Artwork Setup Guidelines 

 

Great print results start with properly prepared files. Designing for print is different from designing for websites, social media, or digital screens. 

 

To help us produce the highest quality results, please review the following guidelines before submitting your artwork through Central City Prints. 

 

Basic File Requirements 

 

Before submitting artwork, please make sure your file meets the following requirements: 

 
1. Correct Size & Bleed

Projects that print all the way to the edge of the page require a bleed. 

 

Bleed means the artwork extends slightly beyond the final cut size so there are no unwanted white edges after trimming. 

 

Central City Prints requires: 

Bleed Size: 

0.25″ (1/4inch) on all sides unless otherwise specified. 

 

Example: Standard Business Card 

Finished Size: 

3.5″ × 2″ 

 

File Size With Bleed: 

3.75″ × 2.25″ 

 

Please extend backgrounds, images, and colors into the bleed area. 

 

2. Safety Area

Because printed pieces are trimmed after printing, important content should stay inside the safe area. 

 

Keep the following away from the edge: 

 

• Text 
• Logos 
• Important images 
• Important design elements 

 

Recommended Safety Margin: 

 

• 0.25″ (1/4 inch) inside the final cut size. 

 

This helps prevent important information from being trimmed during finishing. 

 

3. Image Resolution

Print requires higher quality files than digital screens. 

 

Recommended Resolution: 

 

• 300 DPI 

 

Low-resolution images may appear: 

 

• Blurry 
• Pixelated 
• Soft 

 

Avoid using images downloaded from websites or search engines, as they are usually optimized for screens instead of printing. 

 

4. Color Quality & Expectations

Central City Prints is committed to producing high-quality prints using professional printing standards. However, it is important to understand that colors may appear differently between digital screens and final printed materials. 

Computer monitors, phones, and tablets display colors using RGB light, while professional printing uses CMYK inks/toners. Because every screen displays color differently, the final printed piece may not exactly match what appears on your device. 

 

To achieve the best color results: 

• • Design files in CMYK color mode whenever possible 

• • Use high-resolution images 

• • Review colors before submitting final artwork 

• • Avoid relying only on screen previews for exact color matching

Please note: 

• • Slight color variations can occur during the printing process 

• • RGB files converted to CMYK may experience color changes 

• • Black, dark gray, and neutral tones may shift if they are not properly prepared 

• • Specialty finishes or coatings may slightly affect the final appearance of printed colors

Digital proofs are provided to confirm layout, spelling, placement, and overall design setup. Proofs may not represent an exact color match due to differences in screen displays. For projects requiring precise color matching, please contact Central City Prints before production so we can discuss available options. 

 

Recommended Black Settings: 

• • Rich Black 
    • Large black areas/backgrounds: 
    • C:50 M:40 Y:40 K:100 
  • Standard Black 
    • Small text: 
    • C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:100 
             

5.Fonts

Fonts may display differently between computers and printing systems. 

To prevent font changes: 

• Outline fonts, or Embed fonts when saving your PDF 
  
  

This ensures your design prints exactly as intended. 

 

6. File Format

For best print quality, submit: 

• • High-resolution PDF 

 

Recommended: 

• • PDF with embedded fonts 
  • Vector artwork when available 
  • Correct bleed included 
  • High-resolution images 

 

Other accepted formats may require review before production. 

 

Need Assistance? 

If you are unsure whether your file is print-ready, Central City Prints can review your artwork before production.  Our goal is to help your project look professional from design to final print.