Guide to Preparing Print Files (Professional Edition)
6 Essential Tips for Sharp, Accurate Prints with True-to-Life Colors
🎨 1. Color Mode
Why do this? Computer monitors display colors using light (RGB), but printers use ink (CMYK). If you send an RGB file, the printer will convert the colors itself, causing the colors to become "dull" immediately.
- The file must be set to CMYK Color only.
- How to check: Go to the Image menu > Mode > CMYK Color.
🔍 2. Resolution
Why do we need to do this? Images that look clear on a mobile screen may become pixelated when printed because printed materials require four times higher resolution than screen images.
- For general purposes (business cards/brochures): 300 DPI or higher is required (life-size).
- Large vinyl banner printing: 100-150 DPI is acceptable.
✂️ 3. Bleed
Why is this necessary? Paper cutters may have a margin of error of 1-2 mm. If you don't leave a margin, you might end up with "white edges" or "missing text."
- Bleed: The background needs to extend 2 mm beyond the actual image boundaries on each side.
- Margin: Position the text/logo at least 3 mm from the edge.
🔤 4. Text (Create Outlines)
Why do this? To prevent "font pop-up" or changing its format automatically when opened on another device.
- You always need to convert the text to a vector (Create Outlines).
- Or embed the fonts directly into the PDF file.
⚪ 5. White Ink / White Undercoat
Why is this necessary? CMYK inks are “translucent.” When printed on transparent materials (clear stickers/PET) or colored materials (holograms/foil/kraft paper), the colors blend into the background. You must first print a “white ink” underlay so the colors appear as vibrant as intended in the design.
| Print Mode | Results | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
( Standard Edition) | Translucent color; the background shows through the print | I want a translucent effect that shows the material's texture, such as a hologram that allows light to pass through and create a rainbow effect. |
| White with patterns only in certain areas; the colors are vivid and sharp, and the blank spaces remain clear | Clear/PET stickers that make your logo stand out while still allowing the background material to show through (most popular) | |
| Solid white background, as if printed on a white sticker | Work that requires colors to match the screen exactly—no brightness adjustment needed |
- Separate the white ink layer, name it “White,” and place it at the top
- Fill the White layer with a spot color (name the swatch “White”) or 100% K —do not use true white (0/0/0/0), as the printer will interpret it as “do not print.”
- Set the swatch to " Overprint " to prevent it from bleeding through the CMYK colors underneath.
- Leave any areas where you do not want white ink blank (with no objects on that layer).
⚠️ Caution: White ink will be printed exactly according to the shape defined in the White layer. If you design the white area to extend even 0.5 mm beyond the colored design, a distinct “white border” will be visible. — We recommend reducing the White layer’s bleed (Choke) by approximately 0.2–0.3 mm so that it is slightly smaller than the colored design .
✨ 6. Spot UV Coating
Why do this? Spot UV glossy Spot UV specific areas (such as a logo) to create a contrast with the matte background—the printer needs to know “which areas to coat and which not to coat,” so a separate file must be provided to specify the positions, rather than printing them together with the color.
- Create a new layer and name it “SpotUV” or “Varnish”
- Areas to be coated should be filled with 100% K (solid black) — leave uncoated areas blank
- Only vector graphics are allowed. Do not use raster images or gradients, as the coating can only be “coated/uncoated” with no intermediate levels.
- The position must align exactly with the colored pattern in the master file (same paper size and reference points).
⚠️ Caution: The system has a positioning tolerance of approximately 0.2–0.5 mm. — Avoid applying Spot UV 8pt or lines thinner than 0.3 mm, as misalignment may cause smudging .
