Frequently Asked Questions
Preparing for Print
We accept files in high-quality PDF format but if you are unable to save your file as a PDF, a high-resolution JPEG or PNG file will do in most cases.
For printing, the minimum resolution we require is 300 dpi, but keep in mind that you don’t have to worry about resolution if you save your file as a PDF, since it will be in vector format, meaning we will be able to print it at the highest resolution possible. Having said that, any non-vector images should be embedded in your file at 300 dpi.
You require a bleed if any part of your artwork goes all the way to the edge of your print (in other words, where it will be cut). Not adding a bleed could result in a white edge along one or more sides of your print, since cutters are not always 100% accurate. We recommend adding a 2 mm bleed.
Object > Path > Offset Path… is a great way to add cut lines to stickers in Adobe Illustrator. Remember to save them in a bright colour such as magenta so we can see them and convert them to the right spot colour for our printer. If you’re not sure how to add cut lines, we have created a template with step-by-step instructions. Otherwise, we are also happy to do it for you.
CMYK (cyan, yellow, magenta, black) is the standard colour space used for printing, since those are the ink cartridges the printer uses. RGB is what is displayed on screens and includes colours that cannot be reproduced accurately with a normal printer. For that reason, we recommend that you always design in CMYK when you are planning to print your artwork.
Instead of using 100% K, which usually prints closer to a dark grey/charcoal, we recommend using the following colour ratio for rich black:
C: 60% M: 40% Y: 40% K: 100%
Do not set all of your colours to 100%, as this will oversaturate the paper.
We generally don’t require you to add any printer marks to your artwork, since we usually add them ourselves if the print requires it, but if you do want to indicate where your artwork should be trimmed, it is always a good idea to include crop marks. (Note: This is not necessary for stickers, which only require cut lines.)
Most of the time, it is fine to send your file via email to hello@pleeko.co.za but if your artwork is larger than 20 MB, please send us your file via a file transfer service such as WeTransfer or Dropbox.
- Expand all your text before sending us your final artwork.
- Flattening your artwork before you send it to us makes it a lot easier for us to work with.
- If you’ve used any external images in your design, make sure that they are embedded in your file and not linked.
- If none of the above makes sense, you can also package your final artwork in Illustrator or InDesign before sending it to us.
- Design your artwork in CMYK, instead of converting it from RGB before you print. This will give you more colour accuracy in the final design.
In fact, we do! Visit the print templates page to download template files that contain step-by-step instructions.
Design Tips
Google Fonts and Font Squirrel are really good sites for finding fonts that are free for both personal and commercial use. If you cannot find what you are looking for however, we have a wide range of font families to choose from, including classics like Helvetica, Univers, Futura, Rockwell, Bodoni and many more. We’ll happily edit your design to include the font of your choice.
When in doubt, keep it simple. Use only one or two fonts in a single design and make sure that they are not only legible, but appropriate. If you have any doubts about the fonts you have selected, come and speak to us and we’ll be happy to make the necessary adjustments to your design to ensure that it is well designed and appropriate for your brand.
The colours you choose for your design depends on what the design is for, what colours your brand uses (if applicable) and how those colours will look together. To create a new colour palette from scratch, we suggest using a colour palette generator such as Coolors or Adobe Color.
If you are unsure about your colour choices before printing, we’re happy to print a proof of your design for you to see what it looks like.
While Pleekō no longer offers design services (apart from file setups and the occasional edit), we have put together a directory of graphic designers and illustrators, should you be in need of a new design or branding.
General
We are based in Somerset West and yes, we do deliver. If you are in the Helderberg area, we will deliver your order to you for free. For orders outside the Helderberg area, we use a courier service. For all orders that require a courier, we charge a flat shipping rate of R95 (excl. VAT). Additional charges may apply if you are in an outlying/regional area. You also have the option of collecting your order or arranging your own courier.
For most of our products we are happy to do a free test print, so you can check the print quality before we proceed with any bulk printing. Please note: We cannot do free-of-charge test prints for large format items such as banners, t-shirts, tote bags or other finished products.
Our lead times vary depending on the order and how busy we are at the time. Banners, wallpaper and small poster orders generally have the fastest turnaround times (2–3 business days on average), while larger orders and products that need to be cut and finished, take a little bit longer. Contact us if you would like to know how long a specific order will take.
Unfortunately not. We specialise in printing only and therefore do not offer installation or application services.
Unfortunately not. All payments should be made upfront via EFT before we can start on your order.