file setup

File Setup Guidelines – Print-Ready Specs for Fast, Flawless Printing

To ensure your order prints correctly and without delays, it’s important to follow our file setup guidelines. At Flyer Studios, we process thousands of designs every month—and files that meet these standards print faster and more accurately.

Here’s everything you need to know before uploading your artwork.

📏 File Dimensions & Bleed

All print-ready files must include bleed and follow our size specifications.

ProductFinal Trim SizeFile with Bleed
4” x 6” Flyer3.95” x 5.95”4” x 6”
5” x 7” Postcard4.95” x 6.95”5” x 7”
6” x 9” EDDM5.95” x 8.95”6” x 9”
Business Cards3.50” x 2.00”3.625” x 2.125”

✅ Bleed: Add 0.125” to each edge of your file

✅ Safe Zone: Keep text/images at least 0.125” away from the trim edge

🎨 Color Mode & Resolution

  • Files must be in CMYK color mode
  • Use a minimum resolution of 300 DPI for print clarity
  • Convert all text to outlines (vector) or embed fonts

🚫 Files submitted in RGB or low resolution may print with color or clarity issues.

🖼️ Accepted File Formats

  • ✅ PDF (preferred)
  • ✅ JPG / JPEG (high resolution)
  • ✅ TIFF (flattened)
  • ✅ PNG (for digital use only, not print)
  • ❌ PSD, AI, or other editable formats should be exported before upload

💡 Tip: Always flatten and outline your files before submitting.

📂 File Submission Tips

  • One design per file—don’t submit multiple designs in a single document
  • Double-check sizing and bleed before upload
  • Save with clear filenames (ex: club-flyer-4x6-front.pdf)

❗ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting files without bleed
  • Using low-res screenshots instead of proper print files
  • Missing fonts or images in AI/PSD files
  • Borders that are too close to the trim edge (may look uneven after cutting)

📞 Need Help?

If you’re unsure whether your file is ready to print, we’re here to help.

📏 Bleed & Trimming Guidelines

An 1/8 (.125) of an inch is the minimum required, but we always recommend you use a 1/4 inch (.25) for better results.

Please keep your text and images inside an 1/8 inch!

This sample below will show you how the same file can be submitted incorrectly. Please notice, the file was designed with all of the text and graphics right up to the corner edge. In the end result, the cutting of logos, text, and graphics will occur.

📎 Important Note About Gang Run Printing

Due to GangRun printing, any flyer or postcard you get from Flyer Studios needs to be cut out of a RUN large sheet. This means that a 4 x 6 postcard will have to be trimmed down a bit when cut. The end result will be a postcard which is about 3.875 x 5.875 inches.

This applies to all of our flyer/postcard sizes except business cards, which are cut exactly to 3.5 x 2 inches.