How long does printing take?
Typical times, so you can plan. Vendors vary, so the desk confirms dates when it orders. Anything submitted later than “Submit at least” becomes a rush: an owner must approve it, and it may cost more or not arrive in time.
Turnaround by item type
What happens after you submit
When should I submit?
Design file size: bleed and safe margin
Printers can't print right to the edge. They print on a bigger sheet and cut it to size, and the cut can move a little. So for anything with colour or a photo touching the edge, the design file must be a little bigger than the size you order. The request form shows the exact file size for your item.
- Bleed: extend backgrounds and photos past the cut line by the bleed on every side. A 4×6 in postcard file is 4¼ × 6¼ in.
- Safe margin: keep all text, logos, QR codes and murti images at least this far inside the cut line, so nothing important gets trimmed.
- Banners with hems are the exception: the file is the exact size, with no bleed, and text stays clear of hems and grommets.
- In Canva, turn on Show print bleed (File menu) and download as PDF Print with Crop marks and bleed ticked. In PowerPoint, set the slide size to the full file size shown below.
Materials: which one should I pick?
Drawings to show the difference, not photos. Not sure? Choose the first (default) one for your item type, or ask the desk.
Before you submit
You'll confirm these with one tick on the request form: