Graphic Specifications & Artwork Setup Guide
Welcome! This guide walks you through preparing print-ready artwork for WS Display products. A few minutes here saves you time later — it helps you avoid upload errors, production delays, and print-quality surprises, so your order moves into production smoothly the first time.
Before You Start
Here's a quick checklist to set yourself up for success before you dive into designing:
- Download the product-specific template from the product page.
- Design at the exact template size.
- Use CMYK color mode.
- Keep important text and logos inside the safe zone.
- Save your final artwork as a PDF when possible.
- Double-check your final file dimensions before uploading.
Designing in Photoshop? One quick heads-up: opening our PDF templates with the wrong import settings is the #1 cause of rejected uploads — and it's easy to avoid. Take a look at Photoshop Setup before you open the template. It only takes a minute.
⚠️ Important: Photoshop Users
If you design in Photoshop, this is the most important section on this page. Many upload errors happen when a PDF template is opened with the wrong import settings. Photoshop quietly remembers your previous PDF import settings — such as 300 DPI or a different crop option — which can cause the document to open at the wrong size without you ever noticing. The good news: it's a simple fix once you know what to look for.
How to open a WS Display PDF template in Photoshop
- Go to File > Open and select the PDF template.
- In the Import PDF window, set “Crop To” to “Trim Box.”
- Set Resolution to 125 DPI.
- Click OK.
- Before you start designing, take a second to confirm the Photoshop document size matches the template dimensions.
- When your design is done, save/export as a PSD in case you need to edit it later. Once that is saved, flatten your artwork into one layer and save the final artwork as a PDF before uploading.
❌ Why the wrong size gets rejected
If the file opens at the wrong size, the upload system may reject your artwork because the dimensions don't match the template. Here's what that looks like in practice:
| Expected template size | 126.5" × 84" |
|---|---|
| Incorrectly imported size | 106.67" × 84" |
Seeing a dimension mismatch error after uploading? No worries — just reopen the template in Photoshop using Trim Box and 125 DPI, re-save your artwork, and upload again. That resolves it in almost every case.
File Formats
Preferred format
- PDF (print-ready)
We also accept
- AI (Adobe Illustrator)
- EPS
- PSD (flattened)
- TIFF
- JPG
Why do we recommend PDF? This format works best with our print profiles, RIPs, and printers.
Resolution Guidelines
Photoshop / raster artwork
- Some of our templates are scaled at half size because of the product's size and Illustrator limitations. In this case, open the file at 250 DPI in Photoshop.
- Recommended document resolution: 125–150 DPI at final (full) size.
- Place or drag your high-resolution images (300 DPI) into the 125–150 DPI document and scale as needed.
- Design at full size unless the template specifically instructs otherwise.
- Skip low-resolution web images, screenshots, and video frame captures — they look fine on screen but print poorly at large sizes.
Illustrator / vector artwork
- Keep logos, text, and shapes as vector whenever you can — vector stays perfectly sharp at any size.
- Any placed raster images should be 300 DPI at full size.
- Outline all fonts before submitting.
- Embed all linked images.
Not sure about your image quality? Image quality isn't automatically reviewed during proofing, but we're happy to take a look for you. Just reach out to graphics@wsdisplay.combefore approving your order.
Font & Image Requirements
- Outline all fonts. This keeps your typography exactly as you designed it — no missing or substituted fonts during output. (In Illustrator: Type > Create Outlines.)
- Embed all images. Linked-only files can go missing between your computer and ours.
- Clean up any unused artwork outside the final print area.
- Remove template instruction layers and guides (e.g., “CutContour,” red template layers, crop marks) — unless they're meant to be part of the final print file, of course.
Color Guidelines
- Use CMYK color mode. Colors set in RGB won't print the way they look on screen. (Photoshop: Image > Mode > CMYK. Illustrator: set the document color mode and color palette to CMYK.)
- Stick to standard CMYK color swatches — no custom swatches or spot-named colors unless they come from the Pantone Color Bridge Coated library.
- You're welcome to specify Pantone (PMS) colors, but final output is produced using CMYK print processes unless otherwise arranged.
- Color can vary slightly between monitors, digital proofs, and the final printed material — that's normal for large-format printing.
- If color accuracy is critical for your project, get in touch before production, or add our PMS Color Match Service to your order.
True Black Recommendations
Want a True Black? Use the formula that matches your material — these mixes are tuned specifically to our printers and print profiles:
A 0% C/M/Y mix may seem surprising, but our print profiles are adjusted for this exact formula. It reduces overinking (banding, mottling, transfer wrinkles), is less likely to flag automated proofing, and prints a cleaner black.
For these materials, this true black mix gives you the deepest output.
One thing to keep in mind: blacks may not look deep on your screen — every monitor is different. RGB blacks convert to a weak CMYK black, so always set your black values directly in CMYK.
PMS Color Match Service
Our printers use CMYK inks, which may not perfectly match PMS (Pantone Matching System®) colors. While we don't print Pantone colors directly, we get them as close as possible with CMYK. If your project is color-critical and references PMS colors, we strongly recommend this service.
- Pricing: Each selection covers one Pantone color on one material type (e.g., PMS 485 on Stretch Fabric). Additional colors or materials are charged per selection.
- Process: Make sure your order includes a PMS match with the other products you ordered. Once you approve your digital proofs, our Graphics Department matches your specified PMS color(s) as closely as possible with CMYK.
- Turnaround: Color matching adds 1–2 business days to your order.
- Send us an editable/layered file (PDF, Adobe Illustrator, or Adobe Photoshop).
- Choose Pantone colors from the Color Bridge Coated book only. Want to preview the CMYK conversion yourself? Check the “CP” (Process Coated) swatch (e.g., 192 CP).
- We aren't able to match HEX colors, swatches from other books, textures, gradients, pastels, bright neons, or metallic colors.
- We can color-match all materials except: acrylic, backlit fabric, backlit film, towels, blankets, dye-sub aluminum, canvas, and coroplast.
Final Artwork Checklist
You're almost there! Give every item a quick check before you upload:
- File dimensions match the template.
- Important content is inside the safe zone.
- Fonts are outlined.
- Images are embedded.
- Artwork is CMYK.
- File is saved as PDF when possible.
- Template guides and instruction layers are removed from the final print file.
- You've opened the final file one last time and everything looks right.
Why Was My Artwork Rejected?
It happens — even to experienced designers. If your upload was rejected, the reason is almost always the same one:
- Incorrect file dimensions — the file doesn't match the template size.
The good news: it's usually a quick fix. Check whether the PDF template was opened in Photoshop using “Trim Box” and the correct DPI — 125 DPI for full-size templates, or 250 DPI for templates scaled at half size. Photoshop Setup walks you through it step by step.
Graphic Design Support
Rather have a hand with your artwork? Our designers are here to help at $65 per hour. We scope every project before work begins, so you'll know what to expect. Typical projects include:
- Express Design (1–2 hours): simple layout and typesetting with vector-based or high-resolution graphics.
- Custom Design (3–4 hours): layout, typesetting, and simple photo editing (cropping and color adjusting).
- Advanced Custom Design (5–7 hours): layout, typesetting, photo editing (cropping, color adjusting, and cloning), and creation of vector elements.
A tip to keep things moving: share as many assets as you can — images, copy, and vector-based graphics like logos and text. And if you'd like our designers to modify existing artwork, send along your original Illustrator file(s).
Need Help Before Uploading?
Not sure if your artwork meets the requirements? No problem — our Graphics team is happy to take a look before you approve production. It's always easier to catch something early.
Email graphics@wsdisplay.comOr give us a call at 800.640.9544 (press 2)