Tear Cards

Artwork & Print File Preparation Guidelines

To help us produce the best possible print quality, please prepare your artwork carefully before submitting your order. Proper file setup helps avoid delays, trimming issues, color problems, blurry images, and unexpected print results.

These guidelines apply to most GEM HD Signs, Print & Apparel products, including signs, banners, business cards, flyers, postcards, invitations, graduation products, marketing materials, and custom displays.

1. Accepted File Format

Please submit your final artwork as a print-ready PDF whenever possible.

For best results:

All pages should be included in one single PDF file.
If your project has multiple pages, make sure all pages are the same size.
Artwork must be saved in the correct orientation, either portrait or landscape, based on the final product layout.
Please review your file carefully before uploading to confirm that the front and back sides line up correctly.

2. Bleed Requirement

All print files should include 1/8 inch bleed on each side.

Bleed is the extra artwork that extends beyond the final trim size. It prevents unwanted white edges after cutting.

Example:

If your final product size is 4” x 6”, your artwork file should be 4.25” x 6.25” including bleed.

Please make sure background colors, photos, and design elements that touch the edge extend fully into the bleed area.

3. Safety Margin

Keep all important text, logos, faces, QR codes, and key design elements inside the safety margin.

We recommend keeping important content at least 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch away from the trim edge. For larger signs, banners, and displays, a wider safety margin is recommended.

This helps protect important artwork from being cut off during trimming, finishing, or installation.

4. Avoid Borders Near the Edge

We recommend avoiding thin borders close to the trim line.

Small cutting shifts can happen during production. If a border is too close to the edge, it may appear uneven after trimming. For a cleaner result, use borderless designs or place borders well inside the safety area.

5. Image Resolution

For sharp and professional print quality, all images should be high resolution.

Recommended image quality:

300 DPI for small-format print items such as business cards, flyers, postcards, invitations, and brochures.
For large-format products such as banners, yard signs, vehicle graphics, and tradeshow displays, please use the highest quality artwork available at the correct final size or scale.

Low-resolution images may appear blurry, pixelated, or stretched when printed.

6. Color Mode

For best color accuracy, artwork should be prepared in CMYK color mode.

RGB colors are made for screens and may shift when converted for printing. CMYK files provide more predictable print results.

Please note that printed colors may not look exactly the same as they appear on a phone, tablet, or computer screen because every screen displays color differently.

7. Black Color Setup

For small black text, use:

C: 0 / M: 0 / Y: 0 / K: 100

This creates clean and sharp black text.

For large black backgrounds or large solid black areas, use rich black:

C: 30 / M: 20 / Y: 20 / K: 100

This gives a deeper and stronger black finish without overloading the print with too much ink.

Avoid using very heavy black mixes such as C: 60 / M: 60 / Y: 60 / K: 100, as this may cause drying, registration, or color shift issues.

8. Fonts

Please embed or outline all fonts before submitting your file.

If fonts are not embedded or outlined, they may change when the file is opened for production. This can affect the look, spacing, and layout of your design.

Before uploading, check that all text appears exactly as intended.

9. Hidden Layers and Extra Artwork

Before sending your file, remove all hidden layers that are not part of the final print.

This includes:

Setup guide layers
Template instruction layers
Unused artwork
Hidden logos or text
Old design versions
Crop marks not required by the template

Hidden layers can sometimes appear during file processing, so please delete anything that should not be printed.

10. White Text on Dark Backgrounds

Small white text placed on a dark or rich black background can be difficult to print clearly if it is too thin.

For better readability:

Use a minimum font size of 8 pt where possible.
Use thicker fonts instead of very thin fonts.
Avoid very small white text on rich black backgrounds.
Use a minimum line thickness of 0.75 pt for thin white lines.
Increase the thickness of small knockout text when possible.

This helps prevent white text from filling in or becoming hard to read after printing.

11. QR Codes and Barcodes

If your design includes a QR code or barcode, please keep it clear and easy to scan.

Recommended setup:

Use high contrast, such as black on white.
Avoid placing QR codes too close to the trim edge.
Do not stretch or distort the code.
Test the QR code before submitting your file.
Keep enough white space around the code.

For small printed items, we recommend keeping QR codes large enough for easy scanning.

12. File Orientation

Please submit your artwork in the correct orientation.

Portrait files should be uploaded as portrait.
Landscape files should be uploaded as landscape.
Double-sided files should be checked carefully so the front and back align correctly.

Incorrect orientation may cause delays or incorrect printing.

13. Product-Specific Notes

Signs and Yard Signs

Use bold text, strong contrast, and simple layouts. Signs are usually viewed from a distance, so avoid too much small text.

Banners

Keep important text and logos away from edges, especially if the banner requires hemming, grommets, pole pockets, or finishing.

Business Cards, Flyers, and Postcards

Use 300 DPI images, CMYK color, proper bleed, and safe margins. Keep small text readable.

Vehicle Graphics

Make sure artwork is created to the correct size and scale. Important text should not fall across door handles, curves, or installation areas.

Tradeshow and Display Graphics

Use high-quality images and keep important brand information clearly visible. Large display graphics should be easy to read from a distance.

Apparel Artwork

For apparel printing or decoration, send clean, high-quality artwork. Vector files are preferred for logos, text, and simple graphics.

14. Final Checklist Before Uploading

Before submitting your print file, please confirm:

Your file is saved as a print-ready PDF.
The file includes 1/8 inch bleed.
Important text and logos are inside the safety margin.
Images are high resolution.
Colors are set to CMYK where possible.
Fonts are embedded or outlined.
Hidden template layers are removed.
The artwork is the correct size.
The file orientation is correct.
QR codes are tested and scannable.
Spelling, phone numbers, addresses, and dates are correct.

15. Need Help With Your Artwork?

If you are not sure whether your file is print-ready, GEM HD Signs, Print & Apparel can help review or prepare your design for production.

Our team offers custom design and print support to help your brand, event, or business look professional and memorable.