The Most Common Reason Orders Get Delayed
After printing thousands of sticker orders, the #1 cause of delays is artwork issues. Files that are too low-resolution, missing bleed, or lack a proper die-cut line add 1–2 days to your order while our team goes back and forth. This guide helps you avoid that entirely.
Accepted File Formats
Vector files (preferred):
- Adobe Illustrator (.ai) — Best choice. Vectors scale infinitely, die-cut paths are clean.
- EPS — Widely compatible with any printer.
- PDF — Good if exported correctly from Illustrator or InDesign.
Raster files (acceptable with conditions):
- PNG — Transparent background, minimum 300 DPI at final print size.
- JPG — Acceptable for photographic designs, no transparency.
- SVG — Fine for web-exported vector graphics.
Resolution Requirements
For raster files: 300 DPI at 100% of the final printed size. If your sticker is 3"×3", your PNG should be at least 900×900 pixels.
A common mistake: designing at 72 DPI (screen resolution) then scaling up in Photoshop. This creates a blurry result. Always start at 300 DPI from scratch.
Color Mode: CMYK vs RGB
Use CMYK, not RGB. Monitors display RGB, but printers use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). Colors look different when converted:
- Bright saturated RGB blues often print as muted teal.
- Neon RGB colors can't be reproduced in CMYK.
Set your Illustrator/Photoshop document to CMYK Color at the start of your project — not after you've finished designing.
Bleed and Safe Zone
Add 3mm bleed on all sides. This is extra artwork that extends beyond the cut line. Without bleed, slight movement during cutting leaves a white edge on your sticker.
Also keep important elements (text, logos) at least 3mm inside the cut line (safe zone), so they're not clipped.
The Die-Cut Line
For custom shapes, you need to tell us *exactly* where to cut. This is done with a die-cut line (also called a "cut path" or "spot color knife"):
1. Create a new layer named "Die-Cut" or "Knife"
2. Draw your cut shape as a closed path
3. Set the stroke to 0.25–0.5pt in a unique spot color (we recommend Pantone "CutContour" or a custom swatch named "Dieline")
4. No fill. Stroke only.
If you're ordering a rectangular or oval sticker, you don't need a custom die-cut line — just tell us the dimensions.
White Ink for Clear Vinyl
If you're ordering on clear vinyl and want an opaque white background behind your design, your file needs a white ink layer:
1. Duplicate your design outline
2. Fill it with a spot color named "White" (100% opacity)
3. Place this layer *under* your main artwork layer
Without this, your design prints directly on clear film, which looks great for some designs but wrong for others.
Quick Pre-Flight Checklist
Before sending your file:
- Vector file (AI, EPS) or PNG/JPG at 300 DPI minimum
- CMYK color mode
- 3mm bleed on all sides
- Important elements 3mm inside cut line
- Die-cut path on its own layer (for custom shapes)
- File named with your order number (e.g., PS-20260601-1234-artwork.ai)
What We Do for You
Even with proper files, we manually review every order before printing and send a digital proof via email. You approve the proof before we start production — so there's always a final safety check.
Questions about file setup? Send your file to artwork@printsticker.com or chat with us on WhatsApp and we'll review it within 2 hours.
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