Setting up print files: format, resolution, colours, cut lines
A PDF at final size (or at 1:10 with a note), images at 100–150 dpi at final size for banners and large format and 300 dpi for stickers, colours in CMYK, fonts converted to paths, 3 mm bleed — with that, almost every file is ready to print. For cut lines, a spot colour named “CutContour” drawn as an outline; for cut vinyl lettering, a vector file with outlines.
The ground rules
- Format: PDF preferred (PDF/X-4 or PDF/X-1a). Also AI, EPS, SVG; images as TIFF, PNG or JPG in high quality.
- Scale: set up at final size. Above 5 m on a side at 1:10 — and note the scale in the file name.
- Resolution: 100–150 dpi at final size for banners, posters, wallpaper and boards; 300 dpi for stickers and anything under A3. An image cannot be sharpened afterwards — the original decides.
- Colours: CMYK. RGB is converted and may shift slightly; luminous RGB tones do not exist in print. Spot colours only where they are meant (neon, cut line).
- Fonts: convert to paths/curves so nothing reflows. At least 5 mm letter height on film and board, 10 cm on mesh.
- Bleed and safe area: extend the background 3 mm beyond the final size; keep text and logos 5 mm from the edge — 5 cm on banners, because the hem and eyelets sit there.
- Layers and effects: flatten transparencies, cut lines on their own layer, no crop marks or registration marks in the picture.
Per product
| Product | Largest piece | Particular |
|---|---|---|
| PVC banner, mesh banner | 3.2 m seamless, welded above that | Text 5 cm from the edge; design mesh large and with strong contrast |
| Printed self-adhesive vinyl | 148 cm short side; wider from panels | Contour cut as the spot colour “CutContour”; for panelled prints you get a digital view of the panel split first |
| Die-cut stickers | 30 × 30 cm | PNG with a transparent background or PDF with “CutContour”; 2–3 mm bleed, 2 mm safe area |
| Cut vinyl lettering | 122 cm short side per piece | Vector only (PDF, AI, SVG) with outlines — no photos; or type the text directly |
| Forex®, Dibond, acrylic | 300 × 200 / 146 × 300 / 200 × 300 cm | Choose drill holes and shaped cut when ordering; for acrylic printed from the back we mirror the design |
| Posters | 158 cm short side (150 g), 148 cm (200 g), billboard any size | Length is free — 300 × 100 cm fits the 158 cm roll |
| Photo wallpaper | Panels ~100 cm wide, up to 30 × 4 m | Wall size plus 3–5 cm allowance; picture at least 100 dpi at wall size |
The cut line
Where the cut should go, draw the line as an outline (no fill) in a spot colour named “CutContour”, 100 % colour, on its own layer. For stickers cut right through, the second line is called “Die Cut”. Without a cut line of your own we trace it around the artwork automatically for stickers — with 3 mm of white — and you see it in the preview before you order.
Products in this guide
- PVC banner · Price table
- Self-adhesive vinyl print · Price table
- Stickers · Price table
- Cut vinyl lettering
- Forex® · Price table
- Photo poster (satin) · Price table
Questions
Is a picture from the internet enough?
Almost never: web images are 72 dpi and a few centimetres large. At banner size they blur. Use the original file from the camera or the design program.
What is the difference between 1:1 and 1:10?
1:1 means the document has the size of the print (e.g. 300 × 100 cm). 1:10 means it is ten times smaller (30 × 10 cm) — then the images in it must be ten times the resolution (1000–1500 dpi in the document).
I only have a Word or PowerPoint document.
Save it as a PDF; fonts are embedded on the way. Check the page size — office programs are set to A4 and do not scale cleanly to banner size.
Can you do the design for me?
Yes — graphic design is a service of its own, from the logo to the print-ready file. Send us what you have through the request page.
Which colour profile should I use?
CMYK with ISO Coated v2 (FOGRA39) — the usual default in InDesign and Illustrator. RGB files are converted; vivid RGB tones can come out duller.
How big may the file be?
For banners and wallpaper 100–150 dpi at final size is enough. The upload in the configurator takes the file; a very large one can come as a link to a cloud folder in the request.
More guides
- How long does vehicle lettering last?
- Which film for the shop window?
- Are printed stickers weatherproof?
- Photo wallpaper: how do I measure the wall, and how is it hung?
- Are floor stickers anti-slip, and which floors do they hold on?
- How large can a banner be — and how is it fixed?
- Forex, Dibond or acrylic — which board for which sign?
- PVC banner or mesh banner?
- Berlin, all districts
- Prices