ARTWORK & LOGO REQUIREMENTS
The single biggest factor in how good your branded products look (and how quickly they get made) is your artwork. Don’t worry if that sentence made you nervous. This guide explains what we need, why we need it, and exactly what our friendly design team can do if you don’t have it.
The short version
Send us your logo in vector format (or Corel Draw). If you have a Pantone reference for your brand colours, include it. If you have neither, don’t worry, our in-house design team can sort out both.
Why vector format?
Logos generally come in two types of file. Raster files (JPEG, PNG) are made of pixels, zoom in and they turn blocky. Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF, CDR) are made of mathematical lines and curves, so they stay perfectly crisp at any size, from a pen barrel to a gazebo.
Branding machines work from those lines and paths. That’s why vector artwork produces sharp, precise results on every product and every technique, while a low-resolution logo pulled from a website or letterhead simply can’t.
Quick test: if your logo is in .ai, .eps, .cdr or a true vector .pdf, you’re set. If it’s a .jpg or .png, it’s probably raster — read on.
Don't have vector artwork? We can redraw it
If your logo isn’t in vector or Corel Draw format, our in-house design team can redraw it professionally for a fee. Two things worth knowing:
- You own the redrawn artwork. We’ll supply the files, and you can use them anywhere in future, with us or anyone else. Many clients treat this as a once-off investment that pays off on every print job afterwards.
- It only needs to happen once. On repeat orders, your artwork is already on file and production-ready.
- Please note: if your artwork changes in any way, a new redraw will be required and charged at the same design cost.
Colour matching: why Pantone matters
Colours on screens vary from device to device, the red you see on your laptop isn’t necessarily the red we see on ours. That’s why we use Pantone references: internationally standardised colour codes that guarantee your logo comes out the same colour on every product, every time.
If your brand doesn’t have Pantone codes yet, our team can establish them for you. We strongly recommend it, it’s the foundation of brand consistency across everything you’ll ever print.
Your safety net: artwork approval
Whatever you send us, nothing goes into production until you’ve approved it. Before branding begins, we send you artwork layouts showing your logo on your chosen product, exact size, position and colours. We allow up to three rounds of changes per order item. Any changes beyond this may carry an additional cost. Only your sign-off starts production.
Because the branding area on each product is carefully tested, your layout will show your logo on the flattest, obstruction-free surface at the optimal size, we avoid seams, borders and curved areas that would distort your logo. If the layout looks smaller than you expected, that’s the reason: it’s sized for quality, not squeezed for space.
A note on trademarks
We can brand trademarked logos and designs provided you have permission or ownership rights, we’ll just ask for documentation confirming your authorisation.
Artwork checklist
| ✓ | What to send |
|---|---|
| ☐ | Logo in vector or Corel Draw format (.ai, .eps, .cdr, vector .pdf). |
| ☐ | Pantone colour reference(s), if you have them |
| ☐ | Number of colours in your logo (affects quoting for some techniques) |
| ☐ | Any placement preferences |
| ☐ | Trademark authorisation, if branding a third-party mark |
Where to send it: directly to your Sales Executive, or to our team via the contact details on your quote.
Need your logo redrawn?
Send us whatever you have, even a photo of your old letterhead, and our design team will take it from there.