How to Prepare Artwork for Custom Sign Printing
You’ve chosen your sign material, selected the size and are ready to place your order.
There’s just one important step left:
Preparing your artwork correctly.
Whether you’re ordering a business sign, construction sign, real estate sign, promotional board or custom printed signage, the quality of the artwork you provide can have a major impact on the finished product.
Poor-quality artwork can result in blurry images, incorrect colours, missing fonts, unwanted borders or other production issues.
The good news is that preparing print-ready artwork doesn’t have to be complicated.
In this guide, we’ll explain the key things to check before uploading artwork for your custom sign.
1. Start With the Correct Sign Dimensions
One of the first things to check is the finished size of your sign.
If your sign is going to be:
1200 mm wide × 600 mm high
your artwork should be created with those dimensions in mind.
Working at the correct size helps ensure that logos, text, images and other design elements are positioned correctly.
Why does size matter?
Imagine creating a sign at 600 mm × 300 mm and then enlarging the artwork to 1200 mm × 600 mm.
If the artwork contains low-resolution images, enlarging it can make those images appear soft or pixelated.
For this reason, it’s best to create your artwork at the intended final size whenever practical.
Check these before exporting:
- Width
- Height
- Orientation
- Finished sign dimensions
- Design proportions
- Placement of important information
If you’re unsure about the dimensions for your particular SignWorld product, use the product specifications provided when ordering.
2. Use High-Quality Images
Images are one of the most common causes of poor print quality.
An image that looks excellent on your computer screen may not necessarily produce a sharp large-format printed sign.
For raster images, resolution needs to be considered at the final output size.
Adobe’s current print-production guidance recommends checking for low-resolution images during preflight, with images below 300 ppi identified as a potential issue in print workflows.
Common image formats
Raster images commonly include:
- JPG
- PNG
- TIFF
Vector artwork commonly includes:
- AI
- EPS
- SVG
- PDF containing vector artwork
Raster vs vector artwork
A raster image is made from pixels.
A vector graphic is made from mathematical paths and can generally be scaled without losing the same type of sharpness associated with pixel-based images.
For logos, icons and illustrations, vector artwork is often preferable when available.
For photographs, raster formats are normally appropriate.
Example
A company logo supplied as a small JPG may look fine when viewed on a phone.
But when that same logo is enlarged significantly for a large sign, the edges may become blurry.
A vector version of the logo is usually a much better starting point.
3. Choose the Right File Format
The best file format depends on the type of artwork you’re supplying and the requirements of the print workflow.
A properly prepared PDF is often an excellent format for supplying completed print artwork.
It can preserve:
- Vector graphics
- Fonts
- Images
- Layout
- Transparency
- Colour information
Adobe provides dedicated print-ready PDF workflows, including PDF/X options for professional printing.
AI
Adobe Illustrator files can be excellent for vector artwork.
They are particularly useful for:
- Logos
- Illustrations
- Typography
- Shapes
- Brand graphics
EPS
EPS has traditionally been widely used for vector logos and illustrations.
SVG
SVG is a vector format and can be useful for logos and simple graphics, although compatibility depends on the production workflow.
PNG
PNG can be useful for raster artwork, particularly when transparency is required.
However, the image still needs sufficient resolution for the final printed size.
JPG
JPG can work well for photographic artwork, but heavily compressed JPG files may show visible compression artefacts when enlarged.
Our general recommendation
If you have professionally prepared vector artwork, a suitable PDF or vector file is usually preferable.
If you’re unsure which file to upload, provide the highest-quality version of your artwork available and check the specific requirements of the SignWorld product you’re ordering.
4. Check Your Colour Settings
Colours on a computer monitor and colours produced by a printer are not identical systems.
Screens generally use light-based RGB colour, while print workflows commonly use CMYK-based colour management.
Adobe recommends using suitable colour settings for print production and notes that some RGB colours, including very bright or neon colours, don’t have direct CMYK equivalents.
Why does this matter?
A bright colour that looks vibrant on your monitor may print differently.
This is particularly important for:
- Brand colours
- Bright greens
- Bright oranges
- Neon colours
- Very saturated blues
- Certain reds
If exact corporate colour reproduction is important to your business, keep your brand colour specifications available and use an appropriate colour-managed workflow.
CMYK vs RGB
For professionally prepared print files, CMYK is commonly used.
However, don’t blindly convert every file yourself if your printer has provided different instructions.
The colour profile and conversion method can affect the final result.
For example, Adobe’s current InDesign guidance specifically recommends using the print provider’s specified colour profile when exporting a print-ready PDF.
Always follow SignWorld’s current artwork specifications where they differ from general industry advice.
5. Make Sure Your Fonts Are Correct
Fonts can create problems when artwork is moved between computers.
If your design uses a font that isn’t available in the production environment, the font may be substituted or otherwise handled differently.
This can change:
- Letter shapes
- Spacing
- Line breaks
- Text positioning
- Overall appearance
What should you do?
When preparing professional print artwork, consider converting final text to outlines where appropriate.
Alternatively, make sure fonts are properly embedded in the supplied PDF.
Adobe’s print guidance highlights the importance of having fonts available and properly handled when preparing print-ready PDFs.
Important
Once text has been converted to outlines, it is no longer easily editable as normal text.
Always keep an editable master copy of your artwork before outlining fonts.
6. Don’t Forget About Bleed
Bleed is artwork that extends beyond the final trim or finished edge.
It provides a margin of safety when artwork is trimmed so that you don’t end up with an unwanted thin white line along the edge.
For example, if a photograph or coloured background is supposed to run all the way to the edge of your sign, the artwork may need to extend beyond the finished trim area.
Adobe describes bleed as artwork extending outside the final printing/crop area to ensure the printed image reaches the edge after trimming.
How much bleed should you use?
This is important: don’t assume one bleed measurement applies to every sign.
The correct bleed can depend on:
- Printing method
- Material
- Finishing method
- Cutting method
- Sign dimensions
- Production equipment
Always follow the specific artwork instructions supplied by your sign printer.
If SignWorld provides a particular bleed requirement for a product, use that requirement rather than a generic internet recommendation.
7. Keep Important Content Away From the Edges
Even when bleed is correctly set up, important information should not sit directly against the edge of the sign.
Keep a sensible safe area around:
- Logos
- Headings
- Phone numbers
- Website addresses
- QR codes
- Important graphics
For example, if your phone number sits almost against the edge of the sign, even a small trimming or positioning variation can make the design look cramped.
Give important elements enough breathing room.
8. Check Your Artwork Orientation
Before exporting your artwork, make sure the orientation matches your order.
For example:
Landscape
1200 × 600 mm
versus:
Portrait
600 × 1200 mm
These are technically the same overall dimensions but produce completely different layouts.
Before uploading, check:
Width → Height → Orientation
This simple check can prevent an avoidable production issue.
9. Check Your Spelling and Contact Details
This sounds obvious, but it is one of the most important checks you can make.
Before submitting artwork, carefully check:
- Business name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Website
- Street address
- Social media handles
- Product names
- Prices
- Dates
- Promotional information
Don’t rely only on spell-checking software.
Read the artwork visually from beginning to end.
A single incorrect digit in a phone number can make an otherwise perfect sign useless.
10. Check Your QR Code
If you’re putting a QR code on your sign, test it before submitting the artwork.
Use a phone to scan it.
Make sure it:
- Scans correctly.
- Opens the intended page.
- Works on more than one device if possible.
- Has sufficient contrast.
- Isn’t distorted.
- Isn’t placed too close to the edge.
A QR code on a sign can be extremely useful, but only if people can actually scan it.
11. Don’t Stretch Your Logo or Images
One of the easiest ways to make artwork look unprofessional is to stretch an image disproportionately.
For example, don’t turn this:
1000 × 1000 px
into something that appears:
1600 × 700 px
unless the original artwork was designed for that proportion.
Instead, maintain the original aspect ratio whenever resizing graphics.
This is particularly important for:
- Logos
- Product photographs
- People
- Vehicles
- Buildings
- Icons
12. Use the Correct Resolution for Large Signs
Large-format signage is slightly different from designing something that will be viewed from very close range.
The appropriate image resolution depends on:
- Final size
- Viewing distance
- Printing process
- Image content
- Production workflow
A photograph intended for a small sticker may require a different effective resolution than a photograph printed across a large outdoor sign.
Rather than simply making every image enormous, consider its effective resolution at final output size.
Adobe’s current preflight guidance specifically recommends checking for low-resolution placed images before producing print PDFs.
13. Avoid Using Screenshots as Final Artwork
A screenshot may look sharp on your monitor, but it isn’t necessarily suitable for large-format printing.
For example, avoid using:
- Website screenshots
- Facebook screenshots
- Google image screenshots
- Phone screenshots
- Images copied from websites
as your primary print artwork whenever a higher-quality original is available.
Instead, obtain the original:
- Logo
- Photograph
- Vector graphic
- Product image
- Brand artwork
14. Keep an Editable Master File
Before exporting your final print file, save an editable version.
For example:
company-sign-master.ai
Then export your production version:
company-sign-final.pdf
This means you can make future changes without rebuilding the entire design.
Keep your original files somewhere safe.
What Makes a Good Sign Design?
Preparing technically correct artwork is only half the job.
The artwork should also work visually.
A good business sign should generally be:
Easy to read
People should understand the main message quickly.
Visually simple
Avoid filling every available space.
High contrast
Text should stand clearly against the background.
Brand consistent
Use your company’s established:
- Logo
- Colours
- Fonts
- Brand style
Appropriate for the viewing distance
A sign beside a reception desk can contain more information than one viewed from a moving vehicle.
Common Artwork Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some of the most common problems that can affect sign artwork.
Low-resolution images
A small image enlarged to sign size may appear blurry.
Incorrect dimensions
Artwork supplied at the wrong proportions can create layout problems.
Missing fonts
Fonts that aren’t properly embedded or outlined can cause unexpected changes.
Incorrect colours
Colours can appear different when moving between screen and print environments.
No bleed where required
This can result in unwanted edges or thin white lines after trimming.
Important content too close to the edge
Keep critical information within a suitable safe area.
Incorrect spelling
Always proofread the final artwork.
Stretched images
Maintain the original aspect ratio.
Incorrect orientation
Check portrait versus landscape before uploading.
Using screenshots
Whenever possible, supply original high-quality artwork rather than screenshots.
Print-Ready Artwork Checklist
Before uploading your artwork to SignWorld, run through this checklist:
- Correct sign width
- Correct sign height
- Correct orientation
- Correct artwork dimensions
- High-quality images
- Vector artwork used where appropriate
- Suitable file format
- Correct colour settings
- Fonts embedded or outlined where appropriate
- Bleed added if required
- Important content kept away from edges
- Logo checked
- Phone number checked
- Website checked
- Spelling checked
- QR code tested
- Images not stretched
- Final artwork reviewed at 100%
- Correct final file uploaded
What File Should You Upload?
If you have several versions of your artwork, you may wonder which one to choose.
As a general guide:
| File Type | Best Used For |
|---|---|
| Completed print artwork | |
| AI | Editable vector artwork |
| EPS | Vector logos and graphics |
| SVG | Vector graphics where supported |
| PNG | High-quality raster graphics/transparency |
| JPG | Photographic artwork |
The best choice depends on the artwork and the specific SignWorld product requirements.
If you have a professionally prepared print PDF, that is often a strong starting point because properly created PDFs can preserve important print-production information such as fonts, vector graphics and colour information.
Can I Use Artwork Created in Canva?
Yes, Canva can be useful for creating simple sign designs.
However, before exporting artwork for professional printing, pay particular attention to:
- Final dimensions
- Image quality
- Colour
- Bleed
- Export settings
- Text
- Logos
- Overall layout
If your design contains professional branding, photographs or complex graphics, make sure the exported file retains sufficient quality for the final sign size.
For important commercial signage, a professionally prepared print file may provide more control over colour, typography and production settings.
Can I Use a Logo From My Website?
You can, but it isn’t always the best option.
Website logos are often optimised for screen display rather than large-format printing.
A logo that looks sharp on your website may be too small for a large sign.
If possible, use the original:
- AI
- EPS
- SVG
version of your logo.
If you only have a JPG or PNG, use the highest-resolution version available.
What If I Don’t Know Whether My Artwork Is Print Ready?
Don’t panic.
Start with the highest-quality artwork you have.
Check the dimensions, inspect the images, proofread the content and use an appropriate print format.
If you’re unsure about a technical requirement, check the relevant SignWorld product specifications before submitting the file.
It’s always better to resolve an artwork issue before production rather than discovering it after the sign has been printed.
Ordering Custom Signs Online With SignWorld
Once your artwork is ready, ordering your custom sign should be straightforward.
With SignWorld, you can choose the sign product that suits your application, select your required specifications, upload your artwork and place your order online.
Whether you need signage for a:
- Small business
- Construction project
- Property
- Real estate campaign
- Event
- Trade business
- School
- Sports club
- Farm
- Community organisation
the same basic artwork principles apply.
Choose the appropriate material, select the required size and make sure your artwork is prepared for the final application.
Final Thoughts
Good sign printing starts with good artwork.
You don’t necessarily need to be a professional graphic designer, but you do need to make sure your artwork is suitable for the size, material and printing process you’re ordering.
Before uploading your file, remember the basics:
- Get the dimensions right.
- Use high-quality images.
- Choose an appropriate file format.
- Check your colours.
- Handle fonts correctly.
- Add bleed when required.
- Keep important information away from the edges.
- Proofread everything.
- And most importantly, follow the specific artwork requirements provided by your sign printer.
Once your artwork is ready, you can move on to the next step:
Choose your sign, upload your artwork and order your custom printed signage online with SignWorld.
