Find quick answers to some of the questions we are asked most often about ordering, artwork, production, delivery and payment.
For subjects that need a little more explanation, you will also find links to our dedicated Ordering, Artwork and Delivery guides.
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Our main support guides contain more detailed information on each stage of ordering from Printdesigns.
Ordering Guidelines
How to order, payment, artwork approval and what happens before production.
View Ordering Guidelines →Artwork Guidelines
Artwork submission, templates, file transfer, proofs and preparing files for print.
View Artwork Guidelines →Delivery Information
Production times, express services, courier delivery, collections and deadlines.
View Delivery Information →Advice & Guides
More detailed help with artwork preparation, print terminology and specialist processes.
Browse Advice & Guides →Ordering & Payment
Questions about placing an order, paying for it and when production begins.
How do I place an order?
Most products can be ordered directly through our website. Select the product, size, quantity and any available options you require and complete the checkout process.
If you would prefer us to raise the order for you, or your requirements are more bespoke, contact our sales team and we can help.
Which payment methods do you accept?
We accept most common credit and debit cards, including Mastercard, Visa and American Express, through our website payment gateway. PayPal is also available for online orders.
If you are unable to order using one of the available online payment methods, contact our sales team. We can raise the order manually and issue an invoice for payment.
Can I set up a credit account?
Credit accounts may be available for government organisations and established business customers. Business credit accounts are subject to approval and credit checks and are normally considered once a suitable trading pattern has been established.
If you would like to discuss credit facilities, please contact us with your company details and requirements.
When does my order enter production?
Printed orders normally enter production once the order requirements are confirmed, payment requirements have been satisfied and your artwork proof has been approved.
If there is an artwork problem or we are waiting for approval, production cannot begin until the outstanding issue has been resolved.
Artwork & Proofs
Quick answers about supplying artwork, file quality and approving your design before printing.
How do I send my artwork?
You can upload artwork against your order through the Your Account area of our website, use our dedicated Artworker upload portal, email suitable files to our artwork team, or send us a download link for larger files.
Whichever method you use, please include your Printdesigns order number so we can allocate the files to the correct job.
Which artwork file types do you accept?
PDF is generally the preferred format for print-ready artwork, although we can work with most common professional and generic artwork formats including AI, EPS, PSD, JPG, TIFF and PNG.
If you supply an editable native design file, make sure any linked images and required fonts are included or embedded.
Do you check my artwork before printing?
Yes. Our artwork team carries out basic production checks, including checking that the artwork dimensions and proportions are suitable for the product ordered. If we identify a production issue, we will contact you.
Our checks are not a substitute for proofreading. Customers remain responsible for checking spelling, grammar, contact details, design content and the subjective quality of images used in their artwork.
If you have a particular concern about an image or another element of your artwork, tell us when you submit it and we will be happy to take a closer look.
Will I receive an artwork proof?
Yes. Once your artwork has been checked and prepared for the product you have ordered, we normally send an electronic proof by email for approval before production begins.
Please check the proof carefully. Production will not normally begin until the proof has been approved.
What resolution should my artwork be?
Resolution depends on the finished print size and intended viewing distance. As a general guide, large-format raster artwork is normally prepared at around 150dpi at full finished size.
If artwork is created at a reduced scale, its resolution needs to increase proportionally. Vector artwork such as logos and text can be enlarged without the same loss of sharpness.
What if my image is not large enough for 150dpi output?
A lower-resolution image is not automatically unusable. The important factors include the intended viewing distance, the amount of fine detail in the image and your own expectations of the finished result.
Large exhibition graphics are often viewed from several metres away, so an image that looks slightly soft when inspected very closely may still be perfectly acceptable in normal use.
If you are unsure, let us know when you submit the artwork and we can give you an opinion on the file you have supplied.
Can you match Pantone colours?
Our full-colour digital printing processes use CMYK inks. Many Pantone colours can be reproduced reasonably closely, but some Pantone shades fall outside the colour range that CMYK printing can reproduce, so an exact match cannot always be guaranteed.
Bright neon colours are a good example of colours that cannot normally be accurately reproduced using standard CMYK inks.
If colour matching is particularly important, please discuss your requirements with us before production.
Production & Delivery
Questions about lead times, urgent orders, dispatch and receiving your goods.
How long will my order take?
Production time depends on the product and the production service selected. The available options and estimated delivery dates are shown during the ordering process.
Production times begin once all requirements for the job are in place, including approved artwork. If you have a fixed event or installation deadline, please tell us before ordering rather than relying solely on an estimated courier delivery date.
Do you offer express production?
Express production is available on many products, subject to stock, artwork approval and current production capacity.
If you have an urgent deadline, please contact us before ordering so we can confirm what is realistically achievable for the product you require.
Will I receive tracking information?
Where tracking is available, details are normally sent after your order has been dispatched. This allows you to follow the progress of the consignment with the carrier.
Some specialist delivery methods, collections or dedicated vehicle services may work differently.
Does someone need to be available to receive the delivery?
We recommend making sure somebody is available at the delivery address to receive the goods. Carrier procedures can vary, and a parcel may not be left unattended if nobody is available.
If delivery is time-critical, use an address where somebody can reliably receive the consignment and contact us in advance if you need to discuss a more controlled delivery service.
What if I have an important event deadline?
Please tell us before placing the order. An estimated courier delivery date is not the same as a guaranteed event deadline, and conventional parcel networks can occasionally experience delays outside our control.
Depending on the job and destination, alternative delivery arrangements such as dedicated vehicle services may be possible at additional cost.
Can I collect my order?
Collection may be available for suitable orders from our premises in Stone, Staffordshire. Please arrange this with us in advance so we can confirm when your order will be ready and ensure the goods are prepared for collection.
Products & General Help
If your requirement is a little less straightforward, our team can help you choose the right solution.
Can you help me choose the right product?
Yes. If you are unsure which display, print material or exhibition system is most appropriate, tell us what you are trying to achieve, where the product will be used, the approximate size and any important practical requirements.
Photographs, event specifications, shell scheme documents and simple sketches can also be extremely useful where relevant.
Can you produce bespoke sizes or configurations?
Many of our printed products can be produced to bespoke dimensions, while modular exhibition systems can often be configured in different sizes and layouts.
Availability depends on the product, so contact us with the dimensions and configuration you need and we can advise on the most suitable option.
Can I order replacement graphics for an existing display?
Replacement graphics are available for many display systems that we supply. If the original display was purchased from us, your previous order details can often help us identify the correct graphic.
For displays supplied by another manufacturer, compatibility needs to be considered carefully. Different systems can use different graphic dimensions, fittings and finishing methods, so we cannot assume that a replacement graphic will fit simply from the nominal display size.
What if I cannot find the product or information I need?
Please get in touch. Not every possible size, configuration or application can be represented by a standard product page, and we may be able to suggest an alternative or bespoke solution.
The more information you can provide about what you are trying to achieve, the easier it is for us to recommend the most appropriate option.
Still Have a Question?
If you cannot find the answer you need, please get in touch. Our team can help with product selection, artwork, ordering, production and delivery questions.
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