We use cookies to understand how customers use the site and to measure our advertising. See our Privacy Policy.
Set up your print files right the first time
Seven rules cover 95% of print file problems. Follow these, and your file clears preflight and heads straight to press.
Every file you upload here runs through the Open Prepress check: bleed, resolution, fonts, color spaces, and spot separations, verified before production. That means mistakes get caught. But the fastest jobs are the ones with nothing to catch, and that’s what this page is for.
The seven rules
- 1
Send a print-ready PDF
One file, fonts embedded, images included. PDF/X-4 export preset if you have it.
- 2
Add bleed
0.125 in on sheet-fed pieces (cards, flyers, brochures); 1 in on large format (banners, floor graphics).
- 3
Respect the safe zone
Keep text and logos at least 0.125 in inside the trim, more on hemmed or grommeted pieces.
- 4
CMYK + named spots
Process color in CMYK; brand colors declared as named Pantone spots so they run as true separations.
- 5
Right-size your images
300 ppi in-hand, 100–150 ppi at-distance, vector wherever possible.
- 6
Single pages, in order
Multi-page pieces as consecutive single pages, never spreads. Imposition is our job.
- 7
Structural work on named layers
Cuts, creases, kiss-cuts, and perforations each on their own named layer — Cut, Crease, CreaseReverse, KissCut, Perf. The layer name carries the meaning; stroke color never does.
Product-specific setup
Folds, die lines, grommet clearances, and cut contours vary by product. Each product page has its own file setup section with the specifics:
Frequently asked questions
What file format should I send for printing?
A print-ready PDF, every time. It locks fonts, images, and layout into one portable file. Export with the PDF/X-4 preset if your design app offers it. It embeds everything correctly by default.
What is bleed and why do I need it?
Bleed is artwork extended past the final trim line: 0.125 inches for sheet-fed pieces, 1 inch for large format. Cutting has mechanical tolerance; bleed means a hairline of movement trims into extra artwork instead of leaving a white sliver on your edge.
Should I convert my file to CMYK?
Design in CMYK for process color, and declare brand colors as named Pantone spots. If RGB elements slip through, our preflight catches them and we color-manage the conversion. But starting in CMYK means what you see is closer to what prints.
What resolution do my images need?
For sheet-fed pieces viewed in hand: 300 ppi at final size. For posters and banners viewed at distance: 100–150 ppi at full size. Vector artwork (logos, text, shapes) is resolution-independent and always stays sharp.
Do I need to outline my fonts?
Embedding fonts in the PDF (which happens automatically with proper export settings) is enough. Outlining is a fallback if a font refuses to embed. Just keep an editable copy for yourself, because outlined text can’t be corrected.
What happens after I upload my file?
Preflight runs immediately: bleed, resolution, fonts, color spaces, and spot separations are checked to the Open Prepress standard before anything is scheduled. If something needs fixing, you find out in minutes, not on press day.
The fastest check is uploading
Preflight runs the moment your file lands and tells you exactly what, if anything, needs fixing. Free, in minutes.
Upload your file