Artwork guide
Artwork guide
Two minutes here saves a round of emails later.
Formats, best to worst
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| AI · EPS · SVG · PDF | Vector. Best results at any size. |
| PSD · PNG | 300 dpi at final output size, transparent background. |
| JPG | Works, but no transparency — we'll have to cut it out. |
| ZIP | Fine for multiple files. Tell us which is which. |
| Screenshots | Please don't. Resolution is almost never enough. |
What we need
- Artwork at the size you want it produced
- A cut line — or just tell us the outline and we'll draw it
- Transparent background
Badges are different
Charms and acrylic pins are die-cut to your outline. Badges aren't — so the artwork rules change.
| What | For badges |
|---|---|
| Shape | Round by default — 58 mm or 75 mm. Design for the circle, not for a die-cut outline. |
| Safe margin | Keep important detail 3 mm inside the edge. The dome curves down at the rim. |
| Colour | Full colour, edge to edge. Solid fills and clean shapes read best under the dome. |
| Fine detail | Hairlines under 1 mm can get lost behind the epoxy. If it matters, thicken it. |
| Custom shapes | Possible, but a new die line is needed — same as charms. |
Three things that trip people up
Thin lines
Lines under about 1 mm may not cut cleanly, and thin white gaps can disappear entirely. Thicken them, or tell us and we'll adjust.
Gradients across a cut edge
Colour can band where it meets the cut. Solid fills hold up better at the edge — a 1 mm solid border fixes most of it.
Very small text
Below roughly 4 pt, letters start to fill in. If it's decorative, that's fine. If it needs to be read, size it up.
Not sure? Send it anyway. We check every file before production and we'll tell you exactly what needs changing — that's part of the free sample.