Artwork Guidelines for Branded Mats

Getting the artwork right is one of the most important parts of ordering branded mats. A good design file helps produce a clearer logo, sharper text, and a more professional finished mat. Whether you need a logo mat for a reception area, showroom, office entrance, school, church, hotel, or retail space, preparing your artwork correctly helps avoid delays and gives better print results.

This guide explains the basic artwork requirements for branded mats, what file types are best, how colours should be supplied, and what to avoid when sending your design. If you are ordering custom branded mats for the first time, this page will help you understand what is needed before production starts.

Why Artwork Quality Matters

Branded mats are made to display your logo, message, or company identity clearly at the entrance or inside the workplace. If the artwork is low quality, blurry, stretched, or missing key details, the final result may not look as clean as expected.

• better logo reproduction
• sharper text and outlines
• more accurate colour matching
• smoother production approval
• fewer design corrections
• faster turnaround times

Best File Types for Branded Mat Artwork

The best artwork files are usually vector-based because they can be resized without losing quality. This keeps lines, shapes, and text crisp, which is especially important for logos, icons, and branded layouts.

If vector artwork is not available, high-resolution image files may still be usable depending on the design. Raster artwork should be supplied in the best quality available. Small screenshots, copied website images, and low-resolution social media graphics are usually not suitable for branded mat production.

Use High-Resolution Artwork

Low-resolution files often cause poor print results. If the image looks pixelated on screen, it is likely to reproduce poorly on the mat as well. This is especially noticeable with logos that contain fine lines, small text, or detailed graphic elements.

Logo and Text Guidelines

Branded mats often include both logo elements and text, such as company names, slogans, contact details, or welcome messages. For the clearest result, logos and text should be simple, bold, and easy to read.

• text should be large enough to remain readable
• fonts should be clean and not overly decorative
• spacing between letters should be clear
• lines should not be too thin
• design elements should not be overcrowded

Very small text and highly detailed logos may need adjustment depending on the mat size and printing method. In many cases, a simpler layout produces a stronger and cleaner final result.

Colour Guidelines for Branded Mats

Colour is a key part of brand identity, but different mat types and production methods can have colour limitations. For this reason, it helps to provide clear colour references with your artwork.

Where possible, provide your brand colour references and keep in mind that printed colours may appear slightly different depending on the mat material, surface texture, and production process. Strong contrast between the logo and the background often gives the best visual impact.

Recommended Layout for Branded Mats

When preparing branded mat artwork, the design should suit the shape and size of the mat. A design that works on a website banner or business card may not always work well on a floor mat.

• keep the main logo central or well balanced
• leave enough space around the edges
• avoid placing key text too close to the border
• use a clean and uncluttered arrangement
• consider the viewing angle from above

Because mats are viewed while standing and walking, the design should be bold and easy to understand at a glance.

Safe Margins and Edge Spacing

It is important not to place important artwork elements too close to the outer edge of the mat. Allowing safe spacing helps protect the design area and improves the overall appearance.

Keep logos and wording comfortably inside the visible area and leave enough breathing room around the design. This helps ensure the finished mat looks balanced and professional.

What to Avoid When Sending Artwork

• blurry logos
• low-quality screenshots
• stretched images
• heavily compressed files
• artwork copied from email signatures
• logos on busy backgrounds
• unclear colour instructions

Approval Before Production

Before production starts, artwork is usually reviewed and approved. This step helps confirm the layout, logo positioning, colours, spelling, and general appearance of the mat.

Customers should always check the approval carefully before giving final confirmation. Once production begins, changes may no longer be possible, so it is worth reviewing every detail properly.

Tips for Getting the Best Result

• send the clearest file available
• use bold, readable designs
• provide brand colours clearly
• keep the layout simple
• check spelling carefully
• review the final proof before approval

Final Thoughts on Branded Mat Artwork

Preparing artwork correctly helps ensure your branded mat looks sharp, professional, and aligned with your brand identity. The best results usually come from clear logos, simple layouts, strong contrast, and high-quality files.

Taking a little extra care before submitting your design can save time, prevent production issues, and lead to a much better finished product. If you are unsure whether your file is suitable, send it through for review before production starts.