Print-Ready Artwork Explained: Logos, Resolution, and Bleed for Booth Graphics

Here's a scenario we see all the time: a vendor sends us their logo, and it's a small image saved from Instagram. On a phone screen, it looks perfect. Blown up to cover a seven-foot banner, it would turn into a blurry, pixelated mess. Understanding a few print basics will save you time, money, and disappointment when you order booth graphics.

Vector vs. raster: the most important difference

Raster images (JPG, PNG, most photos and screenshots) are made of pixels. Enlarge them too much and the pixels become visible.

Vector files (AI, EPS, SVG, and many PDFs) are made of mathematical shapes. They can scale to any size, from a business card to a 10-foot backdrop, with perfectly sharp edges.

For logos, vector is always best. If you only have a small PNG of your logo, it may need to be redrawn as a vector before printing large.

Resolution: how much is enough?

For raster artwork like character illustrations or photos, resolution matters. Large-format prints are viewed from farther away than a flyer, so they don't need the same pixel density as a small print, but they still need far more pixels than a social media image. A file that's only 1080 pixels wide won't stretch across a banner. When in doubt, send the largest original file you have and let your printer check it.

Bleed and safe zones

• Bleed is extra artwork that extends beyond the final edge, so there's no white sliver if the cut is slightly off.
• Safe zone is the inner area where important text and logos should stay. On a retractable banner, the bottom portion often sits inside the base, so key info should never go there.
• Tablecloths have folds and corners. Logos placed too close to an edge can wrap around the corner on a custom tablecloth.

Color: screen vs. print

Screens display color with light (RGB), while printers use ink (CMYK). Some very bright neon colors on screen can't be matched exactly in print. That's normal. A good printer will adjust your files and show you a proof first.

Don't want to deal with any of this?

You don't have to. Every Roxen Designs product includes custom design work and a free digital proof before printing. We handle the technical file setup. If your logo is low-quality or doesn't exist yet, our Custom Premium Logo Design gives you a clean, scalable logo built for everything from stickers to backdrops. Or bundle the logo with booth gear in the Classic Starter Bundle.

Quick checklist before you order

• Send your logo as a vector file if you have one.
• Send the largest, original version of any artwork.
• Keep text away from edges and the banner base.
• Expect slight color differences between screen and print.
• Always review the proof carefully before approving.