--- title: Print-ready artwork requirements | Empine Group description: What we need from your artwork, why colours change between screen and print, and quick guides for Canva, Figma and Adobe Express users. --- [Skip to content](https://www.empine.co.uk/print-ready-artwork#main-content) [![empine-primary-logo-CMYK-Light-1](https://www.empine.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/empine-primary-logo-CMYK-Light-1.png?width=8000&height=4324&name=empine-primary-logo-CMYK-Light-1.png)Homepage](https://www.empine.co.uk?hsLang=en-gb) - [what we do](https://www.empine.co.uk/whatwedo?hsLang=en-gb) - [web2print](https://www.empine.co.uk/whatwedo/web2print?hsLang=en-gb) - [direct mail](https://www.empine.co.uk/whatwedo/directmail?hsLang=en-gb) - [events](https://www.empine.co.uk/whatwedo/events?hsLang=en-gb) - [signage](https://www.empine.co.uk/whatwedo/signage?hsLang=en-gb) - [promotional items](https://www.empine.co.uk/whatwedo/promotionalmerchandise?hsLang=en-gb) - [packaging](https://www.empine.co.uk/whatwedo/packaging?hsLang=en-gb) - [marketing](https://www.empine.co.uk/whatwedo/marketing?hsLang=en-gb) - [who we help](https://www.empine.co.uk/whowehelp?hsLang=en-gb) - [charities](https://www.empine.co.uk/whowehelp/charities?hsLang=en-gb) - [businesses](https://www.empine.co.uk/print-management-solutions-businesses?hsLang=en-gb) - [education](https://www.empine.co.uk/whowehelp/education?hsLang=en-gb) - discover - [insights](https://www.empine.co.uk/insights?hsLang=en-gb) - [faqs](https://www.empine.co.uk/faqs?hsLang=en-gb) - [pricing](https://www.empine.co.uk/pricing?hsLang=en-gb) - [about us](https://www.empine.co.uk/about?hsLang=en-gb) - [empine print management](https://www.empine.co.uk/about/empineprintmanagement?hsLang=en-gb) - [Forsyth & Steele](https://www.forsythandsteele.com/) - [Invogue Incentives](https://invogue.co.uk/) - [become a supplier](https://www.empine.co.uk/become-a-supplier?hsLang=en-gb) - [case studies](https://www.empine.co.uk/see-our-work?hsLang=en-gb) [contact us](https://www.empine.co.uk/contactus?hsLang=en-gb) - [what we do](https://www.empine.co.uk/whatwedo?hsLang=en-gb) - [web2print](https://www.empine.co.uk/whatwedo/web2print?hsLang=en-gb) - [direct mail](https://www.empine.co.uk/whatwedo/directmail?hsLang=en-gb) - [events](https://www.empine.co.uk/whatwedo/events?hsLang=en-gb) - [signage](https://www.empine.co.uk/whatwedo/signage?hsLang=en-gb) - [promotional items](https://www.empine.co.uk/whatwedo/promotionalmerchandise?hsLang=en-gb) - [packaging](https://www.empine.co.uk/whatwedo/packaging?hsLang=en-gb) - [marketing](https://www.empine.co.uk/whatwedo/marketing?hsLang=en-gb) - [who we help](https://www.empine.co.uk/whowehelp?hsLang=en-gb) - [charities](https://www.empine.co.uk/whowehelp/charities?hsLang=en-gb) - [businesses](https://www.empine.co.uk/print-management-solutions-businesses?hsLang=en-gb) - [education](https://www.empine.co.uk/whowehelp/education?hsLang=en-gb) - discover - [insights](https://www.empine.co.uk/insights?hsLang=en-gb) - [faqs](https://www.empine.co.uk/faqs?hsLang=en-gb) - [pricing](https://www.empine.co.uk/pricing?hsLang=en-gb) - [about us](https://www.empine.co.uk/about?hsLang=en-gb) - [empine print management](https://www.empine.co.uk/about/empineprintmanagement?hsLang=en-gb) - [Forsyth & Steele](https://www.forsythandsteele.com/) - [Invogue Incentives](https://invogue.co.uk/) - [become a supplier](https://www.empine.co.uk/become-a-supplier?hsLang=en-gb) - [case studies](https://www.empine.co.uk/see-our-work?hsLang=en-gb) [contact us](https://www.empine.co.uk/contactus?hsLang=en-gb) Print-ready artwork # your brand.printed right. Colours that look perfect on screen can print very differently. This page sets out exactly what we need from your artwork, why it matters, and what happens if files arrive in a different format, so your brand looks the way you intended every time. [See what we need](https://www.empine.co.uk/print-ready-artwork#requirements)[Use the checklist](https://www.empine.co.uk/print-ready-artwork#checklist) ![1080x1080px - V3](https://www.empine.co.uk/hubfs/Website%20Files/1080x1080px%20-%20V3.png) Why colour changes ## same colour.different result. Screens and printed pages make colour in completely different ways. A screen shines light at you, so it can show very bright, saturated colours. Paper reflects light through ink, and ink cannot reach every colour a screen can show. RGB ### Made with light Red, green and blue light. Used by monitors, phones, websites and most online design tools. CMYK ### Made with ink Cyan, magenta, yellow and black ink. Used for leaflets, brochures, signage and most print. When an RGB file goes to print, any colour outside the ink range has to be converted to the nearest colour ink can make. Bright blues, greens, oranges and purples shift the most. Screen (RGB) Print (CMYK) vivid on screen nearest ink colour ### We have this challenge too Our own brand violet is bright and punchy on screen. In print it is always a little calmer. Because our brand guidelines set an exact CMYK value for it, it prints the same way every time. That consistency is what we want for your brand too. On screen HEX #7E33FF · RGB 126 / 51 / 255 ![in-print\_1](https://www.empine.co.uk/hubfs/in-print_1.png) CMYK 68 / 76 / 0 / 0 Screens cannot show exactly how ink will look on paper, so on-screen previews are a guide only. For colour-critical work, ask us for a printed proof. Artwork requirements ## what we need.every time. Files supplied this way go straight to print with no surprises, no delays and no extra cost. It is your responsibility to supply artwork that meets these requirements. If it does not, the printed result may differ from what you see on screen. CMYK ### Colours set up for print Artwork in CMYK, with your brand's official CMYK or Pantone values. Hex codes alone are not enough for print. PDF ### A print-ready PDF A high-quality PDF, ideally PDF/X-4. Please avoid sending JPGs, PNGs or links to online designs. 3mm ### Bleed on every edge Backgrounds and images extended 3mm past the finished size, so there are no white edges after trimming. \[5mm\] ### A safe zone Text, logos and key details kept at least \[5mm\] inside the finished edge, so nothing is trimmed off. 300dpi ### Sharp images Images at 300dpi at the size they will print. Pictures saved from websites or social media are usually too small. Aa ### Fonts included Fonts embedded in the PDF or converted to outlines, so your text prints exactly as designed. If files arrive differently ## what happens.and what it means. We check every file before it prints, and if we spot something that is not quite right, we will always let you know before going ahead. However, we cannot be held responsible for print issues caused by artwork that does not meet our requirements, including colour shifts, white edges, trimmed text or blurry images. Once you approve a file or proof, it will be printed as approved. | Issue | What you may see in print | What we will do | | --- | --- | --- | | Supplied in RGB | Bright colours look duller or shift in tone. Brand colours may not match previous print. | We will let you know and send this back to you to correct. | | No CMYK or Pantone values | Brand colours vary between jobs and suppliers. | We will let you know and send this back to you to correct. We recommend getting a designer to colour match this and add the colours to your brand guidelines for consistency going forward. | | No bleed | Thin white lines along trimmed edges. | We will let you know. You'll need to extend artwork where possible and send it back to us. We can help if needed. | | Low-resolution images | Soft, blurry or pixelated photos. | Flag it and ask for higher-quality images before printing. | | Fonts missing | Text reflows or prints in the wrong font. | Ask for an updated file with fonts embedded or outlined. | | Larger artwork fixes | Delays while files are corrected. | We can offer design support, and we will let you know the price for this in advance. | ### Colour shift ![colour-shift-expected](https://www.empine.co.uk/hubfs/colour-shift-expected.png) ![colour-shift-rgb-file](https://www.empine.co.uk/hubfs/colour-shift-rgb-file.png) A bright brand blue supplied in RGB, printed next to the same design set up in CMYK. ### Missing bleed ![missing-bleed-with-bleed](https://www.empine.co.uk/hubfs/missing-bleed-with-bleed.png) ![missing-bleed-no-bleed](https://www.empine.co.uk/hubfs/missing-bleed-no-bleed.png) A close-up of a trimmed edge, showing the thin white line that appears without bleed. ### Low resolution ![low-resolution-300dpi](https://www.empine.co.uk/hubfs/low-resolution-300dpi.png) ![low-resolution-72dpi](https://www.empine.co.uk/hubfs/low-resolution-72dpi.png) A photo taken from a website and enlarged for a poster, next to the original high-resolution image. Quick guides ## designed online.made for print. Many teams now design in Canva, Figma or Adobe Express which is great for digital but for print **we would always recommend  InDesign & Illustrator. For any other tool we are unable to guarantee results.** If that's not possible, choose your tool for the steps to make sure you get the best result. Canva Figma Adobe Express InDesign & Illustrator ### Exporting from Canva 1. Create your design at the finished size using **Custom size** in millimetres. 2. Turn on **Show print bleed** in the File menu's view settings, and stretch backgrounds to the outer edge. 3. Click **Share**, then **Download**, and choose **PDF Print**. 4. Tick **Crop marks and bleed** and **Flatten PDF**. 5. Under **Color profile**, choose **CMYK**, then download. The CMYK option needs a paid Canva plan. On the free plan, send the RGB PDF and we will convert it and show you a proof. ![images-1](https://www.empine.co.uk/hubfs/images-1.png) ### Preparing Figma files for print Figma is built for screens. It has no built-in CMYK export or bleed settings, so a little planning goes a long way. 1. Make your frame 3mm larger than the finished size on every side, and extend backgrounds to its edge. 2. Keep text and logos at least \[5mm\] inside the finished size. 3. Place images large enough for 300dpi at the printed size. 4. Outline text, or send us the font files. 5. Export as PDF and send us your brand's CMYK or Pantone values. For colour-critical or large jobs, we recommend finishing the artwork in a print tool such as InDesign or Illustrator. If that is not part of your workflow, we can do it for you. ![figma logo](https://www.empine.co.uk/hubfs/figma%20logo.png) ### Exporting from Adobe Express 1. Create your design at the finished print size. 2. Click **Download** and choose **PDF Print** as the file format. 3. Turn on **Add crop marks** and **Show bleed**. 4. Leave the colour mode set to **CMYK**. 5. Click **Download** and send us the PDF. If you are using exact brand colours, let us know your CMYK or Pantone values so we can check them against your file. ![images (1)](https://www.empine.co.uk/hubfs/images%20(1).png) ### Exporting from InDesign or Illustrator 1. Set up the document in CMYK, at the finished size, with 3mm bleed. 2. Use your brand's CMYK values, or Pantone swatches where your brand uses them. 3. Export as Adobe PDF using the **PDF/X-4** preset. 4. In **Marks and Bleeds**, tick crop marks and use the document bleed settings. Using Pantone colours? Tell us when you send the file, so we can confirm whether the job prints with spot inks or converts to CMYK. ![Untitled - 15 October 2026 at 10.06.14](https://www.empine.co.uk/hubfs/Untitled%20-%2015%20October%202026%20at%2010.06.14.png) Before you send ## quick check.then send it over. Work through these before sending your file. If you cannot tick them all, tell us when you send it. We will flag anything we spot and help where we can, but the final print will reflect the artwork supplied. 0 of 8 checked ![Golf Buggies - Foamex Boards](https://www.empine.co.uk/hubfs/Golf%20Buggies%20-%20Foamex%20Boards.jpeg) - My file is a PDF, ideally PDF/X-4. - Colours are set up in CMYK, using our official brand values. - I have told Empine about any Pantone colours. - The design is at the finished size. - There is 3mm bleed on every edge. - Text and logos are inside the safe zone. - Images are 300dpi at the printed size. - Fonts are embedded or outlined. ## not sure.send it over. You do not need to be a print expert. Send us your file before it goes to print and we will check it, explain anything that needs changing, and make sure your brand looks right. 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