... Skip to content
+256 702 052 607 info@brandads.co.ug Mon – Sun · Open 24 hours
Uganda’s one-stop printing, branding & signage shop
Chat with usWhatsApp Sign inAccount OrdersTrack 0 Your cartUGX 0 Get a Quote

Artwork Setup Guide

File types, bleed, resolution, colour and fonts — everything you need for perfect print.

Great print starts with a great file. Follow this guide to set up artwork that prints sharp, accurate and on time. Not sure? Send it anyway — we check every file free of charge and fix small issues before printing.

Preferred file types

PDF (best)

Export as PDF/X-1a or High Quality Print with fonts embedded and bleed included.

AI / EPS / CDR

Vector files for logos, signage and vinyl cutting. Outline all fonts.

PSD / TIFF / JPG

Image-based designs at full size and correct resolution, flattened.

Word / PowerPoint

Accepted for documents, but fonts and spacing can shift — export to PDF where possible.

Important

Screenshots, WhatsApp-compressed images and logos copied from websites are usually too low-quality to print. Send the original file.

Size, bleed & safe area

Bleed, trim line and safe area diagram
  • Trim size — the finished size of your item (e.g. business card 85 × 55 mm, A5 148 × 210 mm).
  • Bleed — extend backgrounds and images 3 mm past the trim on every side for small print (cards, flyers, brochures, booklets).
  • Safe area — keep text and logos at least 5 mm inside the trim for small print.
  • Banners — keep important content 30–50 mm from the edges to allow for hems and eyelets.
  • Large formats — supply at full size if you can; otherwise use an exact scale such as 1:10 and tell us.

Resolution

Product Viewing distance Resolution at final size
Business cards, flyers, brochures, books In the hand 300 DPI
Posters, pull-up banners, exhibition graphics 1–3 m 150–200 DPI
PVC banners, building signage 3–10 m 100–150 DPI
Billboards, large vehicle wraps 10 m+ 50–100 DPI
Pro tip

If you design at a reduced scale (e.g. 1:10), multiply the resolution by the same factor — 1:10 artwork for a banner needs 1,000–1,500 DPI at that small size.

Colour (CMYK & brand colours)

  • Design in CMYK. RGB files are converted and bright greens, blues and oranges may look duller in print.
  • Give Pantone references for brand-critical colours and we will match as closely as the process allows.
  • For rich black backgrounds use C40 M30 Y30 K100; keep small black text at K100 only.
  • Screens are backlit, so printed colours always look slightly different. Ask for a printed proof for colour-critical jobs.

Fonts & text

  1. Outline / convert fonts to curves (recommended) in Illustrator, CorelDRAW or InDesign.
  2. Embed fonts when exporting your PDF.
  3. If sending open files, include the font files (where your licence allows).

Minimum text size: 6 pt for small print; for banners and signs make text large and bold enough to read at the viewing distance.

Images & logos

  • Use original photos from a camera or stock library, not social media downloads.
  • Logos should be vector (AI, EPS, SVG, PDF) wherever possible.
  • Avoid tiny text inside photos — it blurs when printed.

Product-specific setup

Business cards

85 × 55 mm + 3 mm bleed = 91 × 61 mm document. Text 5 mm from edge.

Pull-up banners

85 × 200 cm: leave the bottom 10–15 cm free of key content (hidden in the base).

PVC banners

Keep 5 cm clear around edges for hems and eyelets.

Company stamps

Send text lines and logo; we lay it out and send a proof.

T-shirts

Transparent PNG or vector, 300 DPI at print size (e.g. A4 for front prints).

Vehicle wraps

Send the vehicle make/model; we provide a template with door handles and windows.

Finishing allowances

Tell us about folding, binding, eyelets, hems, pole pockets, die-cuts or lamination when you order. Keep content away from folds (at least 3 mm) and from the spine on perfect-bound books (at least 10 mm).

Need assistance?

Our designers can set up, fix or create artwork for you. Choose “I need design help” on any product, or upload your files and we’ll check them before printing.

Upload artwork

Last updated: November 2026

Seraphinite AcceleratorOptimized by Seraphinite Accelerator
Turns on site high speed to be attractive for people and search engines.