Make sure all of your images are at least 300 dpi (dots-per-inch). For best print results, 300 dpi is recommended. If your images are at a lower resolution, they may print blurry and pixelated. For example, if your jpg is 900 pixels wide by 1200 pixels wide, it is sized to print 3" x 4" (Take the number of pixels and divide by 300 to get your output size).

Make sure your file is sized correctly for output. If you are printing 8"x10", you'll want to make sure your file is sized that way.

Whenever possible, ensure you are using CMYK color space for optimal color output. Our equipment can make this conversion for you in most cases, but to ensure the best output, send your files in CMYK. Learn more

Not all files will require crop marks. Crop Marks are typically required if you are sending your file already imposed. If you are sending it this way, crop marks should be offset from the finished image by 1/8".Bleed & Safe Zones

If images or colors bleed, be sure to include 1/8" bleed on all sides. For example, a full bleed business card would be 2.25" x 3.75". Your project needs bleed if the print needs to extend to the edge of the project/page (e.g. no white border). Also be cautious of the "Safe Zone" on any project involving cutting... make sure any text or other item you don't want to have cut is at least 1/8" in from the trim line. Learn more

Be sure to run spell check before converting your file. It is always a good idea to have a second (or third) pair of eyes proofread your project.

When possible, send your pdf document with outlined fonts, or flattened. If you are sending a Word Doc, Publisher, Illustrator, Photoshop or inDesign File, it is important to also send us any font files we might need.

Be sure you are not using any copyrighted images (e.g. anything you do not have permission to print/use that is owned by someone else). This can vary from images you "found on Google", well known licensed characters such as Spongebob or Winnie the Pooh, to images from professional photographers like Beltrami Studios. If it has a "watermark" on it, odds are you don't have permission to print the file. To be safe, you can purchase images from stock image web sites like DepositPhotos. If you are using a photo from a professional photographer, be sure you have written permission to print the image. CW Creative staff will not print your project if you are using illegal images! Learn More about Copyright.

For best results, send your file as a print-ready pdf (Portable Document File). Adobe PDFs are a universal file format that can be viewed on virtually every computer, regardless of fonts or software that might be installed on the computer. PDF is an ideal format for print documents as they will most accurately reflect the printed outcome. Depending on the software you are using to create your file, you can usually convert your file by looking for something that says "Save As" or "Export As" and setting the outputted file type to pdf. Some programs have a "Convert to Adobe PDF" button built in. You can also use a free pdf conversion software like PrimoPDF.

Steps for Full Bleed using Canva:

1. Turn on bleed - go to "File" then "View Settings' then enable 'Show Print Bleed'. This will show you where your bleed is, you'll see a little gray dotted line - this is the 'cut' line for your poster, so anything outside of the dashed line will not print, however all colors and images do need to extended all the way to the viewable edge outside of that dashed line
2. When you download the pdf file, check the box for 'Crop Marks and bleed'.

Canva: Download a pdf for printing:

1. Click "Share", then "Download".
2. Change the settings as follows:
   1. File type: PDF Print
   2. check the box for 'Crop Marks and bleed'.
   3. Color Profile: CMYK (this is a premium feature, if you do not have paid features, you can still download as RGB format but just know the printed color may not be as accurate.)
3. Click Download. Email me the pdf file it creates.

• CW Resource Center
• Printing Terms Glossary
• CW Creative Blog

At least 300 dpi (dots per inch). Anything lower can print blurry or pixelated. A quick way to check your output size: take your image's pixel dimensions and divide by 300 — so a 900 x 1200 pixel image is sized to print about 3" x 4".

A print-ready PDF is best. PDFs display consistently across computers regardless of fonts or software, so they most accurately reflect the printed result. In most programs you can get one through "Save As" or "Export As" and choosing PDF — some even have a "Convert to Adobe PDF" button.

CMYK whenever possible. CMYK is the color space built for print, so it gives the most accurate color. Our equipment can usually convert for you, but sending files already in CMYK gives you the best results.

Include 1/8" of bleed on all sides any time color or images run to the edge — for example, a full-bleed business card file would be 2.25" x 3.75". The safe zone is the flip side of that: keep any text or important elements at least 1/8" in from the trim line so nothing you care about gets cut off.

Turn on bleed under File ? View Settings ? Show Print Bleed, and extend all colors and images past the dashed cut line. Then download through Share ? Download, choose "PDF Print," check "Crop Marks and bleed," and set the color profile to CMYK if you have Canva's paid features. If not, RGB still works — just know the printed color may be a little less accurate.

No — only images you actually have the rights to. That rules out anything grabbed from Google, licensed characters, or professional photographers' work without written permission, and watermarked images are a clear sign you don't have permission. If you need imagery, stock sites are a safe route. We won't print projects that use images you don't have the rights to.

When possible, send your PDF with fonts outlined or flattened, which prevents them from shifting on our end.

Not reliably on its own. AI can be helpful for brainstorming, writing copy and generating imagery, but print files still need to meet specific requirements for resolution, color, bleed, sizing and fonts. Most AI-generated designs require professional file preparation before they are ready for the press.

Learn where AI can help with print projects—and where it still falls short.