Hot Foil Stamp 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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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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GOT QUESTIONS?

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

info@mmakerr.com