Flyer Artwork & Design Guide: How to Prepare Print-Ready Files

Quick answer: Print-ready flyer artwork should be supplied as a PDF, in CMYK colour, at 300dpi resolution, with 3mm bleed on all sides, built to the exact finished size of your chosen flyer (A6, DL, A5 or A4). Don't have artwork yet? Print Studio Scotland's in-house design team can build it from scratch at £30 per hour.

The Four Things Every File Needs

1. The right file format: PDF

A print-ready PDF is the standard we work from — it preserves fonts, colours and layout accurately regardless of what software created it. If your artwork is currently in Canva, Photoshop, Illustrator or InDesign, export or "save as" a PDF before sending it over.

2. The right colour mode: CMYK

Screens display colour in RGB; printers reproduce colour in CMYK. If your file is built or exported in RGB, colours will shift once converted for print — often becoming duller or noticeably different from what you saw on screen. Set your document to CMYK from the start if you're designing it yourself.

3. The right resolution: 300dpi

At 300dpi and full print size, images and text stay sharp rather than pixelating. This matters even more on a small format like A6, where any softness in a logo or photo becomes obvious at close reading distance.

4. The right bleed: 3mm

Bleed is extra artwork extending 3mm beyond the final trim edge on every side. It gives the finishing process a small margin for error so you never end up with a thin white line at the edge of your flyer. Any background colour, image or design element that touches the edge needs to extend into this 3mm zone — particularly important on smaller sizes like A6 and DL, where the trim edge is close to everything on the page.

Building to the Right Size

Our flyers come in four sizes — A6 (105 x 148mm), DL (99 x 210mm), A5 (148 x 210mm) and A4 (210 x 297mm) — each with its own downloadable artwork template on the relevant product page, built to the exact dimensions and bleed. Starting your file from the template is the easiest way to avoid a sizing mistake. See our Flyer Sizes Guide for the full breakdown of dimensions and which size suits which job.

Keep Key Content Away From the Edges

Because flyers are handled, folded into bags and pockets, and often displayed in dispensers or racks, keep your logo, headline and any critical text within a safe margin from the trim edge rather than tight against it — a good rule of thumb is at least 3-5mm clear of the trim line on all sides, in addition to the 3mm bleed extending outward. This matters most on A6 and DL, where the smaller canvas leaves less room for error.

Common Artwork Mistakes We See

• RGB files sent as if they're CMYK. The most common cause of "why do the colours look different" queries. Convert to CMYK before exporting your final PDF.
• Web images stretched to flyer size. A logo or photo pulled from a website is usually far below 300dpi at print size. Ask whoever supplied it for a high-resolution or vector version.
• No bleed included. Designs built exactly to the trim size, with no 3mm allowance, risk a thin unprinted edge after trimming.
• Text too close to the edge. On small formats like A6, text set close to the trim line can end up looking cramped or partially trimmed. Keep it within the safe zone.
• Wrong template for the chosen size. A design built for A5 doesn't simply scale down cleanly to A6 — always start from the correct template for your specific size.

Don't Have Artwork? We'll Build It

Our in-house graphic design team creates flyer artwork from scratch at £30 per hour — from a simple, clean layout using your existing logo and brand colours through to a fully bespoke design. Because design and print happen under the same roof, there's no back-and-forth between a separate agency and printer. Contact us before placing your order for a quick, no-obligation quote and estimated timescale.

Frequently Asked Questions

What file format do you need for flyer artwork?

A print-ready PDF, built in CMYK colour at 300dpi resolution with 3mm bleed on all sides, at the exact finished size of your chosen flyer.

Can I send a JPEG or PNG instead of a PDF?

We can generally work with high-resolution JPEG or PNG files if a PDF isn't available, but a print-ready PDF built to the correct template is always the most reliable option.

Why do my colours look different once printed?

This is almost always caused by artwork built in RGB rather than CMYK. Converting your file to CMYK before export gives the most accurate preview of how colours will actually print.

Do you offer artwork templates for every flyer size?

Yes — every size in our range (A6, DL, A5, A4) has its own downloadable PDF template, available on the relevant product page, built to the correct dimensions and bleed.

How much does your design service cost?

Our in-house graphic design team creates flyer artwork at £30 per hour. Contact us before placing your order for a quick quote and timescale.

Ready to Order?

Download the template for your size from the relevant product page, browse the full flyers collection, or read our Flyers Scotland buying guide for help choosing the right product first. Need design help? Get in touch and we'll quote your artwork.