Submit artwork at a minimum of 150 DPI at full print size (300 DPI preferred for photographic or fine-detail work). DPI (dots per inch) determines how much image data is available per printed inch — higher values mean sharper output.

Try to avoid submitting small images that need to be scaled up — enlarging a low-resolution source introduces visible blurriness, pixelation (the blocky, staircase-step effect seen when individual pixels become visible), and interpolation artifacts (soft, smeared areas where the software guessed at missing detail).

We recommend against artificially upscaling low-resolution images using software resize or AI upscaling tools before submission. These methods generally can't recover detail that was never captured — the result may look superficially smoother but will often lack genuine sharpness and can introduce unnatural texture patterns at print scale. For best results, submit the original camera capture, 3D render export, or native design file whenever possible.

For the sharpest printed results, upload the highest quality version of your file whenever possible — ideally the master export rather than a derivative copy. Every generation of re-saving, re-exporting, or re-downloading introduces cumulative quality loss (known as generation loss, where compression artifacts compound each time a lossy format like JPEG is re-encoded).

Whenever possible, avoid using screenshots, compressed social media downloads, or heavily filtered images as your source. Social platforms (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, etc.) aggressively recompress uploads — often stripping resolution to 1080px or lower and adding visible JPEG banding (the blocky gradient transitions visible in smooth areas like skies or skin tones).

Vector files are ideal when available. Formats like AI, SVG, and vector-based PDF contain mathematically defined paths rather than fixed pixels, meaning they scale to any print size with zero quality loss — perfect for logos, illustrations, and graphic designs.

For raster (pixel-based) exports, save JPEGs at maximum quality / minimum compression (Quality 10–12 in Photoshop, 95–100% in other editors). When transparency is needed, use PNG (lossless compression, supports alpha channel).

Use bright, evenly lit images with strong contrast between your subject and its background. Well-lit source material translates directly into vibrant, eye-catching prints — dark or flat originals tend to print even darker.

For best print quality, try to minimize heavy shadows, blown-out highlights, and aggressive color filters. Crushed blacks (shadow areas where all detail has collapsed to pure black) and clipped highlights (overexposed areas bleached to pure white with no recoverable detail) are very difficult to correct in print — what's lost in the file tends to stay lost on the canvas.

Submit files in RGB color mode (the native color space of screens, cameras, and most design software). We handle the professional conversion to CMYK (the four-ink process — Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black — used by large-format printers) in-house to ensure optimal ink mapping and color fidelity for our specific print equipment.

Be aware that highly saturated neons and screen-vivid colors (particularly electric blues, hot pinks, and fluorescent greens) exist outside the printable CMYK gamut and will shift slightly during conversion. This is a physical limitation of ink-on-substrate printing, not a deficiency in your file.

Leave adequate space around your subject on all sides to allow for clean contour cutting. Artwork cropped tight to the subject's outline leaves no margin for the cutting process and risks clipping details at the edges.

Try to avoid compositions where hands, feet, props, or other important details are cropped at the frame edge. Cutouts are shaped around the subject — if a hand or accessory is cut off in the source file, it will likely be cut off in the final product.

Transparent backgrounds (PNG with alpha channel) work best (the alpha channel defines which areas are transparent, giving us a precise boundary between subject and empty space). Alternatively, provide a clearly isolated subject on a solid, high-contrast background (e.g., a subject on a clean white or bright green background that can be easily separated).

If your design includes a custom silhouette or contour shape, include a separate cut-line layer or path in your AI/PSD file, or provide a clear description in the Special Instructions field so we can match your intent precisely.

Whenever possible, submit the original source file — the direct camera RAW/JPEG, native 3D render export, or design application save. Every intermediate step between creation and submission (re-saving, format conversion, platform re-upload) risks compounding quality loss.

We recommend against upscaling low-resolution images artificially before submission. Software-based enlargement (bicubic interpolation, Photoshop “Preserve Details”, or AI-based super-resolution tools) creates the illusion of higher pixel count without adding real captured detail. The result often prints with an unnatural, waxy smoothness or may introduce hallucinated textures that become noticeable at large format scale.

When in doubt about your source quality, check the native pixel dimensions (not the file size in MB — a heavily compressed 2 MB JPEG can have the same pixel count as an uncompressed 40 MB TIFF, but with far less usable detail) against the reference table below.

By submitting artwork, you confirm that at least one of the following is true:

You are the original creator of the artwork and hold the copyright to it.

You hold a valid license, written permission, or other legal right from the copyright or trademark owner to reproduce the artwork for the product you are ordering.

The artwork qualifies under the applicable rights holder's published fan art / fan content provisions (many studios, game publishers, and creators permit non-commercial personal fan works under specific stated conditions — it is your responsibility to confirm your use falls within those terms).

We cannot print artwork you are not authorized to reproduce. You agree that you are solely responsible for the content you submit and that you will indemnify CUTT-OUTS against any claim arising from artwork you do not have the rights to use. We reserve the right to decline or cancel any order we believe may infringe a third party's intellectual property.

You must check the rights-confirmation box on the product page before adding an item with artwork to your cart.