Checklist for Print-Ready Requirements

To help ensure the accuracy and quality of your printed projects, we have compiled a print-ready artwork requirements checklist overview to help you ensure your artwork is ready for print.

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COLOR ACCURACY

• Graphic design files for print should be saved using a CMYK color profile to ensure color accuracy during printing.

• If your print job is CMYK only, make sure all spot colors (Pantone, etc.) are changed to CMYK.

• If your print job is a spot color (Pantone color) only, convert all CMYK or RGB images to your selected spot color.

• Make sure all black type is 100% black and not a build of CMYK.

• The RGB color profile is intended for displaying graphics on screens, not for printed materials. RGB files should be converted to CMYK color, and any images placed in the art file should also be CMYK color to ensure proper printing.

FONTS & TEXT

• To avoid font conflicts or issues during the printing process when working in a vector-based software, like Adobe Illustrator, we recommend:

  • Save your .AI file with the fonts intact as text

  • Save an .EPS file with the fonts outlined

  • For final art for print, outline fonts and save as a .PDF file

• When working in Adobe InDesign, be sure to embed the fonts when exporting the document as a .PDF for print.

• If your project is designed in Adobe Photoshop, flatten your image before generating a .PDF file to send for print. This will rasterize your fonts to prevent font issues.

• Follow recommended guidelines when choosing a font size, font style and font color for your printed projects.

RESOLUTION

• For an image to print properly, its resolution must be at least 300 dots per inch (DPI) at the final output size.

• Files with resolutions higher than 300dpi are ok to send for print, but not necessary, and the higher resolution will not improve the printed quality of your project.

FILE SIZE

• Design files should be built to the final cut-trimmed size, plus bleed allowance. That means the edges of the design should be 1/4-inch larger than the actual finished size of the project.

• For example, a 4×6-inch postcard should be built as a 4.25 x 6.25-inch graphic file to account for bleed allowance.

CROP MARKS

• Design files for print should be saved with crop marks to indicate where to trim the final printed piece.

• Make sure to verify the file is set to the correct dimensions before sending to print.

• Crop marks in a design file are considered part of the artwork and will be printed.

SAFE ZONE

• Designs for print should not include any text or images in the Safe Zone — the space 1/8 -inch from the final trimmed size.

• Text or content in the Safe Zone could potentially be cut off when your printed document is trimmed down to size.

THICKNESS OF LINES

• When designing for print, make sure any lines in your files are at least 0.25 points or 0.003 inches thick.

• A one or two-point line is a popular thickness to use around photographs or images.