Here at Fresh Hot Stickers, each custom sticker submitted gets worked on by one of our artists and is approved by you before we begin production. Sending us quality images helps make the process that much easier for everyone involved. Setting up artwork doesn’t have to be intimidating, below, we’ll describe how to make the perfect sticker ready artwork.
Artwork Guidelines for Custom Stickers
When preparing art for sticker printing, there are several steps you should follow to ensure the best print quality:
- Choose the right file format: The most common file formats for sticker printing are vector-based formats such as Adobe Illustrator (.ai) or Encapsulated PostScript (.eps) files. Vector files allow for unlimited scalability and maintain the highest level of detail and sharpness.
- Resolution: The resolution of your art should be set to 300 dots per inch (dpi) or higher. This will ensure that your art looks sharp and clear when printed at any size.
- Color mode: The color mode should be set to CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) to ensure accurate color reproduction when printed.
- Add bleed: Stickers are often cut to size, so it’s important to add a bleed area around the edge of your artwork. This bleed should be at least 0.125 inches to 0.25 inches, depending on the printer’s specifications.
- Add your desired cut line so we know the area around your sticker you want our machines to cut out.
- Design for the final product: Consider the size and shape of the final sticker and design your art accordingly. Make sure that any important elements are within the final trim area and that your design isn’t too busy or cluttered.
- Proofread: Before finalizing your art, make sure to proofread it carefully. Check for typos, spelling errors, and any other mistakes that might detract from the final product.
By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to preparing art that will produce high-quality stickers!
Color
Our Epson printers utilize CMYK process color printing which means the colors are Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. Setting up artwork with this in mind will help ensure that the colors in your provided artwork print accurately.
Cut Lines
Creating clean lines in your sticker art is an important step in ensuring a professional-looking final product. Here are some tips for creating clean lines in your artwork:
- Use vector-based software: Vector-based software such as Adobe Illustrator allows you to create crisp, clean lines that will maintain their sharpness when scaled up or down. This is because vector graphics are created using mathematical equations rather than pixels, which can become blurry or pixelated when enlarged.
- Choose the right tools: In vector-based software, use the pen tool, the shape tools, or the vector brush tool to create clean lines. Avoid using the pencil or paintbrush tools, as these can create jagged, uneven lines.
- Use layers: Organize your artwork into layers, and use separate layers for each element or color. This makes it easier to adjust or modify individual elements without affecting the rest of the artwork.
- Smooth out curves: Use the anchor points and handles to smooth out any jagged or uneven curves. This will give your lines a more professional, polished look.
- Use a clean workspace: Make sure your workspace is clean and uncluttered, as this can help you focus on creating clean lines. Consider using a grid or snap-to-grid feature to help you align elements and keep your lines straight.
- Review your work: Before finalizing your artwork, review it carefully to make sure all lines are clean and free of any jagged or uneven areas. Use the zoom feature to get a closer look and make any necessary adjustments.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to create clean lines in your sticker art that will result in a professional-looking final product.
