Free Tools for Designers & Print Buyers.
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What is DPI and why does it matter for print?

DPI stands for Dots Per Inch — the number of ink dots a printer lays down per inch of paper. For commercial print, 300 DPI is the standard minimum. An image that looks sharp on screen at 72 DPI will print blurry if it hasn't been created at sufficient resolution. Our DPI Checker tells you exactly what size you can print an image at 300 DPI given its pixel dimensions.

What is bleed and why do I need it?

Bleed is extra artwork that extends beyond the finished cut edge of a printed piece — typically 3mm on all sides for business cards and flyers. When the press cuts to the finished size, slight variations in the cut position mean that without bleed, a thin white border can appear at the edge. Our Bleed & Safe Zone Guide shows exact requirements by product type.

Why do my colours look different when printed compared to my screen?

Screens display colour using light (RGB — Red, Green, Blue). Printers mix physical inks (CMYK — Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). Some colours that are possible on screen — especially neons, vivid greens and electric blues — simply cannot be reproduced in print ink. Our Colour Selector uses the CoatedFOGRA39 ICC profile to show you the exact printable equivalent of any screen colour.

What is Pantone and do I need it?

Pantone is a standardised colour matching system used widely in brand identity. If your brand guidelines specify a Pantone colour (e.g. Pantone 485 C), you need to convert it to CMYK for standard digital printing. Our Pantone to CMYK Converter handles this conversion for the most commonly used Pantone Coated colours.

What file format should I supply for print?

For best results: PDF (press-quality) with fonts embedded, CMYK colour mode, 300 DPI images, and 3mm bleed. AI (Illustrator) and EPS files are also accepted. Canva users should export as PDF Print with bleed marks turned on. JPEG and PNG files are accepted but must be supplied at 300 DPI at the intended print size.

Can I use Canva for print-ready artwork?

Yes — with some caveats. Canva's PDF Print export is generally good for standard commercial print jobs. The main pitfalls are: not enabling bleed on export, using Canva's default RGB colour mode (which can shift in print), and using low-resolution photos from the Canva library. See our guide to printing with Canva for full details.

Are these tools free?

Yes. All PP Tools are completely free to use with no account required. They're built and maintained by Print Promotion as a resource for the design and print community in Australia.

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Top 5 things Canva users get wrong before sending to print

1. No bleed: Export your Canva PDF with "Crop marks and bleed" enabled. Without 3mm bleed, white edges can appear after cutting.
2. Low-resolution images: Canva photos look fine on screen but may be under 300 DPI at print size. Use our DPI Checker before submitting.
3. RGB colours that shift in print: Neon pinks, electric blues, and vivid greens often print duller than expected. Check your colours with the Colour Selector to see the actual printable result.
4. Text too close to the edge: Keep all important text and logos at least 3mm from the trim edge (the safe zone). Text right at the edge can be cut off.
5. Wrong file size: Canva sometimes exports at 72 DPI. Always choose "PDF Print" not "PDF Standard" or "PNG" for print jobs.

Understanding ink coverage

Total ink coverage (TIC) is the sum of C+M+Y+K values. For coated stock (e.g. gloss or silk laminate), most commercial presses allow up to 300% TIC. For uncoated stock, the limit is typically 240%. Exceeding these limits causes slow drying, smudging, and paper warping. Our Colour Selector shows TIC for any colour with a warning when limits are exceeded.

When to use rich black vs pure black

Pure black (C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:100) is correct for body text, fine lines, and small type. It's crisp and doesn't require perfect ink registration. Rich black (commonly C:60 M:40 Y:40 K:100) gives a deeper, denser appearance for large black areas like backgrounds — but should never be used for text under 24pt, as slight mis-registration between ink layers causes blurry edges.

Our print process

1. Consultation: By phone or email — we help you select the right stock and finish for your artwork and budget.
2. Pre-press check: We review your supplied artwork before going to print and flag any issues.
3. Digital proof: A PDF proof is emailed for your approval before production begins.
4. Production: Printed at our partner factories in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns, and Gold Coast.
5. Quality control: All goods are checked before packaging and dispatch.
6. Delivery: Dispatched via our preferred courier network — selected by product and postcode for best reliability.

We've been operating since 2009. Call us on 1300 669 211 to discuss your next project.