Art Specs - Color Profiles & Print Prep Guide for Artists
The Basic Print Specifications
Welcome! We're here to help you achieve the best possible print quality for your artwork. Whether you're a seasoned designer or new to print production, this guide will walk you through everything you need to prepare your files for professional printing. Follow these specifications to ensure your prints come out exactly as you envision them.
Resolution for Printing
All artwork must be submitted at 300 DPI (dots per inch) for optimal print quality. Lower resolution files may result in pixelated or blurry prints. We will contact you via email if there are resolution issues with your files.
Color Mode: CMYK
Please ensure your artwork is in CMYK color mode, rather than RGB. CMYK is the standard for professional printing. and helps with accurate color reproduction. RGB files may experience color shifts when printed. Digital proofs are useful tools for catching color shifts.
Bleed Area
A 0.125" (1/8 inch) bleed is required on all sides of your artwork. The bleed area ensures that your design extends beyond the final trim size, preventing white edges due to slight variations during cutting. Keep important text and design elements at least 0.25" inside the trim line (safety margin).
Focus on Color
Achieving perfect color in your prints is essential for artists selling online or in galleries. Differences between RGB screens and CMYK printing can lead to unexpected shifts in hue, saturation, or brightness.
Digital Proofs for Peace of Mind
Our team can provide a PDF digital proof before printing. This allows you to check color, layout, and size before committing to a larger run. Digital proofs reduce surprises and give you confidence that your final prints will look exactly as intended.
Additional Tips for Artists
- Calibrate your monitor regularly to maintain consistent color accuracy.
- Consider ordering a small test print for new artworks or colors.
- Keep your original files in layered, editable formats for future adjustments. Send us flattened PDF files.
Print Sizes & Specifications
Below are some of our standard print sizes with bleed dimensions and pixel requirements at 300 DPI:
| Trim Size | Size with Bleed | Pixel Dimensions (300 DPI) |
|---|---|---|
| 2" × 6" | 2.25" × 6.25" | 675 × 1875 px |
| 2" × 7" | 2.25" × 7.25" | 675 × 2175 px |
| 3" × 3" | 3.25" × 3.25" | 975 × 975 px |
| 3.5" × 2" | 3.75" × 2.25" | 1125 × 675 px |
| 3" × 4" | 3.25" × 4.25" | 975 × 1275 px |
| 3" × 5" | 3.25" × 5.25" | 975 × 1575 px |
| 4" × 6" | 4.25" × 6.25" | 1275 × 1875 px |
| 5" × 7" | 5.25" × 7.25" | 1575 × 2175 px |
| 6" × 9" | 6.25" × 9.25" | 1875 × 2775 px |
| 8" × 10" | 8.25" × 10.25" | 2475 × 3075 px |
| 8" × 12" | 8.25" × 12.25" | 2475 × 3675 px |
| 8.5" × 11" | 8.75" × 11.25" | 2625 × 3375 px |
| 9" × 12" | 9.25" × 12.25" | 2775 × 3675 px |
| 11" × 17" | 11.25" × 17.25" | 3375 × 5175 px |
| 12" × 18" | 12.25" × 18.25" | 3675 × 5475 px |
| 13" × 19"** | 13" × 19" | 3900 × 5700 px |
| 16" × 20"* | 16" × 20"* | 4800 × 6000 px |
| 18" × 24"* | 18" × 24"* | 5400 × 7200 px |
| 20" × 30"* | 20" × 30"* | 6000 × 9000 px |
| 24" × 36"* | 24" × 36"* | 7200 × 10800 px |
*Extra trim area not required for large format
** 13x19 requires borders. Printed image will be 12.5" x 18.5"
View more measurements at our Inches to Pixels to Centimeters guide.
We're Here to Help
Not sure if your files are ready? Don't worry! Our team is happy to review your artwork and help you get everything set up correctly. We'll work with you to ensure your files meet all specifications before we start printing.
Your satisfaction is our priority. We won't begin production until your files are perfect and you're completely confident in how your prints will turn out. If you have questions about resolution, color modes, bleed areas, or anything else, just reach out—we're here to make the process as smooth as possible.
Need a custom size or have special requirements? Contact us, and we'll be happy to discuss your project!