Formating Print Data – How to prepare your file correctly
In most cases, your print data is checked automatically and forwarded directly to production. Manual control is not performed by default. Therefore, it is even more important that your file is set up correctly from the start. This is the only way to ensure your product is manufactured precisely and without delays.
Below you will find the most important requirements for file creation clearly summarized.
Check product-specific requirements
Technical specifications differ depending on the product and material. Please check the respective file requirements after configuring your desired product. There you will find all relevant information such as bleed, minimum sizes, or special processing instructions.
Use print templates
If a print template is available for your product, we strongly recommend using it. The templates already contain all important measurements and facilitate the correct design of your file.
Adding bleed
Add sufficient bleed to your design. This extra margin prevents unwanted white edges when cutting. The exact bleed allowance is product-specific and must be strictly observed.
Recommended resolution
- For stickers and classic print products: 300 dpi
- For many other materials: 150 dpi
- For large-format prints, high resolution is often not required and frequently not technically feasible.
Make sure to set the resolution correctly during the design phase.
Submit multiple designs
In most cases, you can submit several different motifs at no extra charge. Certain print products such as classic stickers or stationery are excluded. Please check the respective product details here.
Create cut contours (for custom shapes)
If you order a product in a custom shape, you must create the cut contour yourself as a vector line in your file.
No additional contour required for rectangular or square products.
View instructions for cut lines
Double-sided printing
For products printed on both sides, the front and back must be fully created and correctly aligned. Please ensure that both sides are fully designed and ready for print.
Correct setup for white ink printing
If white ink is to be used specifically, it must be defined as a separate layer or spot color in the file. Automatic detection does not occur.
Drill holes
If you want to determine the position of drill holes yourself (e.g., for contour-cut panels), these must be drawn exactly in your file.
For standard drill holes on rectangular products, the holes are placed automatically according to the selected option.
Eyelets for textile or banner material
For individual shapes or freely positioned eyelets, the desired points must be marked in your file. In all other cases, placement is automatic.
Grooving
If a panel material is to be grooved, the groove lines must be clearly created in your print file.
Embed fonts or convert to paths
If you use text elements, the fonts used should be embedded or converted into paths (vector outlines). This avoids display problems during production.
Suitable file formats
We recommend delivery as a print-ready PDF.
JPG files are generally possible but can be problematic, especially if color profiles are embedded.
No crop marks or registration marks
Please deliver your file without crop marks, registration marks, or other print markings. These would be printed or cut off.
Special products like flat print sheets are an exception.
Note minimum font size
To ensure text remains legible, you should consider the product-specific recommended minimum font size. This varies depending on the material.
Minimum line width
Very thin lines cannot be reproduced cleanly on certain materials. Therefore, please observe the respective minimum line width to avoid unwanted effects.
Automatic splitting of large formats
If your motif exceeds the maximum print dimensions of the selected material, it will be automatically split into several segments.
For banners or textiles, these will be professionally joined later. You do not need to split your file yourself.
Design large formats to scale
Very large formats often cannot be created at original scale in graphic programs. In this case, you can create your design proportionally scaled down and later scale it to the final size during upload.
Other important notes
- Complex files with many layers, transparencies, or effects should be rasterized before export.
- Cutting machines work very precisely, yet minimal deviations of a few millimeters are possible. Therefore, do not place important elements directly at the edge.
- Avoid using surrounding borders, as they can look visibly uneven in the case of minimal shifts.
- The maximum file size is 500 MB.
- For reverse-side printing on transparent materials (e.g., plexiglass), the file must be created mirrored.
- The same applies to window films that are applied inside but read from outside.
- Brochures must be created as single pages and not as double pages (spreads). The file begins with the front cover and ends with the back cover.