TRANSCRIPT

This article explains how to use Podzilla’s ornament design templates, including safe areas, bleed zones, background coverage, and best practices for preparing ornament artwork for sublimation printing.

Key Takeaways

• Podzilla provides separate templates for round and heart-shaped ornaments

• Important design elements must stay inside the green dotted safe area

• Backgrounds should extend past the bleed area for smooth edge coverage

• Templates must be removed or hidden before downloading artwork

Ornament Template Overview

Podzilla ornaments are available in multiple shapes, including round and heart-shaped. Each ornament shape has its own design template, but the design rules and guidelines apply equally to both.

Accessing the Ornament Template

1. Go to the Podzilla product catalog

2. Navigate to All Categories or Seasonal

3. Select the ornament shape (round or heart)

4. Scroll past pricing to the templates section

5. Open the Canva or Photoshop template

Templates are pre-sized to the correct dimensions and DPI for Podzilla printing. No resizing or resolution adjustments are required.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Understanding the Template Guides

The ornament template includes multiple guide lines:

• Green dotted line: safe area for text and important graphics

• Solid black line: actual edge of the ornament

• Red line: bleed area that wraps slightly around the edge

Design rules:

• Keep all important elements inside the green dotted line

• Backgrounds should extend to or beyond the red bleed line

• Avoid placing critical text or details outside the safe area

Adding a Background

Backgrounds should cover the entire ornament design area:

• Extend the background past the red bleed line

• This ensures smooth fading and coverage around the ornament’s edge

While designing, you may reduce background transparency to see template guides more easily.

Using Decorative Borders or Wreaths

Decorative elements such as wreaths can extend beyond the safe area:

• Portions may be trimmed by the ornament edge or hanging hole

• As long as the main visual effect remains inside the safe area, this is acceptable

Ensure there is enough clear space inside the safe area for text.

Adding Text

When adding text:

• Keep all text fully inside the green dotted safe area

• Adjust sizing and placement to maintain readability

Personalization details such as names or years can be added once the main layout is complete.

Preparing the File for Download

Before downloading your artwork:

• Remove the template by deleting it or setting transparency to zero

• Confirm no template guides remain visible

For ornaments and all sublimation products except shirts:

• Transparent backgrounds are not required

• White or colored backgrounds may be left in place for easier preview

Save the final file as a PNG for upload to Podzilla.

Notes and Best Practices

• Always remove the template overlay before downloading

• Extend backgrounds past the bleed line for best edge coverage

• Order samples when possible to preview final ornament appearance

Final Notes

Following the safe area and bleed guidelines will help ensure ornament designs print cleanly, with smooth edges and no important details lost.