Bleed
Artwork extends past the edge so every label trims cleanly.
AI and printing
Used AI to design your logo or label?
Everyone is using AI right now, and it’s amazing for some things. But it can’t create print-ready artwork. The good news? It can still be a brilliant part of your process, once you know where it helps and where it doesn’t.
AI is built for visuals,
not production.
It can create an amazing-looking design, but it isn’t print ready. Think of it as a mockup: a brilliant way to find inspiration and show your designer exactly what you’re hoping to achieve.
Your designer then builds the real artwork with print specifications and limitations in mind, so what arrives at your door looks as good as what you imagined.
WHY CAN'T I PRINT AI FILES?
AI gives you an image. We need a print-ready file.
An AI mockup
- Flat, with no editable layers - like a photo
- Low resolution: blurry when printed
- Never quite the size you need (no matter how many times you ask!)
- Colours that shift on screen vs print
Print-ready artwork
- Fully editable, layer by layer
- Perfectly crisp at any size
- Designed to your exact label dimensions
- Set up for foils, textures and specialty finishes
A great print result isn’t just “what looks nice”
When our designers create your artwork, they build all of this in, so your labels print perfectly every time.
Safe zones
Important text and logos sit well inside the cut line.
Correct sizing
Built to your exact dimensions - especially important on labels.
Readability
Text that’s still legible on small label sizes.
No faked effects
No gradients, shadows, fake embossing, foil or texture (AI loves these).
Foiling
Raised 3D embellishment
Textured vinyl
Spotgloss + spotmatte
SPECIALTY FINISHES
You can’t print a mockup
AI is very good at faking gold foil, embossing, texture and lighting. But with specialty label printing, those effects happen at the press, not in the artwork.
Print fake texture onto textured vinyl and it looks like a mess. Print fake gold and it will never shine like real foil. We need clean, editable artwork so we can apply the real thing.
So… is AI useless?
Not at all. It’s a great starting point, just not the final product.
Use AI for
- Brainstorming ideas
- Collecting inspiration and moodboards
- Showing your designer the vibe you’re after
- Visualising what your product could look like
AI won’t give you
- Print-ready files
- Accurate colour
- Proper layout for production
- Reliable, consistent results
From AI mockup to printed label
This is where we come in. We can’t always recreate AI artwork exactly (for IP reasons), but we’ll get a clear idea of what you love and create something original with your mockups and inspiration in mind.
1
Share your AI ideas
Send us your mockups, inspiration and label size. The more you share, the better.
2
We design it properly
Our designers rebuild your concept as original, vector artwork made for print.
3
Approve your proof
Review the print-ready artwork and request any tweaks until it’s just right.
4
Print + deliver
We print locally in Sydney and send your labels straight to your door.
Send us your AI idea, we’ll work our magic.
Tell us about your product and attach your AI mockups. Our in-house designers, Cynthia and Kellie, will turn them into print-ready artwork.
