What file formats are accepted for business cards?

Most print shops accept a small set of print-ready file types for business cards, and PDF is the most dependable because it locks your fonts, colors, and layout in place so nothing shifts on press.

• PDF - the preferred format. Flatten it and outline or embed fonts.
• AI - Adobe Illustrator native files with fonts outlined.
• PSD - flattened Photoshop files at full resolution.
• EPS - vector files with fonts converted to curves.
• JPEG - accepted as a flattened image at high resolution, but avoid JPEG and PNG for final text-heavy artwork since they often lack the resolution for crisp text.

Outlining fonts and keeping images at 300 DPI prevents the two most common print problems, font substitution and blurry graphics. Starting from a blank template pre-set with trim, bleed, and safe zones is the easiest way to get a print-ready file on the first try.