Artwork Guidelines

Artwork File Guide for Specialty Wedding Printing

To get the cleanest result, we recommend uploading your artwork in a print-ready file format. If you are not sure what that means, do not worry — upload the best file you have and include notes. Our team will review your file before production.

Designed in Canva? Just send us your Canva link — we’ll take it from there.

What Is a Vector File?

A vector file is artwork made from clean, editable lines and shapes instead of tiny pixels. This means the design can be resized without becoming blurry.

Preferred Vector File Types

Please upload one of these formats when possible:

  • PDF
  • AI
  • EPS
  • SVG

A print-ready PDF is usually the easiest option for most customers.

If You Do Not Have a Vector File

If you do not know how to create a vector file, you may upload:

  • A high-resolution PNG with transparent background
  • A high-resolution PDF from Canva
  • A high-resolution JPG, only if the artwork does not need foil, embossing, or letterpress
  • The original Canva design file or shared Canva link, if available

For best results, PNG files should have a transparent background and should not be a screenshot. Screenshots, low-resolution phone images, and blurry files may not print clearly.

Simple Example

If you want your monogram printed in gold foil, the best file would be:

Preferred:
A black vector monogram on a white or transparent background, saved as PDF, SVG, AI, or EPS.

Acceptable alternative:
A high-resolution black PNG monogram with a transparent background.

Not recommended:
A screenshot of the monogram, a blurry photo, or a small image copied from a website.

Canva File Guidelines

If you are designing in Canva, please follow these steps:

  • Create your design at the exact final print size.
  • Use inches, not pixels, when setting the design size.
  • Turn on bleed if your design goes to the edge.
  • Keep important text and artwork away from the trim edge.
  • Download as PDF Print for most printed pieces.
  • Use the highest quality download setting available.
  • Avoid screenshots of your Canva design.
  • If you are preparing foil, emboss, or letterpress artwork, use solid black artwork for the specialty print area.

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Flat Printing Artwork Prep Guidelines

Flat printing allows for the most flexibility, but your file should still be properly prepared for the best result.

For best results, upload:

  • A high-resolution PDF (preferred)
  • Artwork set to the exact final print size
  • CMYK color mode if possible
  • 300 DPI resolution for images
  • Bleed included if the design goes to the edge (typically 0.125")
  • Important text kept inside the safe area
  • Fonts embedded or converted to outlines

If you are using Canva, download your design as PDF Print with crop marks and bleed enabled if needed.

If your design includes photos or detailed artwork, make sure all images are high resolution and not stretched or pixelated.

Avoid

  • Screenshots
  • Low-resolution images
  • Blurry or pixelated photos
  • Designs created at the wrong size and scaled up
  • Important text placed too close to the trim edge
  • RGB-only files without conversion (may affect color accuracy)

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White Ink Printing Artwork Prep Guidelines

White ink printing requires clear separation between white ink areas and any other printed elements.

For best results, upload:

  • A high-resolution PDF (preferred)
  • Vector artwork for text, borders, and line art
  • White ink areas shown in solid black (to indicate where white ink should print)
  • A separate white-ink-only file or layer if your design also includes other colors
  • Artwork sized exactly to the final card size
  • Bleed included if the design goes to the edge
  • Clear notes explaining which areas should print in white ink

If you are using Canva, download your design as PDF Print. For white ink areas, provide a separate page or file with those elements in solid black. For example, if only the text should be white, send one file with the full design and another file with only the text in black.

If you do not have a vector file, a high-resolution black PNG with a transparent background may work for simple white ink artwork.

Avoid

  • Leaving white areas as “paper white” without indicating them
  • Gradients in white ink areas
  • Very thin lines or tiny text
  • Low-resolution files
  • Screenshots
  • Unclear instructions about which areas should be white

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Metallic Ink Printing Artwork Prep Guidelines

Gold metallic ink is more flexible than foil or embossing, but the file should still be clean and high resolution.

For best results, upload:

  • A high-resolution PDF
  • Vector artwork for text, borders, icons, and line art
  • Clear notes showing which areas should print in gold metallic ink
  • Artwork sized exactly to the final card size
  • Bleed included if the design reaches the edge
  • Important text kept inside the safe area

If you are using Canva, download your design as PDF Print. If only some parts should be metallic gold, mention this clearly in your order notes. For example: “Please print the names and border in gold metallic ink. All other text should be black.”

If you do not have a vector file, a high-resolution Canva PDF or transparent PNG may work, especially for simple text or artwork.

Avoid

  • Low-resolution JPGs
  • Screenshots
  • Small images copied from the internet
  • Blurry logos or monograms
  • Very tiny text
  • Heavy gradients in metallic areas

Important Note

Gold metallic ink is not the same as hot foil stamping. It has a soft shimmer, not a mirror-like foil shine. Choose this option if you want an elegant metallic effect that feels subtle rather than highly reflective.

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Digital Foil Artwork Prep Guidelines

Digital foil printing works best when the foil areas are clearly defined and separated from the rest of the design.

For best results, upload:

  • A high-resolution PDF
  • Vector artwork for text, borders, icons, and decorative elements
  • Foil areas clearly shown in solid black
  • Names or variable text typed exactly as they should appear
  • Artwork sized exactly to the final card size
  • Bleed included if the design reaches the edge
  • Important foil details kept away from the trim edge

If you are using Canva, download your design as PDF Print. For foil areas, provide a separate page or file with only the foil artwork in solid black. For example, if only the guest names should be foiled, include a second page showing just the names in black.

If your design includes personalization, double-check spelling, capitalization, and formatting before uploading.

If you do not have a vector file, a high-resolution Canva PDF or transparent PNG may be accepted for simple artwork.

Avoid

  • Screenshots
  • Blurry artwork
  • Very thin lines
  • Tiny text
  • Gradients or shading in foil areas
  • Low-resolution images
  • Unclear instructions about which areas should be foiled

Important Note

Digital foil printing creates a metallic foil effect without traditional dies. While it offers more flexibility and is ideal for personalized pieces, traditional hot foil stamping typically produces a deeper impression and a more premium, highly reflective finish.

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Hot Foil Stamping Artwork Prep Guidelines

Hot foil stamping requires a clear foil layer. The artwork that will become foil should be easy to separate from the rest of the design.

For best results, upload:

  • A vector PDF, AI, EPS, or SVG file
  • Foil artwork shown in solid black
  • One foil color per file or layer
  • Fonts converted to outlines, if possible
  • Clean lines with enough thickness to stamp clearly
  • A separate foil-only file or page, especially if your design also includes regular printing

If you are using Canva, create the design at the final print size and download as PDF Print. For the foil area, provide a separate page or file with only the foil artwork in solid black. For example, if only the couple’s names should be gold foil, send one file with the full design and another file with only the names in solid black.

If you do not have a vector file, you may upload a high-resolution black PNG with a transparent background. This may work for simple foil artwork, but very detailed designs may need to be redrawn or converted.

Avoid

  • Gold-colored artwork instead of black foil artwork
  • Gradients
  • Shadows
  • Tiny text
  • Very thin lines
  • Fine textures
  • Screenshots
  • Artwork with unclear foil areas

Important Note

Hot foil stamping is different from metallic ink or digital gold printing. It uses real foil, giving it a more reflective and premium finish.

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Blind Emboss Printing Artwork Prep Guidelines

Blind embossing uses texture instead of ink or foil, so the artwork should be simple enough to be recognized by shape and shadow alone.

For best results, upload:

  • A vector PDF, AI, EPS, or SVG file
  • Emboss artwork shown in solid black
  • Fonts converted to outlines, if possible
  • Bold monograms, crests, borders, or simple line art
  • Enough spacing between letters and design details
  • A separate emboss-only file or page, especially if your design also includes regular printing

If you are using Canva, download your file as PDF Print and provide the emboss design in solid black on its own page or file. For example, if you want only your monogram embossed, send a page with only the monogram in black.

If you do not have a vector file, you may upload a high-resolution black PNG with a transparent background. This may work for simple emboss artwork, but detailed crests or delicate designs may need to be simplified.

Avoid

  • Full-color artwork
  • Gradients
  • Shadows
  • Watercolor effects
  • Photo-based designs
  • Tiny text
  • Very thin lines
  • Overly detailed crests
  • Screenshots

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Letterpress Printing Artwork Prep Guidelines

Letterpress works best with clean, simple artwork. Because the design is pressed into the paper, solid text, line art, borders, and monograms usually give the best result.

For best results, upload:

  • A vector PDF, AI, EPS, or SVG file
  • Solid artwork with no gradients or shadows
  • Fonts converted to outlines, if possible
  • One ink color per letterpress layer, unless the product allows multiple colors
  • Artwork sized exactly to the final card size
  • A separate file or layer for the letterpress artwork, if your design also includes regular printing

If you are using Canva, download your file as PDF Print. If the letterpress area is separate from the rest of the design, provide that part in solid black on its own page or file.

If you do not have a vector file, you may upload a high-resolution PNG with a transparent background. This may work for simple monograms, names, or line art, but vector artwork is still preferred.

Avoid

  • Screenshots
  • Blurry images
  • Watercolor artwork
  • Gradients
  • Photo-based designs
  • Very thin lines
  • Very small text

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GOT QUESTIONS?

Send us an email, one of our team members will respond within 1 business day. 

info@mmakerr.com