The Print File Prep Checklist That Can Save Your Job

Familiarity is a funny thing. The more often you’ve done something, the easier it is to assume you have it handled... and the easier it is to miss something basic. Preparing print files is no exception. The details change from job to job, but the fundamentals don’t. A checklist keeps you out of trouble.

Here are seven items every print file prep checklist should include.

1. Talk to Us First

Even if you’ve run this type of job a dozen times, it takes thirty seconds to ask: “Is there anything I should know before I start?” Requirements change, materials vary, and a quick conversation at the beginning is always cheaper than a reprint at the end.

2. Confirm Your File Format

Submit files in the format from the get-go. In most cases, this will be a print-ready PDF. Submitting the wrong file type causes delays and can affect output quality.

3. Check Image Resolution

Images should be at 300 dpi for standard print applications. High-end pieces like catalogs or coffee table books may require higher resolution. Wide format is a different story. Appropriate resolution depends on the display size and viewing distance, so ask before you assume.

4. Verify Color Mode

Set your files to CMYK before submission. RGB images will be converted before going on press, and that conversion can shift colors in ways you didn’t intend. Designing in CMYK from the start keeps you in control.

5. Set Bleeds and Margins Correctly

If your design doesn’t go to the edge of the page, make sure your trim is set correctly using crop marks. Finished pieces are trimmed down from a larger sheet after printing. If your margins are off, you risk cutting into content that was meant to stay.

6. Embed Fonts or Convert to Outlines

Missing fonts cause substitution issues that can change the entire look of a piece. Embed all fonts in your file or convert text to outlines before submitting.

7. Flatten Layers

If you’re working in design software with multiple layers, flatten the file before export. Unflattened layers can cause transparency issues and unintended visual artifacts in the final output.

This list covers the essentials, but it’s not exhaustive. Review submission guidelines carefully, and when in doubt, ask. A little prep work on your end makes everything go faster on ours.