Files for print must be prepared with greater precision than images for social media or a website. Many things can be corrected on screen, but in print, a mistake becomes a physical reality. Files prepared for print help to avoid cropped edges, incorrect colours and low resolution.
Design files must be prepared in accordance with the printer’s requirements. Layout files are not just a nice-looking PDF. They are technical documents that will be used to produce the actual item. If you are unsure, it is worth asking before sending them. After all, every print shop may have its own specific requirements. It’s better to ask in advance than to have to make corrections afterwards.
The most important things are the format and the margins
Bleed margins are required to ensure that no white edges remain after trimming. Usually, an area of a few millimetres is left beyond the final format, but it is best to check the exact dimensions with the printer.
This is particularly important when preparing menu, stickers, publications or other formats. You can read more about this in the article layout design for business publications.
If the layout has a background that extends to the edge, it must extend beyond the trim line. If the background ends exactly at the edge of the page, a thin white strip may appear after trimming. It’s a minor detail, but it immediately makes the result look unprofessional.
Colours must be prepared for printing
CMYK colours differ from what we see on screen. Print colours depend on the paper, the ink, the printer’s settings and even whether the layout has been exported correctly. A monitor emits light; paper does not. Therefore, very bright on-screen colours may look different in print. This is normal, but it is important to bear this in mind before approving the layout.
PDF layout is usually the safest option, provided everything has been prepared correctly. A PDF file for printing must not only look good, but also have the correct technical settings. It is important that fonts are embedded or converted to curves, that images are of sufficient resolution, and that the file is not corrupted during export.
What to check before sending
- final format and bleed
- CMYK colour mode, if requested by the printer
- sufficient image resolution
- fonts to be included or converted to curves
- a clear file name and version
If you’re making stickers, it’s worth reading this article as well sticker design for businesses. In small-format printing, the accuracy of files becomes even more important.
The most common mistakes to avoid before sending a job to the printer
The printers usually can’t guess what you had in mind. If the file has no bleed, is too low-resolution or contains unembedded fonts, the result may differ from what you see on screen. Sometimes the printers ask you to correct the file; sometimes the error is spotted too late. That’s when things get awkward.
It is therefore worth having a quick checking routine. Open the PDF after exporting it, not just in the design programme. Zoom in on the text. Check the margins. Check that no elements have shifted out of place. If there are several versions of the layout, clearly indicate in the file name which one is the final version. It sounds tedious, but it saves a lot of trouble in print.
- Open the exported PDF and view it separately
- Check bleed and safe areas
- Make sure that the fonts are embedded or converted to curves
- Please specify the version and format in the file name
What to agree with the print shop in advance
Even if the layout looks ready, it is worth checking the technical requirements before sending it. How many millimetres of bleed are required? What colour profile is required? Should the file be a single page or separate pages? Are cut-off lines required? These questions can save a lot of stress, especially when the deadline is tight.
If the printers provide a template, it is best to use it from the outset. That way, the layout, safe areas and technical margins are clear. If there is no template, it is worth writing a brief note to clarify the details. Yes, it may seem like a minor detail. But in print, minor details often become very noticeable.
- bleed size
- colour mode and profile
- file format and page layout
- cutting or bending lines
- Is an additional printing template required?
If you are preparing visual material, the relevant topic is Publication layout for business, when to choose professional design. To ensure you are better prepared, it is worth reading and Sticker design for businesses: how to prepare for printing.
If you have a layout but are not sure whether it is ready for print, get in touch. We can check the file before it is sent to the print shop and reduce the risk of errors.