Why file quality matters
The quality of your flag depends entirely on the artwork file you supply. A beautiful design submitted at too low a resolution or in the wrong format will result in blurry printing or colour inconsistencies. In this article we explain which file formats we accept, what resolution is required, and how to set your colour and bleed settings correctly.
Accepted file formats
We accept the following file formats:
- PDF — Recommended for print-ready files. Make sure all fonts are embedded (as 'outlines') and that a bleed area is included.
- AI (Adobe Illustrator) — Vector file: infinitely scalable without quality loss. Convert all fonts to outlines before saving.
- EPS — Vector format, suitable if you work in older software. Convert fonts to outlines here too.
- PNG — Acceptable for logos and illustrations provided the resolution is high enough (see below). Use a transparent background if you want to place the logo separately.
- JPG/JPEG — Acceptable for photos and backgrounds. Save at the highest quality setting (minimal compression).
Minimum resolution
For sublimation printing on flags, the guideline is:
- Vector files (PDF, AI, EPS): No minimum resolution required — vectors are infinitely scalable.
- Raster files (PNG, JPG): At least 150 dpi at the actual print size. For a standard 150 × 100 cm facade flag this works out to roughly 8,860 × 5,900 pixels. More pixels is better; in practice, since a flag is viewed from a distance, a somewhat lower resolution is often acceptable.
Tip: Not sure whether your file is sharp enough? Zoom in to 100% in your image-editing application. If the design already looks grainy or blurry on screen, the resolution is too low for printing.
Colour settings (CMYK vs RGB)
Screens use the RGB colour model, but printing works in CMYK. Colour differences can occur — especially with vivid colours such as neon orange, bright red, or vivid green. To avoid surprises:
- Supply vector files in CMYK if you want precise control over how the colour will look in print.
- RGB files are automatically converted to CMYK by us, but this can result in minor colour shifts.
- Brand colour users: provide the Pantone (PMS) code or the CMYK recipe in the file notes when placing your order, so we can match your brand colour as closely as possible.
Bleed and safe zone
Your flag design must include a bleed area of at least 5 mm on all sides. This is the area that may be trimmed or folded during finishing. Do not place important information (text, logos, faces) in this area.
Also keep a 10 mm safe zone inside the trim line for all essential design elements.
Converting text to outlines
If your file contains text that has not yet been converted to outlines, the font may appear differently on our systems or be replaced with a default font. Always convert all text to outlines / curves before saving your file.
In Adobe Illustrator: Select all text → Type > Create Outlines.
In Adobe InDesign: Export as PDF with ‘Embed Fonts’ enabled.
Placing your order and uploading your file
When placing your order, you can upload your artwork directly. After we receive it, we check the file against the technical points above and will contact you if there is an issue.
Have questions about your file? Contact us — we are happy to help you with the technical preparation.
