What Is a Print Ready File?

A print ready file is an artwork file that meets Ace Displays' technical requirements and can go directly into production without any corrections or back-and-forth. When your file is print ready, we can start production immediately. When it isn't, corrections will be needed — whether automatic or manual — and either way, your artwork approval process will be delayed.

Missing bleeds, wrong resolutions, incorrect color modes — these are the most common reasons artwork gets kicked back. The good news is that they're all easy to avoid with a little preparation upfront.

For detailed specifications including resolution tables, color guidelines, and more, visit our Artwork Guidelines page.

What Makes a File Print Ready?

Here are the requirements your files need to meet for Ace Displays:

1. File format
High resolution PDF exported from Illustrator or Photoshop is our preferred format. We also accept native Adobe Illustrator (.ai) files, high resolution TIFF files (typically saved without layers using LZW compression), EPS files, and JPG files. That said, JPG and TIFF files are less ideal because any vector elements and text in your design will be rasterized, which can reduce sharpness. When possible, PDF is the way to go.
2. Resolution
This is one of the most common issues we encounter. Large format graphics require a lot of pixels to look sharp, and most people underestimate the image size and quality needed to achieve a high quality print at size. Files that look fine on screen may still appear blurry or pixelated when printed large. If sourcing high resolution images is a challenge, you're probably better off using vector graphics.

3. Vector imagery where possible
Vector graphics are built from mathematical paths rather than pixels, which means they can be scaled to any size without losing sharpness or detail. This makes them ideal for large format printing, especially for logos, text, and graphic elements. If your artwork elements are available in vector format (typically .ai, .eps, or .svg files), this is what you should use, since these vector formats will always produce the cleanest results at any print size.
4. Color mode
Files should be set up in CMYK, not RGB. These are two different systems for representing color. RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is how screens display color — it uses light to mix colors together. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is how printers reproduce color — it uses ink on a physical surface. The range of colors each system can produce is different, so a bright color you see on your monitor may not be reproducible in print. If you design in RGB and convert to CMYK at the end, you may see noticeable color shifts in the final print. Building your file in CMYK from the start gives you the most accurate preview of how your printed graphics will actually look.
5. Template compliance
Ace Displays supplies templates for every product with defined dimensions, bleed areas, safe zones, and trim lines. Your artwork needs to be built to those exact specifications. Always use the template provided for the specific product you're ordering, even if you've ordered a similar product before. Based on our experience, 95% of artwork processing delays arise from templates not being used or followed.

Large format printer printing CMYK color bars for trade show display production

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced designers run into these issues when working with large format designs for the first time:

1. Designing in RGB and converting at the end.
Colors that look vibrant on screen can shift noticeably when converted to CMYK at the point of export. Build in CMYK from the start, this way you'll have more realistic expectations and control over the colors on your final printed product.
2. Using a template from a previous order, or creating your own template.
Our artwork templates are precisely designed to perfectly fit our hardware. Exact sizing and placement of design elements is critical. If you're not using our template, it's just not going to work out. Always download the template for the exact product you're ordering and use that as your starting place. Anything less is asking for trouble.
3. Using low resolution images in your artwork.
Every image placed into your artwork file has its own resolution. Even if your overall file is set up correctly, a single low resolution photo or graphic embedded in the design will print poorly at large format sizes. A common mistake is trying to increase an image's resolution in Photoshop by changing the pixel dimensions — this doesn't add real detail, it just stretches and blurs what's already there. You have to start with a high quality source image that has enough pixels to begin with. When sourcing photography or other raster images for your design, always get the highest resolution version available.
4. Leaving text or important elements too close to the trim line.
Anything too close to the edge risks being cut off during finishing. Use the safe zone defined in the template as your boundary for all critical content.
5. Using the wrong design software.
Programs like Canva and Figma are built for web and social media graphics, not large format print production. They lack the ability to work in CMYK color mode, handle high resolution output properly, or import our template PDFs as a design starting point. To produce print ready artwork, you need a professional design application that can open or import our template PDF, design in high resolution CMYK, and export a high quality print ready PDF. Adobe Illustrator is the best tool for the job. Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo, and Affinity Publisher are also capable options.
6. Building black colors incorrectly.
A common mistake is using default black (K100 only), which can look washed out on large prints. The opposite mistake is using a "four-color black" — a black built by stacking high values of Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow on top of Black (for example, C75 M68 Y67 K90). This puts far too much ink on the substrate, which causes drying problems, color bleeding, and other print quality issues. For a rich, neutral black, we recommend C30 M20 Y20 K100 — this produces a deep, clean black without overloading the substrate with ink. For more on why this matters, see the ink density section below.
7. Excessive ink density.
This is a big one. Every area of your printed graphic has a total ink density — the sum of all four CMYK values at that point. When ink density is too high, the print can't dry properly, colors get muddy, and the substrate can buckle or bleed. Designing in RGB is a major cause of this problem, because RGB-to-CMYK conversion often produces unnecessarily heavy ink loads. Dark colors like blacks and browns should be built carefully using mostly K (black) ink to keep total density low. Transparency effects and blending modes like "Multiply" are another common culprit — they can silently stack ink values well beyond acceptable limits. Always check your total ink coverage before exporting.
8. Leaving unwanted elements visible in your file.
If it's visible in your file, it will print. Make sure only your final artwork is showing — any notes, alternate versions, or unused elements should be placed on a hidden layer with visibility turned off before you export.
9. Designing for backlit displays the same way you'd design for front-lit.
Backlit displays are printed on fabric that light shines through, which means very dark colors — especially large areas of solid black — will appear washed out or faded. For backlit graphics, use light and bright colors rather than dark ones for the best results. For more detail, see our guide on designing for backlit displays.

Three designers reviewing printed materials together in a bright creative studio

How to Get It Right the First Time

If you're working with a designer, share the Ace Displays template and technical requirements at the start of the project, not after the design is finished. Retrofitting artwork to meet print specs after the fact is time-consuming and sometimes results in having to redesign elements entirely.

At Ace Displays, every product comes with a downloadable template that includes all the specifications your designer needs. If you don't have a designer on your team, our in-house graphic designers are available to help get your artwork set up correctly and production-ready. Our team is available to answer questions before you submit if anything is unclear.

Submitting correct files the first time keeps your order on schedule and your graphics looking exactly the way they were designed to look.

Have questions about setting up your artwork or need help from our design team? Contact us today!

About Ace Displays

In 2006, Ace Displays was founded in Southern California with the desire to provide quality products at competitive prices with the fastest delivery times in the industry. We believe purchasing an event display and its accessories should be an easy and exciting experience. Leveraging our short lead times to differentiate ourselves, we exist to connect people by providing event solutions that create conversations and lasting impressions.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide the best event & trade show displays at budget-friendly prices with unparalleled service to ensure we exceed our clients expectations and to foster an environment our employees are proud to work in.

The Ace Method

We are excited to work with you - from meeting your budget to meeting your deadlines - we will help you create a display that looks great and asserts your presence. To aid in what can be a rather laborious process, Ace has developed a 6-step method to get you a display quickly and easily so you can focus your time on other areas of your business and upcoming events.

DISCOVER THE ACE METHOD

Once your artwork is approved and your order is complete, your display can arrive in as fast as two days! The shipping time is dependent on which shipping method you choose.

We ship via FedEx or UPS with multiple options available: