Preparing your art files for Printumo

Creating art is only half the battle—getting it print-ready is the next step. Whether you’re an artist, a dropshipper, or building your print-on-demand business, preparing your files for Printumo ensures your designs shine on posters, canvases, and more.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to turn your creative vision into flawless printed products. From file format essentials to DPI settings and color profiles, we’ve got you covered.

Understanding print file essentials

Before uploading your files to Printumo, it's important to understand some design and print file terms to ensure smooth printing results:

Print Size: The physical size your design will be when printed, either measured in centimeter og inches.
Image file size: The amount of storage space your file takes up.
Pixels: The tiny units that make up digital images. Pixel dimensions indicate the total number of pixels in your design’s width and height.
Resolution: Refers to the image's pixel density. For digital files, it's measured in PPI (pixels per inch). For print, it’s DPI (dots per inch). Higher resolution ensures clarity and detail.
DPI (dots per inch): A key measure for print quality. It reflects how many dots of ink are printed per inch. Higher DPI means sharper, professional-quality prints, while lower DPI can result in blurriness.

Why DPI matters for perfect prints

When it comes to printing, DPI (dots per inch) makes a huge difference. Think of DPI as the level of detail your artwork will show in print. Too low, and your designs will look blurry. Too high, and you’re dealing with unnecessarily massive file sizes.

Quick DPI tips for Printumo

150 DPI is the gold standard. This ensures crisp, professional-quality prints for posters, canvases, and other art prints.
Don’t stretch smaller images to make them larger—this can make your file pixelated. Start with a high-resolution image and maintain that quality.

With Printumo, hitting the right DPI is easy. When you upload a file, our platform tells you whether the file is good or not, so you’ll always know if your files are good to go!

How pixels and print size are connected

When preparing your artwork for print, understanding the relationship between pixels and print size is crucial. The number of pixels in your digital file determines the quality of your print, especially when scaled to larger dimensions.

For example, if you want to print a 50x50 cm artwork, your file doesn’t need as many pixels as it would for a 100x100 cm print. This is because larger prints require a higher resolution to maintain sharpness and clarity.

To calculate the required pixel dimensions for your print:

Multiply the print size in centimeters by 150 (the DPI).
Then, divide by 2.54 (to convert inches to centimeters).

Printumo simplifies the process of checking your file size by automatically calculating it for you when you upload your file.

File formats and color profiles

File formats and color profiles might sound intimidating, but they’re crucial for ensuring your art looks as amazing in print as it does on screen.

File formats

For best results, Printumo recommends uploading files in these formats:

PNG for designs requiring transparency (like graphics).
JPEG for high-resolution photos or complex designs.

Color profiles

Have you noticed how colors look different on paper compared to on-screen? That’s because screens and printers use different color profiles.

For the best print quality, make sure your artwork is saved in the RGB color profile. RGB works best for vibrant and accurate colors in digital printing. While we can accept files in CMYK, saving them in RGB will give you better results.

How Printumo helps you optimize your files

At Printumo, we make it easy to ensure your artwork is perfectly prepared for printing. Our platform includes tools and checks to help you avoid common mistakes and get the best results for your prints. Here’s how we assist you:

Automatic Resolution Check

When you upload your file, Printumo automatically checks the resolution and ensures it meets the minimum requirements for your selected print size. If your file’s resolution is too low, we’ll notify you so you can make adjustments before moving forward.

Aspect ratio guidance

Our system ensures your file matches the aspect ratio of your chosen product size. If the dimensions don’t align, we’ll suggest cropping or resizing options to fit your artwork correctly.

Preview tools

Visualize your artwork on mockups to see how it will look as a finished product. This step ensures your design fits perfectly and meets your expectations before printing.

Expert support

Got a specific question? Our team is here to guide you. Whether you’re wondering if your file sizes match or struggling with color issues, we’ll help make it right.

Turn your creativity into prints

You’ve done the hard part—creating your artwork. Now, by following these simple steps, you’ll make sure every file you upload to Printumo is ready for perfect printing.

Remember, you don’t have to do this alone. Printumo’s built-in tools, expert support, and creative community are here to ensure your art looks incredible wherever it’s displayed.

Have files to upload? Start now and bring your artistic vision to life!