Print file requirements

The resolution of a print file refers to the quality and sharpness of detail in an image file, measured in dots per inch (dpi). This is especially important for printed materials, as low-resolution images may appear blurry or fuzzy in print.

DPI (dots per inch) is a unit of measurement that indicates how many dots are printed within one inch. The higher the DPI value, the more detail and sharpness the image contains.

How to check and set resolution:
Most graphic editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, allows users to set and verify the resolution of an image file.

Impact on print quality:
Low-resolution images can lead to print issues such as blurriness, pixelation, loss of detail, or color distortion. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that all elements in a print file have sufficient resolution.

Note! Resolution in scaled-down files
If you have scaled down your file, don’t forget to increase the resolution accordingly!
For example, if a print file should be 75 dpi at 1:1 scale, then a file scaled down to 1:10 must have a resolution of 750 dpi.

Our printers have different resolutions:

·     Extra wide or XXL format printers don’t need resolution more than 100 dpi.

·     Wide format or XL format printers need resolution 150-300 dpi.

·     Smaller format and photoprint quality items need resolution 600–1000 dpi.

Print files must be in their final correct measures.
Proportional reduction of 1:2 (reduced 2 times) or 1:10 (reduced 10 times) can be used for print files larger than 5 meters.

We print in CMYK colours. Please notice that many Pantone Solid Coated colours are not achievable in four-colour digital print. We recommend to send us the desired PMS code beforehand by e-mail in order to achieve the best CMYK equivalent.

Please note that the Pantone color chart was updated in 2023, and in connection with this, the CMYK codes of some Pantone color codes have changed. Please always specify which Pantone color chart has been used.

Please convert design files in RGB color space to CMYK color space before sending to us. During the conversion, the colors in the file may change, so please check that they meet your expectations even after the conversion.

In case of repeated orders (same product, same material, etc.), the colours may not remain exactly the same as the last time. The difference may be due to a different batch of material, ink or lifetime of the previous product.

If you want your design to have a deep black color tone, please set the CMYK code to 0:0:0:100. All parts of the design with this code will be adjusted according to the printing device and technical characteristics, and will later remain deep black.

Cutting lines must be shown for special shape prints. Cutting line must be on the visual design and made as SPOT-colour:

·     Cut– section;

·     Crease– folding line;

·     Drill– holes for binding;

·     PartialCut– partial section.

Please use overprint when making the files.

·     WeTransfer – free file transfers up to 2 GB https://www.wetransfer.com if you have our client manager and the contact e-mail. 

·     Upload files to FTP server. Using for example FileZilla: https://filezilla-project.org/

FTP-server adress: ftp.metroprint.ee
User: metro
Password: print
Load files to server and send information about file name to you contact in Metroprint. 

·   Please don’t use special or dotted characters in file names.

·   Add bleed to files 3-5mm.

·   Please don’t use MS Office programs for print file creation, we don’t print them.

·   Only use overprint when you need to show cutting sections.

·   Please don’t add trim marks to corners.

·   Fonts need to be curved.

Important parts of the design should be more than 5cm from the outer edge of the banner. In this way, you avoid situations where an important part of the design (e.g. text or message) is covered by a seam or eyelet.

We ask that in the print files sent, the spot colors are marked with the exact names they actually are.

If it is necessary to indicate a cut line, then the spot colour must be marked as "cut".
If it is necessary to indicate a v-cut, then the spot colour must be marked as "v-cut".
If it is necessary to indicate a partial cut, then the spot colour must be marked as "partial cut".
If it is necessary to indicate a crease, the spot colour must be marked as "crease".
If it is necessary to print white somewhere, the spot colour must be marked as "WHITE_INK".

If the spot colour is marked as "PANTONE xxx", we will print it on the product.