Use your original artwork
Export from the app where the artwork was created when possible. A screenshot, social media thumbnail, or image copied from a message may contain fewer pixels than the original, even if it looks sharp on your phone.
Vector files such as SVG, AI, and EPS can keep shapes and lettering sharp as they scale. A PDF may contain vector artwork, raster images, or both; putting a small image in a PDF does not add detail. PNG and JPG can also work well when they have enough pixels at the finished size.
- Keep an editable original in case the design team needs a change.
- Use PNG when you need to preserve transparency. JPG does not preserve transparent areas.
- Check the upload field for accepted file types. Common options include PNG, JPG, WebP, SVG, PDF, AI, and EPS.
Check resolution at the size you will print
For raster artwork, aim for 300 pixels per inch at the finished size. Multiply the width and height in inches by 300 to estimate the pixels needed. A 3-inch square design would need about 900 × 900 pixels; a 4 × 2-inch design would need about 1,200 × 600 pixels.
Changing a file’s resolution setting to 300 does not restore missing detail. Enlarging a small image can still leave soft lettering or jagged edges. If the only file you have is small, send it to the design team before approving your proof.
| Finished size | Raster artwork at 300 pixels per inch |
|---|---|
| 2 × 2 inches | 600 × 600 pixels |
| 3 × 3 inches | 900 × 900 pixels |
| 4 × 2 inches | 1,200 × 600 pixels |
Separate the artwork, border, and cut line
The artwork is what gets printed. A border is a visible area around it. The cut line shows where the finished sticker will be cut; the cut-line guide itself is not printed.
For a design that prints to the edge, the artwork needs to extend beyond the cut line as bleed. Keep small text, logos, and important details inside the cut line with enough room to avoid the edge. The required allowance depends on the design and product, so ask the team rather than adding a guessed border or universal bleed measurement.
Tell us if you want a white border, a colored border, or artwork that reaches the edge. Also mention areas that should remain transparent when ordering clear stickers; transparent artwork and clear sticker material are separate choices.
Check these details before approving
The online proof is your chance to confirm the design before it is printed. Request changes if something is missing or different from what you intended.
Screens and printed colors can look different. Include a color reference when a particular color matters, and discuss it with the design team before approval. A screen preview is not a guarantee of an exact printed color match.
- Spelling, punctuation, usernames, and capitalization.
- The selected width and height, shape, and quantity.
- The border and cut line, especially near small lettering.
- Whether the background should be printed, transparent, or absent for transfer lettering.
- The right artwork version and any requested additions.