Custom mats reproduce artwork on a textured, working surface. People see the design at an angle, often while moving, and the mat is exposed to footwear and cleaning. A file that looks sharp on a phone may contain too little information for a large format, while very fine brand details may need careful adaptation.
Send the best source file available
Vector formats such as AI, EPS and SVG are preferred because shapes can be scaled without becoming pixelated. A properly prepared vector PDF is also useful. If these are unavailable, send the largest original PNG or JPG rather than an image copied from a website or messaging preview.
Do not repeatedly save or compress the file. Each generation can lose detail. If the only reference is a sign, uniform or printed card, take a straight, evenly lit photograph at the highest available resolution.
Understand vector and bitmap artwork
A bitmap image is made of pixels. Enlarging a small bitmap reveals soft or stepped edges. Vector artwork describes outlines mathematically and can be resized cleanly. It also makes it easier to separate colours, adjust spacing and simplify details for production.
Placing a small JPG inside an AI or PDF document does not turn it into vector artwork. The underlying logo must be redrawn or traced as clean paths when the source is inadequate.
Check small text and thin lines
Taglines, legal marks and hairline strokes may be clear on stationery but disappear on a mat. Review the design at the final dimensions and from the expected viewing distance. Sometimes increasing weight or spacing is enough; in other cases a simplified entrance version of the logo gives a more faithful overall impression.
Any adaptation should respect the brand. We identify potentially problematic details and agree on the practical treatment before production.
Use contrast deliberately
The logo must separate clearly from the background. Two colours with similar brightness can merge even if their hues differ. A dark mark on a light field or a light mark on a deep background usually reads more easily. Photographs and gradients require a printing method capable of reproducing tonal variation.
Remember that the mat will collect dirt during use. A balanced mid-to-dark background can be practical, while the logo still needs enough contrast to remain recognisable between cleaning cycles.
Provide colour references
Share Pantone, RGB, CMYK or brand-guideline references where available. These references guide artwork preparation, but textile fibres, inks, lighting and monitors all affect perception. The finished result is an interpretation within the possibilities of the selected process rather than a calibrated paper proof.
Design for the final proportion
Supply the entrance dimensions before approving the layout. A wide horizontal mat may suit a wordmark; a square or round format may favour a symbol or stacked version. Maintain clear space around the artwork so the logo does not feel pressed against the border.
Tell us the main approach direction. Text should normally face visitors as they enter. For a mat viewed from both sides, a centred symbol or two-direction layout may be considered.
What if no usable file exists?
Send every reference you have. We can assess whether a high-resolution bitmap is sufficient or whether professional vectorisation is advisable. Vectorisation reconstructs the logo as editable shapes, correcting contours and typography rather than relying on an automatic one-click trace.
Artwork checklist
- AI, EPS, SVG or suitable vector PDF if available;
- otherwise, the largest original PNG or JPG;
- brand colour references;
- correct spelling and approved logo version;
- final mat width and depth;
- main viewing direction;
- photograph of the entrance;
- notes about details that must not be altered.
We review the file before production and prepare the composition for the chosen model. Send the artwork and dimensions by WhatsApp; if the source needs work, we will explain the issue and the practical options clearly.