Always check your product’s artwork instructions. Bleed and safe margins can vary by product.
Steps in brief
- Set the size and resolution before designing.
- Avoid small rasterized text.
- Keep important content off the edge.
- Save a PDF or an agreed file format suitable for printing.
- Open the exported file and check its dimensions, image resolution and legibility at the final print size.
Set the size before designing
Determine the size and resolution of the printed product at the very beginning. If you enlarge a small file at the end, the image will easily become blurry.
Watch out for the fine print
Photoshop rasterizes the content into an image. Small text and thin lines can soften if the file is not accurate enough.
Save a print-ready file
Send a PDF or another agreed file format. Check its dimensions, image resolution and legibility at the final print size before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Is Photoshop good for text-heavy work?
Not the best. Text and logos usually look better in InDesign or Illustrator.
Why is a small picture not enough?
Enlarging a small image does not add detail. Printing cannot recover information missing from the original.
Which resolution should you choose?
Check image resolution at the final print size. Around 300 ppi is a common target for small printed products; follow the product instructions.
