File Prep & Artwork Submission Guide

Everything you need to prepare and submit print-ready files for large format production at TK Graphics.

Getting your files right before submission saves time for everyone. This guide covers everything TK Graphics needs to produce your job accurately — file formats, resolution, bleed, safe zones, colour profiles, and how to submit. If you have questions about a specific job or file, call us at (604) 575-1812 or get in touch and our prepress team will advise.

Accepted File Formats

We accept the following file formats for large format print production. If your file is in a format not listed here, contact our prepress team before submitting.

Format
Notes
● PDF
Preferred format. Export as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 with fonts embedded and all transparencies flattened. Ensure crop marks and bleed are included in the export settings.
● AI
Adobe Illustrator files accepted. All fonts must be outlined (converted to paths) before submission. Linked images must be embedded — do not submit AI files with externally linked image files.
● EPS
Accepted. Fonts must be outlined. EPS files with embedded raster images are accepted — confirm resolution meets the requirements in Section 02.
● PSD
Adobe Photoshop files accepted for raster-heavy artwork. Flatten layers before submission unless a layered file has been specifically requested by our prepress team. Embed all linked smart objects.
● TIFF
Accepted for raster artwork and photography. Lossless compression only (LZW or uncompressed). Do not submit JPEG-compressed TIFFs for production files.
● PNG
Accepted for specific applications. Must be high resolution — see Section 02. Not recommended for files requiring transparency at large scale.
PDF is our preferred format. When in doubt, export a PDF/X-1a with embedded fonts, flattened transparencies, and bleed included. This eliminates the most common prepress issues before files reach our team.

Resolution Requirements

Large format print is viewed at greater distances than offset or digital print, which means lower resolution is acceptable at final print size. The absolute minimum resolution depends on the print size and the typical viewing distance of the finished piece. A billboard is viewed from 10 metres. A banner at a trade show booth is viewed from 1 metre. The resolution requirements are different for each.

Print Type / Application
Recommended
Minimum Acceptable
Backdrops & Step-and-Repeats
Viewed at 1–2 m
150 DPI at final size
100 DPI at final size
Event Banners & Trade Show Displays
Viewed at 2–3 m
100—150 DPI at final size
72 DPI at final size
Construction Hoarding & Site Signage
Viewed at 3–5 m
72—100 DPI at final size
50 DPI at final size
Outdoor Billboards & Large Transit
Viewed at 10 m+
25—50 DPI at final size
15 DPI at final size
Vehicle Wraps
Viewed at 1–5 m
100—150 DPI at final size
72 DPI at final size
Wall Murals & Interior Graphics
Viewed at 1–3 m
100—150 DPI at final size
72 DPI at final size
Not sure if your file meets the resolution requirement? Email your file or a screenshot of your document setup to info@tkgraphics.ca and our prepress team will check it before you submit a full order.

Bleed & Safe Zones

Bleed is the extra artwork area that extends beyond the trim edge of your print. It ensures that when the print is trimmed or cut to final size, there are no white edges or unprinted gaps at the border. The safe zone is the area inside the trim edge where all critical content — text, logos, and key design elements — must sit to avoid being cut off during finishing.

Specification
Requirement
Notes
Bleed
3mm minimum on all sides. 5mm preferred for large format.
Extend all background colours and images to the bleed edge. Do not place critical content in the bleed area.
Safe Zone
Keep all critical content at least 5mm inside the trim edge.
the trim edge. Content outside the safe zone risks being trimmed. For very large prints (3m+), increase safe zone to 10mm.
Crop Marks
Include crop marks in PDF exports. Set offset to match your bleed — typically 3mm.
Crop marks help our prepress team verify the file is set up correctly before production.
Trim Size
Supply files at the exact final print size with bleed added beyond this.
Example: A 2m × 1m banner should be supplied at 2.006m × 1.006m with 3mm bleed on all sides.

Colour Profiles

Large format print uses CMYK colour. If your artwork is built in RGB (as most screen-based design files are), it must be converted to CMYK before submission. RGB colours can shift significantly when converted — particularly saturated blues, reds, and greens. Converting yourself gives you control over the result. If you submit an RGB file, our prepress team will convert it and flag any significant colour shifts before production.

Specification
Requirement
Colour Mode
CMYK preferred for all production files. RGB accepted — will be converted by our prepress team with client notification of any significant colour shifts.
Colour Profile
FOGRA39 (ISO Coated v2) or GRACoL 2006 preferred for CMYK files. If unsure, use FOGRA39 as your CMYK output profile in Photoshop or Illustrator.
Spot Colours
Pantone (PMS) spot colours must be converted to CMYK process equivalents before submission. TK Graphics does not print using spot colour inks. Our prepress team can advise on CMYK equivalents for your PMS colours.
Black
For large areas of solid black, use 100K only — not rich black (C60 M40 Y40 K100) unless specifically advised by our prepress team. Rich black in large format can cause registration issues at panel edges.
Brand Colours
As a 3M Gold Select Provider, TK Graphics can match brand colours precisely. Supply your CMYK values or Pantone references with your file submission for any colour-critical applications.
Avoid rich black for large solid areas. Use 100K only for large dark backgrounds and body text. Rich black can produce visible banding or edge registration issues at large format size.

How To Submit Your Files

After reviewing the specs above, here is the step-by-step submission process from first contact to production approval.

1

Review Your File Against These Specs

Check format, resolution, bleed, safe zones, and colour profile against the sections above. If anything is unclear, email our prepress team at info@tkgraphics.ca before submitting.

2

Fill Out The Quoate Form

Submit your quote request including your event date or project deadline, the products and quantities you need, and any notes about your project. The more detail you provide, the faster we can turn around an accurate quote.

3

Submit Your Files

Once your quote is underway, our team will provide instructions for file transfer. For files under 20MB, email them directly to info@tkgraphics.ca. For larger files, we will provide a transfer link via WeTransfer, Dropbox, or Google Drive. ⚠ Confirm preferred transfer method with our team at the quote stage.

4

Prepress Review

Our prepress team reviews your files — format, resolution, bleed, colour profile, and safe zones. If we find any issues, we contact you immediately with specific details so you can fix and resubmit quickly. You will not receive a generic 'file rejected' notice.

5

Approved → Production Begins

Once files are approved, production begins. You will receive a confirmation with your production timeline and expected delivery or installation date.

Ready To Submit Your Project?

Have a question about your file first? Call our prepress team at (604) 575-1812.

Get A Quote & Submit
Call Us

File Prep Questions

Yes — if your artwork is still in progress or you are not sure whether your file meets the specifications, contact us before submitting. Our prepress team can review your file, flag any issues, and advise on what needs to be corrected. It is always better to ask before submitting than to have a job delayed by a fixable file issue.

For files over 20MB, we will provide a file transfer link once your quote is underway. We accept files via WeTransfer, Dropbox, Google Drive, or direct FTP — confirm which method works best for your workflow when you contact us.

We can work with exported files from Canva and similar tools, but the export quality from these platforms varies significantly. Export your design as a PDF with the highest available quality settings, at the correct final print size, and with bleed included if the platform supports it. If you are unsure whether your Canva export will print well at large format size, send us the file before placing an order and we will advise.

Minor prepress corrections — small resolution adjustments, colour profile conversions, or adding bleed by extending backgrounds — can sometimes be handled by our team. However, significant file issues (low resolution artwork, missing bleed that requires redesign, RGB files with complex colour) may require you to make corrections at your end. We will always notify you of any file issues and advise on the fastest resolution before production begins.

For standard submissions, prepress review is completed within one business day. If we identify issues that require your attention, we will notify you the same day. For urgent jobs with tight event deadlines, contact us directly at (604) 575-1812 and we will prioritise the review.

Files Ready?
Let's Get Started.

Submit a quote request and attach your files, or call our prepress team and we will walk you through the submission process. We respond to all enquiries within one business day.

Get A Quote & Submit Your Project
Call (604) 575-1812

info@tkgraphics.ca • Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM • 17667 65A Ave, Surrey, BC V3S 1Z8 

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