A typical email we receive is like the following:
I am an artist and have been trying to figure out a way to get good prints of my work to sell. I printed a handful of times from you guys, and the quality was pretty good but not exactly what I want. I think the problem is me, not you, haha. I’m a little new to the getting prints world, and I wondered if you had any tips for getting the images very clear & the correct colors.
Rightfully, many artists are curious about sharpness and color accuracy. The truth is, we cannot always guarantee your art will print as you intend. There are so many factors related to your file before we even receive it. Thankfully, you can take a few steps to help improve your chances of reproducing your art.
- Convert your art to CMYK. For everything 13×19 and under, we strictly print in this color mode. If you convert your file into CMYK color mode, that will resolve 90% of any color issues. If you do not have a way to handle the conversion, you can select the $5 digital proof. We will send you a PDF showing any color changes before printing begins. Learn more about RGB and CMYK on our blog.
- Make sure you are working in 300 DPI. High resolution is the key to sharp prints. When you scan your physical images, make sure to use the highest settings of quality. This plan is not full proof (nothing is) since there can be blurry images within a high-quality file. If you are a digital artist, make sure you work with 300 to 600 dpi or a considerable canvas area.
- Select a digital proof for only $5. We will email you a PDF file that showcases most color changes during conversion on our side. Again, this is not full proof since many of our monitors show different color variances.
Printkeg artists review all artwork before printing. If your file quality is low, we will not print it without asking for a better version from you. We do not halt production for color changes that occur due to RGB to CMYK conversion. This circumstance is why a digital PDF proof can go a long way towards catching color mishaps.
Also, paper can affect the color and sharpness. For instance, gloss prints may appear more vibrant than those on matte. Matte images may appear crisper than textured or canvas prints. We intended these variations with the different art papers. See all of our papers now.
If you have ANY concerns, you can always let us know in your order’s instructions area. We are here to help you receive the best prints possible. Feel free to call an expert at 843-379-1198. Be sure to leave a message.
Helpful articles on our blog.
How to sell your physical painting as sellable prints
How to get started selling prints of your painting
5 Common file preparation problems to avoid