Print-ready tips
Printing guides
Print-ready checklist
File format
PDF is best. AI, PSD and EPS are welcome, and high-resolution JPG or PNG work too. From Canva, download as "PDF Print".
Resolution
150–300 dpi at the actual print size. Photos saved from Facebook or Messenger are usually too small for big prints.
Colour
Design in CMYK when you can. Very bright RGB greens, blues and oranges print slightly duller on paper and tarp.
Bleed & safe margin
Extend the background 0.125 in (3 mm) past the edge and keep text at least 3 mm inside, so nothing important gets trimmed.
Before you send your file
- Check spelling, names, dates and numbers. We print exactly what you approve on the proof.
- Outline or embed your fonts (in Illustrator: Type → Create Outlines). If you send a Canva or Word file, export it as PDF so the fonts don't change.
- Send the original photo, not a screenshot or a picture forwarded many times through chat — those get blurry when printed big.
- Size it right. Set your document to the final size, e.g. 3x5 ft for a tarp or 2x3.5 in for a calling card.
- Thin lines and small text — keep lines at least 0.25 pt and text at least 6 pt on small items like labels and cards.
Sizes at a glance
- Tarpaulins: 2x3, 3x4, 3x5, 4x6, 4x8 ft or custom — 100–150 dpi at full size is plenty because tarps are viewed from a distance.
- Flyers & posters: A6, A5, A4, A3 and up — 300 dpi.
- Stickers & labels: any size or shape; for die-cut stickers, include the cut line or tell us to make it.
- Shirts: PNG with a transparent background works best for DTF prints.
Sending a big file
Files over 25 MB — big tarp layouts, offset jobs, many photos — are easiest to send with a free transfer service:
- Upload your file to WeTransfer, Google Drive or Smash (links below).
- Copy the download link. On Google Drive, set sharing to "Anyone with the link".
- Paste the link in the "Link to your file" box on our quote form, or send it to us on Messenger or Viber.
Transfer links usually expire after a few days, so send the link when you're ready to order.
No design yet?
Our in-house artists can make it. Send the text, photos and theme you want, and we will send a proof for approval before printing.
In-depth guides
All news & articles
Election campaign printing checklist: tarps, pamaypay, stickers and shirts
Everything a candidate or campaign team usually prints — with prices, minimums and lead times so nothing arrives late.
Calling card printing in Santa Cruz, Laguna: paper, sides and quantity
Calling cards still close deals. How to choose paper and finish, what to put on the card, and how many to order.
T-shirt printing in Laguna: custom DTF shirts or bring your own shirt?
No minimum order, full-colour prints — here is how to choose between a printed shirt, print-only and sublimation jerseys.
Sticker printing in Laguna: die-cut stickers, kiss-cut labels or seal stickers?
Die-cut, kiss-cut or seal stickers? Which one fits your product, packaging or merch — with prices and minimum orders.
Graduation and moving-up tarpaulin: what to include and when to order
A classic for every Filipino graduate — what to write on the tarp, which photo works best, and how to avoid the March rush.
Tarpaulin printing in Santa Cruz, Laguna: prices, sizes and same-day release
How much a tarpaulin costs, which material to choose, and how to get it printed the same day in Santa Cruz, Laguna.
Tarpaulin size guide: 2x3, 3x5 or 4x6 ft — which one do you need?
Choosing the right tarp size depends on where it will hang and how far away people will read it. Here is a quick guide.
How to prepare a print-ready file (even if you use Canva)
Blurry prints and cut-off text are almost always file problems. Five checks before you send your design.
Digital vs offset printing: which is cheaper for your order?
Short runs go digital, big runs go offset. Here is where the line is and why.
