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Connect Guide

How to Prepare Print-Ready Artwork

A start-to-finish checklist for preparing greeting card artwork that is ready to upload to You Said It Connect.

About 6 minutesArtwork preparationSquare, A6 & A5

Before you start

Good print-ready artwork is mostly about getting a few important things right before you upload. Your file needs the correct dimensions, enough image resolution, 3mm bleed, safely positioned important content and suitable colour and export settings.

This guide brings those checks together in one place. If you need more detail on a particular subject, follow the links to our dedicated artwork guides.

A simple route to print-ready artwork1Correct sizeSquare, A6 or A5Correct dimensions2300 DPIEnough detailfor clean print33mm bleedExtend artworkpast trim4Safe contentKeep key detailsaway from edges5Export & checkRGB/sRGB JPGor PNGSize → Resolution → Bleed → Safe content → ExportFollowing the same checks every time helps prevent common artwork problems.
A consistent preparation process makes it easier to catch artwork issues before upload.

1. Start with the correct artwork size

Choose your Connect card size and create the design at the correct flat artwork dimensions. These dimensions include the required 3mm outer bleed.

Square

306 × 156mm
at 300 DPI

A6

216 × 154mm
at 300 DPI

A5

303 × 216mm
at 300 DPI

Working in pixels?

Keep the exact aspect ratio of the required Connect artwork size. Avoid independently rounding converted pixel dimensions, as even a small difference can cause an aspect-ratio error when you upload.

2. Prepare your artwork at 300 DPI

Create the document at the correct physical size and 300 DPI. Use high-quality source images and avoid enlarging small images to fill large areas.

Changing a low-resolution file to “300 DPI” does not create missing detail.

Learn more about image resolution & 300 DPI →

3. Make sure your bleed is correct

Connect artwork requires 3mm bleed around the outside edges. Background colours, photos, patterns and other elements intended to reach the finished edge should continue through this bleed area.

Learn more about print bleed →

4. Keep important content safely inside the edge

Bleed is for elements intended to run off the card. Important content should stay comfortably inside the finished edge.

Text

Keep names, messages and wording away from the trim edge.

Logos

Keep branding safely inside the finished card area.

Important details

Faces and key illustrations should not sit where trimming movement could affect them.

Be careful with borders

Thin borders close to the edge can appear uneven after trimming. Keep important borders well inside the trim edge.

5. Prepare colours with print in mind

Screens create colour using RGB light, while printed cards reproduce colour using ink on paper. Some bright or highly saturated screen colours may therefore look slightly different when printed.

Design with CMYK reproduction in mind where possible. For Connect, export your finished artwork as a high-quality RGB/sRGB JPG or PNG.

Learn more about RGB, CMYK & printed colours →

6. Check the front, back and fold

Your artwork is supplied as a flat card spread. Make sure the front and back are positioned correctly and important elements do not accidentally cross the centre fold.

Use the Connect artwork preview to check the layout before saving.

Remember

The centre fold is not an outside trim edge, so you do not add bleed down the fold. The 3mm bleed is around the outside of the flat artwork.

7. Export your finished artwork

Export the finished design as a high-quality JPG or PNG in RGB/sRGB at 300 DPI. Open the exported file before uploading and check that nothing has shifted, disappeared or been cropped unexpectedly.

8. Using Canva?

Our Canva templates are already set to the correct Connect artwork proportions.

Square template

306 × 156mm

Open Square template →

A5 template

303 × 216mm

Open A5 template →

A6 template

216 × 154mm

Open A6 template →

Final pre-upload checklist

Before uploading your design to Connect, check each of the following.

The artwork uses the correct Square, A6 or A5 dimensionsThe document is prepared at 300 DPIHigh-quality source images and illustrations have been used3mm bleed is included around the outside edgesBackgrounds and edge-to-edge elements extend fully through the bleedText, logos and important details are safely inside the trim edgeThe front, back and centre fold are positioned correctlyThe finished file is a high-quality RGB/sRGB JPG or PNGThe exported file has been checked before upload

Ready to upload?

Once these checks are complete, your artwork should be ready to add to Connect. Use the upload preview as one final opportunity to check the design before saving it.

How to Upload Your Artwork