A print-ready file prints exactly the way you designed it: no white edges, no cut-off text, no colour surprises. Here’s how to set one up, using a standard business card as the example.
A standard business card trims to 3.5" x 2". To print it cleanly, your file needs a little extra around the edges and a few technical settings.
| Final (trim) size | 3.5" x 2" |
|---|---|
| Bleed | 0.125" on every side |
| Document size with bleed | 3.75" x 2.25" |
| Safe zone | 3.25" x 1.75" (0.125" inside the trim line) |
| Resolution | 300 DPI at printed size |
| Colour mode | CMYK |
| Fonts | Embedded or converted to outlines |
| File format | High-resolution PDF |
Bleed is artwork that extends past the trim line. Cutting machines can shift by a hair, so if your background stops exactly at 3.5" x 2" you can end up with thin white slivers on the edges. Extend any background colour or image 0.125" past every edge, making your document 3.75" x 2.25".
The safe zone is the area where important content won’t get trimmed. Keep all names, phone numbers, emails and logos inside a 3.25" x 1.75" area, 0.125" in from the trim edge.
Crop marks (also called trim marks) are short lines placed just outside the artwork at each corner. They show exactly where the sheet should be cut. Some printers want them in your PDF; others prefer a clean file with bleed only. Not sure? Ask ePrintCity before you export and we’ll tell you what your job needs.
Printers use CMYK inks (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). Files left in RGB can shift colour when printed. Images should be 300 DPI at their printed size; web images are usually 72 DPI and print blurry.
You can use an AI assistant like Claude to lay out a business card. The key is a detailed prompt that spells out the print specs.
Generate a print-ready PDF for a business card with the following specifications: Dimensions: 3.5" x 2" (final size) with 0.125" bleed on all sides (document size 3.75" x 2.25"). Content: [Insert Name, Title, Contact Info]. Design: [Insert Style, e.g., Minimalist, Corporate]. Technical Requirements: Include crop marks at all four corners, ensure all text stays within the safe zone (3.25" x 1.75"), and use CMYK color mode.
An honest caveat: AI tools are great for layout, but they may not output true CMYK colour or 300 DPI images, and bleed or crop marks can come out wrong. Always check the exported PDF, or email it to [email protected] for a free file check before printing.
Ready to print? See our business card printing options, or learn how our 24 hour print shop in Toronto works.
Bleed is extra artwork that runs past the trim line. For a 3.5" x 2" business card, extend your background 0.125" past every edge so the document is 3.75" x 2.25". After trimming, colour runs cleanly to the edge with no white slivers.
The safe zone is the area inside the trim line where important content is protected. On a 3.5" x 2" card, keep all text and logos inside a 3.25" x 1.75" area, 0.125" in from the trim edge, so nothing gets cut off.
Crop marks are short lines outside the artwork that show where to trim. Some printers need them and some prefer files without them. If you are unsure, ask ePrintCity before you export and we will tell you what we need for your job.
Yes, AI tools can help lay out a card from a detailed prompt, but they may not output true CMYK colour or 300 DPI images. Always check the exported PDF, or send it to ePrintCity for a free file check before it prints.
Send a high-resolution PDF in CMYK, at 300 DPI, with fonts embedded or outlined and 0.125" bleed on every side.
Email your PDF to [email protected] or call us. We’ll check it and confirm your order details before anything prints.