One of the most common reasons a print job is delayed is a file that is not "print-ready". A design can look perfect on screen and still print poorly if the file is not prepared correctly. This checklist walks you through everything you need to check before you send your files.
1. Export as a print-quality PDF
Always send a high-resolution PDF rather than a working file or a screenshot. A PDF preserves your layout, fonts and colours so the printer sees exactly what you designed.
- Choose the "Print" or "Press Quality" preset when exporting.
- Avoid exporting from a low-quality "web" or "email" preset.
- Send one file per design; do not combine unrelated designs into one PDF.
2. Use 300 DPI images
Images meant for screens are usually 72 or 96 DPI, which looks sharp on a phone but blurry in print. For anything that will be printed, use images at 300 DPI at the final printed size.
- Zoom into your design at 100% to check for pixelation.
- Never stretch a small image to fill a large space.
- Download logo and photo files at the highest available resolution.
3. Add bleed and keep safe margins
Bleed is the extra area that gets trimmed off so your colours run all the way to the edge of the paper. Without bleed, you get thin white lines around the edges after cutting.
- Add 3mm of bleed on every side that has colour running to the edge.
- Keep important text and logos at least 5mm from the trim line.
4. Convert to CMYK
Print uses CMYK ink, while screens use RGB light. Converting to CMYK before export gives you a much more accurate preview of the printed colours.
5. Outline or embed your fonts
If the printer does not have your font installed, the text may fall back to a different font and break your layout. Outline the text or embed the fonts in the PDF so it prints exactly as designed.
Checking these five things takes a few minutes and saves you the cost and delay of a reprint. If you are unsure, our team reviews files before printing and will flag any issues for you.