artwork guidelines
Set your artwork up for clean, reliable production.
These guidelines help us move faster, reduce pre-press issues and keep the final result aligned with your approved design across fabric, rigid panels, vinyl, lightboxes and printed display surfaces.
Expocrafters works across a range of printed substrates, so artwork needs to be supplied as a final, print-ready PDF that is technically sound and suitable for the intended output.
Fabric, rigid board, adhesive vinyl, backlit media and display surfaces all behave differently in production. Clean artwork setup gives us the best chance of producing a polished result without unnecessary delays.
Supply final print-ready PDF artwork.
Please supply final artwork as a high-resolution, print-ready PDF. This keeps the process clear, avoids missing file issues and helps us move cleanly into production.
- Accepted format: Final print-ready PDF.
- Artwork state: Approved, complete and ready for production.
- Colour mode: CMYK, with PMS references supplied separately for critical brand colours where available.
- Fonts: All fonts must be outlined before the PDF is supplied.
- Images: All images must be embedded in the final PDF.
- Logos: Vector logo artwork should be used within the PDF wherever possible.
- Templates: Use the correct Expocrafters template where supplied. Artwork on the wrong template may need to be corrected before production.
- Working files: Please do not supply open working files, packaged files or linked assets unless specifically requested by Expocrafters.
Build at size where possible.
Artwork should be supplied at full size wherever practical. For very large graphics, scaled artwork may be acceptable, but the resolution must be high enough to scale cleanly to final output size.
- Bleed: Allow 20mm bleed unless a project-specific Expocrafters template states otherwise.
- Scale: 100% scale is preferred for most artwork.
- Large graphics: If artwork exceeds 5 metres, 50% scale may be more practical.
- Scaled artwork: Clearly label the scale used, for example 50% or 10%.
- Safe zones: Keep important text, logos and fine details away from trim edges, joins, seams, pockets, stitching, fixings and frame returns.
CMYK first, PMS where colour is critical.
Please build artwork in CMYK for print. RGB and Hex colours are screen-based references and are not reliable for production print across different materials.
Where brand colour is critical, supply Pantone PMS references. We will use these references to guide production, but final colour can still vary depending on material, print process, lighting and whether the graphic is frontlit, backlit or viewed under venue lighting.
- Preferred colour mode: CMYK.
- Brand colour references: Supply Pantone PMS references where available.
- Avoid: RGB, Hex-only colours, screenshots and screen-based artwork for final production.
- Fabric note: Fabric can print differently to rigid materials due to weave, coating, ink absorption and lighting conditions.
- Lightbox note: Backlit graphics can look different when unlit compared with when illuminated.
- Proofing: For critical colour, allow time for printed swatches or samples before final production.
Match image quality to viewing distance and output size.
Vector artwork is preferred for logos, icons, line art and text-based graphics. Pixel-based images should be supplied at a resolution suitable for the final output size and viewing distance.
- Logos and text: Use vector artwork wherever possible to avoid pixelation.
- Photos and raster images: Aim for at least 100dpi at final output size for large-format graphics.
- Closer viewing: Higher resolution may be needed for counters, plinths, retail displays, small panels and graphics viewed up close.
- Long-distance viewing: Large wall graphics, overhead signage and high-level banners may not need the same resolution as close-viewed display pieces.
- Scaled files: A file supplied at 10% scale needs proportionally higher image resolution to remain sharp at full size.
- Final quality: Production quality will reflect the supplied artwork, especially for low-resolution images, screenshots or flattened files.
Different materials need different thinking.
The same artwork can behave differently across fabric, rigid panels, vinyl, lightboxes and specialist display surfaces. The setup should suit how the graphic will be produced, installed and viewed.
Send final artwork ready for production.
Please send the final print-ready PDF in a way that allows us to download, check and process it without access issues.
- Small files: Email is suitable for small PDF files.
- Large files: Use WeTransfer, Dropbox, Google Drive or another file sharing service.
- Access: Make sure files can be downloaded without restricted account access or passwords.
- Visual proof: Include a flat JPEG, PNG or screenshot of the final artwork for cross-checking.
- Final check: Please proofread all copy, spelling, contact details, QR codes, dates and legal copy before sending.
Common artwork questions.
Do you accept working files?
Our standard requirement is final print-ready PDF artwork. Please do not supply open working files, packaged folders or linked assets unless Expocrafters specifically requests them for a particular project.
Can I supply Canva, PowerPoint or low-resolution artwork?
These files can be useful as a visual reference, but they are not always suitable for large-format production. A print-ready PDF may need to be created before production can proceed.
Do you need PMS colours?
If colour accuracy matters, yes. PMS references give us a stronger target than RGB, Hex or screen-based colour values. Without PMS references, colour will be produced from the supplied CMYK artwork.
Why does colour change between materials?
Different substrates absorb ink and reflect light differently. Fabric, rigid board, vinyl and backlit media will not always produce identical colour, even when using the same artwork file.
Do you proofread artwork?
We check files for production issues, but final proofreading remains the client’s responsibility. Please check spelling, dates, phone numbers, URLs, QR codes and legal copy before signing off artwork.
Can you produce a test print or colour swatch?
Yes, where the project allows. For critical colour, branded fabrics, lightbox skins or high-value graphics, we recommend allowing time for a sample or swatch before final production.
Ready to send artwork?
Send us the final print-ready PDF, PMS references where colour is critical, and a flat visual proof. If the artwork is not yet print-ready, let us know before sending and we can advise what is required.
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