Designing for print requires more than just creativity—it demands precision. Unlike digital designs, printed materials must consider resolution, color modes, file formatting, and production limitations. Whether you're designing business cards, banners, or packaging, the following guidelines will help ensure crisp, color-accurate, and professional results every time.
1. Use Our Product Templates to Avoid Mistakes
Before you begin designing, always download the correct template from Recycle Displays. Our templates specify sizing, bleed areas, finished dimensions, and safe zones—everything needed to set up your artwork properly.
Note: Custom product templates are available upon request.
2. Image Resolution: Avoiding Blurry or Pixelated Prints
Why Resolution Matters
Print relies on DPI (dots per inch) to determine image clarity. Low-resolution files may look fine on screen but will appear blurry or pixelated in print.
Best Practices:
Small-format prints (business cards, flyers): Use at least 300 DPI.
Large-format prints (banners, posters): 100–150 DPI is acceptable due to longer viewing distances.
Check actual image size: For example, a 2x3 inch image at 300 DPI will lose quality if enlarged to 8x12 inches.
✅ Pro Tip: Use vector graphics (SVG, AI, EPS) for logos and text. Vectors are infinitely scalable and retain sharpness at any size.
3. Color Modes: RGB vs. CMYK vs. Pantone
Screen vs. Print Colors
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is optimized for digital screens. It offers vibrant colors, but many of these cannot be reproduced accurately in print.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is the industry standard for print. Some RGB colors will appear duller when converted.
Pantone (PMS) offers precise, pre-mixed colors. It’s ideal for brand consistency and color-critical projects.
Color Accuracy Tips:
Always design in CMYK when the end goal is print. Avoid last-minute RGB to CMYK conversions.
Request physical proofs, especially for fabric or textured material printing.
Use Pantone colors if exact color matching is essential (e.g. brand logos).
Common Pitfall: A vivid blue in RGB may turn muddy or dark in CMYK—test before you commit.
4. Vector Artwork: Keep It Clean and Scalable
We highly recommend submitting artwork as vector files. Vector art—often referred to as "line art"—can be resized without losing quality, making it perfect for logos, icons, and text.
5. Fonts: Outline or Embed to Avoid Substitution
Different computers may substitute fonts that aren’t available locally. To prevent unwanted replacements:
Convert fonts to outlines, curves, or embed them before submission.
This ensures that your design appears exactly as intended across all platforms.
6. Embedded Images: Prevent Broken Links
Many design programs allow you to either embed or link images in a file. Always embed images before submitting artwork.
Linked images can break when opened on a different computer.
Embedded images stay within the document and won’t be lost in transfer.
7. File Format Guidelines: What NOT to Submit
To ensure a smooth production process, please avoid the following file types:
QuarkXPress, CorelDRAW, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, Pagemaker
Low-resolution scanned images
Files over 2GB InDesign files (unless exported to .PDF or .EPS)—these may incur extra fees or be rejected.
Final Reminder: Trademark & Symbol Size
All trademarked elements (®™, ©, etc.) should be no smaller than 0.5" x 0.5" for clarity and legal compliance.
Need help preparing your files?
Our design team is here to assist. Contact business@recycledisplays.com for file setup or custom template requests.
