Print-ready file checklist

Step by step

1. Export a press-ready PDF

   Use the PDF/X-4 or High Quality Print preset, with trim marks and bleed turned on. Send one PDF per job with the pages in order — not a separate file for every page.

2. Check the size and bleed

   Each page should be the finished size, plus 2mm bleed on every edge where colour or images run off. The bleed guide shows how.

3. Keep critical content clear of the edge

   Text, logos and anything that mustn’t be trimmed should sit at least 2mm inside the trim line. Give it more room on books, folded pieces and anything handled a lot — close to the edge looks like a mistake even when it survives the cut.

4. Check image resolution

   Images should be 250dpi or more at the size they print. Between 150 and 250 is usually fine on a poster seen from a few steps back; under 150 looks soft, and we’ll let you know before printing. Enlarging a small image in software doesn’t add detail.

5. Embed or outline the fonts

   Make sure every font is embedded in the PDF, or converted to outlines, so nothing gets substituted. Very fine lines under 0.25pt may not print.

6. Get the colour right

   Supply CMYK where you can. RGB images are converted by our press software, so very bright screen colours — vivid greens, blues and oranges — can print a little duller. Keep small black text to 100% black (K100) so it stays sharp, and only use spot colours for finishes like Varnish, White and Die Line, named exactly as our guides say.

7. Keep finishing separate

   Cut, crease and perforation lines go on their own last page (see the Future Cutter guide). Foil and raised varnish go on a Varnish spot layer (see the embellishing guide).