How to Prep Your Artwork for Print

How to Prep Your Artwork for Print

When it comes to fine art prints, we’re all about quality. We color calibrate your print from start to finish and carry premium archival papers and pigmented inks that are guaranteed to last.  

As you prepare your artwork for printing, there are a few things you can do to ensure the highest quality outcome and a smooth, seamless ordering experience: 
 

Scan in High Resolution 

The first, and arguably the most important step in preparing your artwork for printing is making sure to scan your image in a high resolution to ensure it is sharp, in focus, and able to be reproduced clearly. It’s important to note that the higher the dpi (dots per inch), the better the image quality will be. The minimum dpi we accept is 200; however, it’s best practice to scan in at least 300 dpi for the optimal outcome. If you plan to reproduce your artwork into an extra-large scale print, you’ll want to capture the image in an even higher dpi to allow the artwork to be blown up significantly without compromising the image quality. 
 

Clean up Imperfections  

Once your image has been captured accurately, you’ll want to inspect it thoroughly to catch any specks of dust, paint splatters, blemishes, or any other imperfections that you do not want to show up in the final print. Keep in mind that the larger the print, the more noticeable any errors or blemishes will be. Make sure to zoom in closely so you don’t miss any! If you’re working in Adobe Photoshop, there are a few tools to easily remove unwanted marks, such as the Clone Stamp (S) and the Healing Brush (J).  
 

Save in Correct File Format & Color Settings 

Before you submit your final file, there are a few last things to remember. We print exclusively in RGB color mode, so if you’re not already working in RGB, we ask that you please convert any CMYK color areas into RGB. If you are working on a file with multiple layers, make sure to flatten the file before saving. Once you’re ready to export and submit the file, be sure to save it as either a .PSD, .PDF., or .TIFF format. While we do accept .JPG and .PNG files, those formats compress the information in the image and result in decreased resolution.  
 

We’re here to help! 

If you’re not comfortable scanning and digitizing your work, or if you don’t have a scanner available, we are happy to help! We offer high-quality scanning services for $25 per piece. Color correcting and retouching services are an additional $80 per hour. 
 

We hope this helps you feel more confident preparing your artwork for printing! If you have any additional questions, please reach out to us or stop by the studio to meet with our print team. 

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