Artwork & File Setup

A safe margin is the protected area inside the final trim. QPS commonly recommends keeping important content at least about 5mm from the edge where practical.

300 DPI is a common target for sharp small-format print images at final size. The key phrase is “at final size”: enlarging a small image reduces its effective resolution.

Bleed is extra artwork outside the final cut size. A common requirement is 3mm on each side so background colours and images still reach the edge after normal trimming variation.

A QR code can fail in print even when it worked on screen if it is too small, low contrast, distorted or crowded. Test the final exported artwork at the intended printed size.

A print-ready PDF should already be the correct final size, include required bleed, keep important content inside safe margins and contain the final approved text and images.

RGB is designed for light-emitting screens, while CMYK is the standard colour model used by many print processes. Converting artwork to CMYK helps reveal colour shifts before production.