Thesis Printing

Non-account holders can place orders, but we recommend creating a free Mixam account and signing in. Select an item from the categories at the top of the website, and choose your print specifications, free quote and estimated shipping date via the Instant Quote Calculator. Click Add to Cart, then Continue, and upload your files to your Artwork tab.

You can create artwork by hand and then scan or photograph it. You can then load the images to your desktop. Or you can use popular online graphic design programs like Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator, Canva and Affinity Publisher. You can also use our downloadable PDF templates via our Instant Quote Calculator to lay out your designs once you've chosen your print specifications to ensure your files are print-ready before upload.

Bleed is an extension of artwork or colour(s) to minimise unprinted edges appearing when we cut your prints to size. Most items require a 3mm bleed, including Flat items and the inner pages and covers on Bound and Paperback items. You don’t need to include bleed if no artwork or colour(s) meet the page edges. Visit our Bleed Support Page or contact our team for help.

You can upload many file types, and we’ll convert them into high-quality PDFs. You can submit them as single, double, or individual files. Ensure your files are in CMYK colour mode before uploading. Visit our Colour Guide for Printing and File Formats Support Page to view the complete list of accepted file types.

A multi-piece shipment refers to a single order containing multiple items. Once you add your first quote to your Shopping Cart, you can repeat the process for the same item or add a quote for another item via the categories at the top of the website. You can then upload your files to each item in one order.

Once you’ve uploaded files in your order’s Artwork tab, you can preview them via Thumbnails, an Online Preview and Downloadable Proof. Mixam’s automatic file checker will scan your files, but please also check all files manually, especially your Downloadable Proof, to review and fix issues before we send your order to production. Visit our Proofing Support Page for more information, and contact our print experts by chat, email or phone for assistance.

The cut-off time for confirmed orders is 3 pm MET every workday. It would help to confirm your order before these times to secure your estimated delivery date. Unconfirmed orders may mean you receive a new estimated delivery date. Visit our Shipping and Delivery Support Page for more information.

We aim to get your order to you by or on the date you choose on our Instant Quote Calculator. While all delivery dates are not guaranteed, we’ll inform you at the earliest opportunity if a delay occurs. Visit our Shipping and Delivery Support Page for more information, and contact our team in advance if you have a deadline, and we’ll try to accommodate.

You can familiarise yourself with our quality, products and paper stocks by ordering free printed samples here. You can also create a test print before placing a larger order by ordering one copy via our Instant Quote Calculator. Please note that delivery can take longer depending on your location, but you can contact our team if you have any questions.

Upload one 300 dpi PDF file to your Artwork tab containing a back cover, spine and front cover design. You only need to include a spine design file if you're printing a Perfect (PUR) item. If you do not upload a spine design file, the spine area will remain blank. Ensure your design matches the dimensions you selected in your initial quote, and before uploading, label it with a name like cover.pdf so our system can automatically put it in the correct place. Visit our Print File Setup Guide for more information.

A spine refers to the edge where the outer covers and interior pages are bound, typically featuring artwork, the publication title and the author's name. For Perfect (PUR) items, upload a single PDF file or design one as part of a cover spread at 300 dpi. You can find your spine dimensions in your Shopping Cart or Artwork tab. Add 3mm bleed to the top and bottom of your spine. For Hardcover items, add a 5mm hinge area on both sides of the spine and 20mm bleed to the top and bottom. Labelling your files will also ensure they appear in the right place. If you cannot upload spine artwork, add a blank page by clicking the blue three-dot button under the spine thumbnail. Print work will only appear if you upload a spine design file. Otherwise, it will remain blank. Visit our File Setup Support Page for more information.

Lamination means applying a transparent plastic coating on top of prints to preserve, protect and enhance aesthetics. All laminations and finishes can affect the final appearance of printed colours, but each minimises issues like marking, ink transferral, smudging, creasing, fading, wrinkling, abrasion and tearing. Please note we cannot laminate Uncoated and Recycled Paper stocks. Visit our Print Finishes Support Page for more information.