To set up a business card or stationery file that prints correctly the first time, build it at the final size plus a 1/8″ (0.125″) bleed on every edge, keep all text and logos inside a safe margin about 1/8″ from the trim line, design at 300 DPI in CMYK color, and export it as a high-resolution, print-ready PDF with fonts embedded or outlined. The reasons print jobs come back wrong are almost always the same few issues — no bleed, low-resolution images, RGB colors, or text too close to the edge — and every one of them is avoidable. Here’s what each setting means and exactly what to bring.
Bleed is extra artwork that extends past the final trim line so that when the printer cuts the piece, there’s no white sliver at the edge. Extend any background color or image 1/8″ beyond every edge. Without bleed, tiny shifts during cutting leave white edges.
Keep all important content — text, logos, contact info — at least 1/8″ inside the trim line. Anything closer risks being cut off. Think of it as a buffer that protects your message from the blade.
Print needs far more detail than a screen. Design and place images at 300 DPI (dots per inch) at final size. Images pulled from a website are usually 72 DPI and will look blurry or pixelated in print.
Printers use CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black), while screens use RGB. If you send an RGB file, colors can shift — bright blues and greens especially. Build your file in CMYK so what you see is closer to what you get.
| Piece | Standard size (US) | Bleed | Safe margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business card | 3.5″ × 2″ | 0.125″ all sides | 0.125″ inside trim |
| Postcard | 4″ × 6″, 5″ × 7″, 6″ × 9″ | 0.125″ all sides | 0.125″ inside trim |
| Letterhead | 8.5″ × 11″ | 0.125″ all sides | keep content clear of edges |
| Envelope | varies by size | check with your printer | leave room for postal markings |
Sizes are common standards; confirm exact specs with your local PostNet before you build your file.
Choose the preset often labeled “Press Quality” or “Print.”
Turn it on in the export settings so the extra 1/8″ is preserved.
This keeps the type from reflowing or substituting on another computer.
Keep them at full resolution so images don’t downsample.
Confirm the document is set to 300 DPI too.
If that sounds like a lot, you don’t have to do it alone — that’s what the design team is for.
Don’t have print-ready files? Our design team can build your business cards and stationery from scratch or fix files that aren’t set up correctly — so you avoid a reprint.
Catching these before printing is the difference between a clean first run and a frustrating reprint.
Bleed is artwork that extends past the final trim line so there are no white edges after the piece is cut. The standard amount is 1/8 inch (0.125″) on every side. You extend any background color or image into that bleed area, then the printer trims it away, guaranteeing color reaches the very edge. Because cutting can shift slightly, bleed is essential whenever your design has color or images touching the edge. Always pair it with a safe margin that keeps text away from the cut.
Print files should be 300 DPI (dots per inch) at the final size. Screens display at around 72 DPI, which looks fine online but appears blurry or pixelated when printed. If you place images, make sure they’re 300 DPI at the size they’ll appear — enlarging a small or web-sourced image won’t add the detail print needs. Vector graphics like logos are resolution-independent and scale cleanly, which is why a vector logo file is so useful for print.
Use CMYK for anything that will be printed. CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) is the ink-based color model printers use, while RGB (red, green, blue) is for screens. If you send an RGB file, some colors — especially vivid blues, greens, and oranges — can shift noticeably when converted for print. Building your file in CMYK from the start gives you a more accurate preview of the printed result. Your printer can convert files, but designing in CMYK reduces surprises.
A high-resolution, print-ready PDF is the most reliable format because it preserves layout, embeds fonts, and supports bleed settings. When exporting, choose a press-quality preset, include the bleed, and embed or outline your fonts so type doesn’t change on another computer. Vector source files (.ai, .eps) are also excellent, especially for logos. Avoid sending only a JPG or a low-resolution image from a website, as these usually lack the resolution and color setup needed for clean printing.
Whether your files are ready to go or you’re starting from a napkin sketch, the design and print team at your neighborhood PostNet will make sure your business cards and stationery come out right the first time.
Related reading: What Makes a Logo Actually Work · Tri-Fold vs. Half-Fold vs. Gate-Fold: Which Brochure Layout Fits Your Message · Business Stationery
All PostNet locations are independently owned and operated. Print and design services and specifications may vary by location.
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