How to Prepare Print-Ready Artwork (PDF, Bleed & CMYK)
The four checks that prevent most print delays: PDF format, bleed, safe area and CMYK colour. A short checklist your designer can follow before sending files.
When a print job is delayed, the files are usually the reason. A short checklist prevents most of it. Send this to whoever is designing the piece.
1. Send a print-quality PDF
Export as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 with fonts embedded. Avoid Word and PowerPoint files: they render differently on every machine and lose colour fidelity on press.
2. Add 3 mm bleed
Bleed is background artwork that extends 3 mm past the trim line. Without it, cutting tolerance leaves a thin white edge on the finished piece. Every layout program has a bleed setting. Turn it on before you start.
3. Keep text inside the safe area
Pull important text and logos at least 3 mm inside the trim line. Anything closer risks being clipped when the stack is cut.
4. Convert colour to CMYK
Screens show RGB; presses print CMYK. Bright RGB blues and greens shift noticeably when converted. Do the conversion in your design tool so you can see the result and adjust it yourself.
Unsure about a file? Send it before you commit. We will tell you what would cause trouble on press and exactly what to change.
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