Getting Started with WeEngrave
For optimal results, it’s crucial to follow these design guidelines when preparing your files for printed products with WeEngrave. This ensures your designs come out exactly as you envision them, without any surprises.
The Importance of the Print Template
When designing for UV printed products, using the provided template is essential. The template outlines the entire "printing" area, including safe margins, and helps you accurately determine the size and placement of your artwork.
File Formats and Resolution
- Accepted Formats: WeEngrave accepts PNG files with transparent backgrounds. This prevents unwanted backgrounds in your prints and allows the design to seamlessly integrate with the product.
- Resolution: The minimum recommended resolution is 200 DPI (dots per inch), but for the best results, we suggest using 300 DPI. Higher resolution ensures that your designs are crisp and clear, without any pixelation.
Printing White
When creating designs for UV printing, it’s important to understand how white elements are handled. Any white element in your PNG file will be printed as white. This means if your design includes white text or shapes, they will appear white on the final product.
However, if the background color of your file is white, it will also be printed as white. This can result in an undesirable white box around your design. To avoid this issue, it’s crucial to upload files with a transparent background. This ensures that only your intended design elements are printed, and there are no unintended white areas on the final product.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Low-Resolution Images: Do not resize low-quality images to make them larger. This reduces DPI and results in pixelation. Always start with high-resolution images.
- Unwanted Backgrounds: Ensure your design does not have unwanted backgrounds. Use tools to remove any unnecessary background elements.
- Improper Transparency: Be cautious with transparency in your design. Transparent elements may not print as expected, especially on materials and products that are not white, which therefore require a white underbase
Tips for Specific Products
Acrylic and Wooden Signs: When designing for acrylic or wooden signs, avoid using very thin fonts and intricate details. A line thickness of at least 1mm is recommended for all design elements to ensure clear and precise engraving.
Ornaments and Small Items: Use a higher DPI for smaller items like mugs and phone cases, as these prints require more detail. Aim for 300 DPI for the best results.