Artwork Guidelines

Supplying your own company logo design

File format

We will require your artwork in an EPS file with all fonts as vectors, also known as converted to outlines. This format is required for most prints, especially if we are printing spot colours (1 colour, 2 colour, 3 colour etc.) or your company design is being engraved.  Where your artwork is being printed full colour or dye sublimation, we can use a high resolution image file, 300 dpi or greater, in a JPG, PNG, PSD or PDF file.  If your artwork has been created in Canva rather than Adobe Illustrator/PhotoShop or similar, please advise us so we can check the suitability before proceeding with print.

Artwork size

When providing your artwork, there are a few things to check before sending us your corporate logo file. Firstly, refer to the print area listed to ensure your artwork will display effectively at that size; make sure your artwork fits within the specified dimensions. Pay attention to details like legibility of fine print and details. Top tip from us – it helps to print your artwork at 100% size to see what it will look like at the print dimensions. If you have different layout formats of your company logo it’s worth playing around to see which is most suited to the print dimensions of the promotional product you wish to purchase.

Print colours

Advise us of your desired colours for printing, referencing standard colour references like Pantone or a CMYK breakdown. Be aware that colours on screen will differ based on individual monitor settings and therefore cannot be used reliably for matching. If you provide us with a CMYK reference for a spot colour printing method, we will match your brand colour to the nearest solid coated Pantone reference. For dark-coloured items, opt for safe printing colours like white. Keep in mind that metallic colours cannot be achieved on most promotional products unless foil blocking is a print option. This is more common on leather items or PU notebooks, for example.

RGB and Hex colour references refer to screen colours only, often used in website design. Please note, we cannot use these references to print promotional products so get in touch and we’ll do our best to help you find the nearest colour match.   

Creativity

When designing your artwork, take a moment to think about your brand design and how it compliments your message and brand image. A simple logo is often quite powerful however sometimes it looks a little plain or lost on a product depending on colours and the item being printed. On a high end product, often less is more and colour contrast can be more subtle to add to the perceived value. A promo item however may lend itself to a full colour graphic with your branding and message incorporated. It's important to allow time to make decisions about your atwork as well as deciding on the product. The two elements work together to exude your brand and deliver your communication so make it count.  

How to send your artwork

You can upload your artwork file to your basket before confirming your order online or alternatively email us your artwork to [email protected]. If your artwork file is too large to email use file-sharing platforms such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer. Simply provide us with the link to download your files. Once your artwork has been received, we'll promptly provide a visual proof on your selected products for approval before proceeding to production.

Need help with your artwork? Use our Artwork Service.

If all of the above seems a little overwhelming, you may prefer us to generate the artwork for you. We'll ask you to send us all the logo files you currently have as a starting point, understand your desired design for the product, consider all the above mentioned points and provide an estimate for the artwork charges. After your approval, we'll create a visual representation based on your requirements and share it with you for feedback. We'll make any necessary amendments until we reach your approval.

Once approved , we'll provide a final PDF print proof showing the design in position on the promotional item you ordered. You'll need to sign off on the artwork before we proceed with production.

We're excited to bring your promotional products to life with top-notch artwork! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance.

Why is file type so important?

The difference between a vector file and an image file.

The primary difference between a vector file and an image file lies in how they represent and store graphic information. Here's an overview of each:

1. Vector File

• Definition: A vector file is a type of graphic that uses mathematical equations to create shapes such as lines, curves, and polygons. It defines the image using points, lines, and curves instead of pixels.
• Scalability: The key advantage of vector files is that they are resolution-independent. This means that you can scale a vector graphic to any size without losing image quality. This makes vector graphics ideal for logos, illustrations, and designs that need to be resized frequently.
• Editing: Vector files are usually created and edited in graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW. Because they consist of mathematical equations, individual elements within a vector graphic can be easily manipulated and modified.
• File Formats: Common vector file formats include .ai (Adobe Illustrator), .eps (Encapsulated PostScript), .svg (Scalable Vector Graphics), and .pdf (Portable Document Format containing vector elements).

2. Image File (Raster or Bitmap):

• Definition: An image file, also known as a raster or bitmap image, is made up of a grid of individual pixels, each assigned a specific colour. Photographs and detailed graphics are often represented as image files.
• Scalability: Unlike vector files, raster images are resolution-dependent. Enlarging them may result in a loss of quality and pixelation because you are essentially stretching the existing pixels – spacing out the dots.
• Editing: Image files are usually edited in raster graphics software like Adobe Photoshop. While you can make various adjustments, such as colour corrections and filters, resizing may compromise image quality.
• File Formats: Common image file formats include .jpg, .png, .gif, and .bmp. These formats are suitable for photographs, digital art, and detailed graphics.
• Resolution: The resolution or quality of an image is specified primarily based on its intended use. A web image is usually 72dpi (dots per inch) ideal for screens, whereas an image for print needs to be a minimum of 300dpi to ensure full coverage and clarity. The lower the resolution, the smaller the file size.

In summary, vectors are best suited for graphics that require scalability and precision, while raster images are more appropriate for detailed photographs and graphics where scalability is not a primary concern. The choice between vector and image files depends on the specific requirements of the design or project.