At our Corona print shop, the most common cause of delays is not the printer. Instead, it is the file. A blurry logo, missing bleed or the wrong color mode can turn a quick job into a reprint. This guide shares the same tips our designers give customers every day, so your next order comes out sharp the first time.
1. Start With the Right File Type
The best files for printing are PDF, AI (Adobe Illustrator) and EPS. These formats keep text and logos as vectors, so they stay crisp at any size. If you only have an image, send a high-resolution PNG or JPG.
On the other hand, avoid screenshots and images saved from social media. They are compressed and usually print fuzzy. When in doubt, send us what you have and we will check it for free.
2. Use 300 DPI for Small Prints
Resolution matters most on items people hold close, such as business cards, flyers and brochures. For these, your images should be 300 DPI at the final size. For example, a 4 x 6 inch postcard needs an image of at least 1200 x 1800 pixels.
Large banners and signs are different. Because people view them from a distance, 100 to 150 DPI at full size is usually enough. Our Corona print shop team will tell you if a file is too small before anything prints.
3. Add Bleed and Keep a Safe Zone
Bleed is extra artwork that extends past the trim line. In most cases, add 0.125 inches (1/8″) of bleed on every side. As a result, no thin white edges appear after cutting.
In addition, keep important text and logos at least 0.125 inches inside the trim line. This “safe zone” protects your phone number from being cut off.
4. Set Your Colors to CMYK
Screens display color in RGB, but printers use CMYK ink. Therefore, bright neon greens and blues on your monitor may look slightly duller on paper. To avoid surprises, design in CMYK from the start.
If your brand uses exact Pantone colors, let us know. We can match them closely, especially on signs, vinyl and apparel.
5. Convert Fonts to Outlines
If we don’t have your font installed, the text may change when we open the file. To prevent this, convert text to outlines in Illustrator or embed fonts when you export a PDF. Also, double-check spelling first, because outlined text can no longer be edited easily.
6. Check Sizes for Common Items
- Business cards: 3.5 x 2 inches, plus bleed.
- Flyers: 8.5 x 11 or 5.5 x 8.5 inches.
- Postcards: 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 inches.
- Posters: 18 x 24, 24 x 36 or custom sizes.
- Banners: any size, often 2 x 6, 3 x 8 or 4 x 10 feet.
Not sure about a size? Browse our custom posters, flyers and banners pages for ideas.
7. Always Approve a Proof
Before we print, you receive a digital proof. Read every word, check every number and confirm the colors. A proof takes a few minutes to review, yet it can save you the cost of a full reprint.
Don’t Have a Print-Ready File? We Can Help
Many customers walk in with a sketch, a photo of an old sign or just an idea. That is perfectly fine. Our in-house designers create layouts, rebuild logos as vectors and prepare every file correctly. Meanwhile, you focus on running your business.
You can send files through our upload page or bring them on a USB drive. For more background on file setup, Adobe offers a helpful guide to print design.
Visit Our Corona Print Shop
Galvan Media is located at 821 S. Sherman Ave, Corona, CA 92882, and we are open from 8 AM to 5 PM. Call or text 619-733-5092, explore our full printing services or request a quote. Send us your file today, and we’ll make sure it prints perfectly.