Printing Tips Before You Order
These printing tips save you time and cost: files, colours, paper, finishing, quantities and deadlines.
Prepare Your Files: Key Printing Tips
Most delays are caused by a file that is not ready. Review these six points before sending.
Logo in vector format
Send it as AI, EPS, PDF or SVG. A logo image sent through WhatsApp loses sharpness when enlarged.
Image resolution 300 DPI
Images need 300 DPI at the actual size. Website images look blurry on paper.
CMYK colours and Pantone code
Screens use RGB and presses use CMYK, so colours differ slightly. Send a Pantone code to match your brand colour.
Bleed and safe margin
Add 3 mm of bleed if the background reaches the edge, and keep text and logo 4 mm from the cut line.
Arabic Fonts
Convert text to outlines or send the font files, so Arabic letters do not break apart.
Review the proof before approving
Review the names, numbers and spelling in the proof carefully, because a mistake after printing means reordering.
Why do we ask for 3 mm extra around the design?
The cutting machine can drift by a fraction of a millimetre, so we extend the background 3 mm past the cut line to avoid a white edge.
We keep text and the logo inside a safe margin, so the cut never comes close to the name or phone number.
Choose the right paper and paper weights
Grammage is the weight of a square metre of paper: the higher, the thicker. 80 gsm suits correspondence; a business card needs 350 gsm.
- Gloss or matte coated paper for photos and bold colours.
- Uncoated offset paper for handwriting, such as letterheads and notebooks.
- Rigid board for boxes and folders, and it adds a weight that suggests quality.
Finishing touches that make the difference
Finishing makes your print stand out. Each finish has a cost, so choose one or two that serve the design.
Best method for each product
The method depends on material and quantity, and we suggest the best fit in your quote. The table gives the general idea.
| Product | Best method | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Paper Printing in Large Quantities | Offset | The price per piece drops as the quantity increases. |
| Paper Printing in Small Quantities | Digital | It needs no plate preparation, so it suits urgent orders. |
| Pens, Metal and Wood | Laser Engraving | It does not fade or wear with daily use. |
| Hard surfaces in full colour | Printing UV | Full colour and fine detail on plastic, wood and glass. |
| Mugs and Vacuum Flasks | By material | Laser for metal, and heat-transfer printing for ceramic. |
| Apparel and Fabrics | DTF, screen printing or embroidery | Embroidery for caps and jackets, printing for large quantities. |
| Flags and Feather Flags | Heat-Transfer Printing on Fabric | Colourfast on both sides, depending on the fabric type. |
Plan the quantity, budget and date
The larger the quantity, the lower the price per piece
The setup cost is spread over more pieces. Calculate your needs for six months and add a reserve for exhibitions.
Read the minimum order on the product page
Some products start from one piece; paper printing needs larger quantities. See the quantity and price table on each product page.
Order well before the occasion
Orders from Turkey and Syria are faster; China takes two to three months. Start early, before Ramadan, year-end and exhibitions.
Printing Tips Checklist Before You Send Your Order
Send them in one message so the quote and the proof reach you faster.
- Product name or code from the product page
- The quantity required, and whether you need more than one colour or size
- Logo in vector format, and your brand colours (Pantone or CMYK)
- Print Position on the Product and Number of Colours
- Delivery country and city
- The date by which you need the order
Send us your file and we will review it with you
File not ready? Our design team will review or prepare it and send you a proof for approval.