What is “Print Ready”?

In essence, a print ready file is all set to go straight to the printer and be printed without any hassle. It takes into account all the technical requirements of the printing process to ensure that the final printed product looks exactly as it was designed. Here’s what makes a file print ready:

1. Correct Format: Usually, a print ready file is saved as a PDF, which is widely accepted by printers. PDFs maintain all the visual elements of your design as intended.
2. Proper Resolution: Images and graphics should be high resolution, typically 300 dots per inch (DPI), to ensure clarity and sharpness in print.
3. Right Colour Mode: The file should be in CMYK colour mode (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black), which is the standard for printing. This is different from RGB, which is used for on-screen visuals.
4. Bleed and Margins: Bleed is the extra area outside of your document’s final size, which is trimmed off to ensure no white/blank edges occur in the final product. Also, important content (like text) should be within safe margins so it’s not accidentally trimmed.
5. Embedded Fonts and Links: Fonts should be embedded or converted to outlines to ensure that the exact fonts used are printed, even if the printer doesn’t have those fonts installed. Similarly, any linked images or graphics should be embedded in the file.
6. No Unnecessary Elements: The file shouldn’t contain extra elements like non-printing notes or graphics outside the bleed area.
7. Crop Marks: If your document requires trimming, crop marks are used to guide the printer on where to cut.
8. Final Proof: The document should be carefully proofread and reviewed. It’s the last version, with no further edits required.

What file format do I need?

The best format you can give us is a PDF. When saving your file, save a copy using “Save As” or “Export as” and choose “PDF”.

When you export, make sure to select the option with bleed.

We also accept the following formats:
Vector: EPS, AI, PDF
Raster/Image: JPEG, TIFF, PSD – only if 300 dpi, properly sized 1:1 and saved with 0.125″ bleed. Low resolution images and/or images with wrong sizes will not be accepted.

Setting Up Bleed in Adobe InDesign

 

1. Open Adobe InDesign: Start by launching Adobe InDesign and open your document.
2. Document Setup:
   • If you’re creating a new document, click File > New > Document.
   • If you’re working on an existing document, go to File > Document Setup.
3. Setting Bleed:
   • In the Document Setup dialog box, you’ll see a section labeled Bleed and Slug.
   • Typically, you’ll set the bleed to 0.125 inches (3 mm) for each side (Top, Bottom, Right, Left). You can type 0.125 in in one field and use the chain icon to apply it to all sides.
4. Check Your Design: Ensure that any elements (like images or background colors) that you want to extend to the edge of your printed material reach into the bleed area.

Adding Crop Marks and Exporting as a PDF

1. Exporting the Document:
   • Go to File > Export.
   • Choose a location to save your file.
   • In the Format dropdown, select Adobe PDF (Print).
2. Setting Up the PDF:
   • In the Export dialog, choose the Adobe PDF Preset that best suits your needs. Usually, High Quality Print or Press Quality works well.
   • Go to the Marks and Bleeds tab on the left side.
3. Adding Marks and Bleeds:
   • Under Marks, check Crop Marks.
   • Under Bleed and Slug, check Use Document Bleed Settings if it’s not already checked. If you’ve set up bleed in the Document Setup, it will automatically apply here.
4. Export: Click Export to save your PDF.
5. Review Your PDF: Open the exported PDF and check that the crop marks are visible and your design extends to the bleed edge.

Additional Tips

• Safety Margin: Keep essential elements (like text) within the safe margin, usually about 0.25 inches inside the trim edge.
• High-Resolution Images: Ensure your images are high resolution (at least 300 DPI) for print quality.
• Color Mode: Use CMYK color mode for print documents.
• Proofreading: Always double-check your document for any errors before exporting.

Setting Up Bleed in Adobe Illustrator

1. Open Adobe Illustrator: Launch Illustrator and either open your existing document or create a new one.
2. Document Setup:
   • For a new document, click File > New. In the New Document dialog box, find the Bleed section near the bottom.
   • For an existing document, go to File > Document Setup.
3. Setting Bleed:
   • Enter 0.125 inches (3 mm) in the Bleed fields for Top, Bottom, Left, and Right. This is a standard bleed size. You can type 0.125 in in one field and then click the chain icon to apply it to all sides.
4. Design Considerations: Ensure that any elements (like background colors or images) that need to extend to the edge of your printed material reach past the artboard edge into the bleed area.

Adding Crop Marks and Exporting as a PDF

1. Prepare to Export:
   • Go to File > Export > Export As.
   • Choose a location for your file.
   • Select Adobe PDF (pdf) from the format dropdown menu.
2. PDF Settings:
   • In the Export dialog, you’ll have various Adobe PDF presets to choose from. High Quality Print or Press Quality are usually good choices for print.
   • Click Save. This will bring up the Adobe PDF dialog box.
3. Setting Marks and Bleeds:
   • Select the Marks and Bleeds category on the left.
   • Under Marks, check Trim Marks (equivalent to crop marks).
   • In the Bleed section, check Use Document Bleed Settings if it’s not already checked. If you’ve set up the bleed earlier, it will apply here.
4. Export the PDF:
   • After setting your marks and bleeds, click Save PDF.
5. Review Your PDF:
   • Open the exported PDF to ensure that the trim marks are visible and your design elements extend to the bleed edge.

Additional Tips

• Safety Margin: Keep critical elements like text within a safe area, typically about 0.25 inches from the edge of the artboard.
• High-Resolution Images: For print, use high-resolution images (300 DPI or higher).
• Color Mode: CMYK color mode is preferred for print materials.
• Proofread: Always double-check your document for errors before exporting.

Setting Up Bleed in Adobe Photoshop

1. Open or Create a Document:
   • Open Photoshop. Start a new document (File > New) or open an existing one.
2. Document Size with Bleed:
   • When creating a new document, you need to manually add the bleed area to your document size. Standard bleed is 0.125 inches (3 mm) on all sides.
   • For example, if your final document size should be 8 x 10 inches, you’ll need to add 0.25 inches to each dimension to account for bleed (8.25 x 10.25 inches). Enter these dimensions in the Width and Height fields.
   • Set your resolution (typically 300 DPI for print) and color mode (usually CMYK).
3. Create Guides for Bleed:
   • Once your document is open, create guides to mark your actual document size (the size without bleed). Go to View > New Guide and set guides 0.125 inches from each edge.
4. Designing with Bleed in Mind:
   • Extend any background or design elements that should bleed off the page to the very edges of the document.
   • Keep critical content (like text) within the boundaries of the guides you created, away from the bleed area.

Exporting as a Print-Ready PDF with Bleed

1. Flatten Image (Optional):
   • If your document has multiple layers, you may want to flatten the image to reduce file size. However, this is optional and depends on the printer’s requirements. Go to Layer > Flatten Image.
2. Save as PDF:
   • Go to File > Save As.
   • Choose where to save your document.
   • Select Photoshop PDF as the format.
3. PDF Settings:
   • In the Save Adobe PDF dialog, choose a preset like High Quality Print or Press Quality.
   • Photoshop does not automatically add crop marks. You can manually add them using the line tool if your printer requires them, but it’s better to check with the printer if they can handle this.
4. Save the PDF:
   • Click Save PDF after adjusting your settings.

Additional Tips

• Manual Crop Marks: If crop marks are required, you might need to add them manually with the Line tool. However, it’s often easier to ask your print provider if they can add them.
• Communicate with Printer: Always communicate with your printer about their specific requirements, especially when working with Photoshop, as it’s less print-centric than InDesign or Illustrator.
• Proof and Preview: Always preview your PDF to ensure everything looks right. Check for any issues in quality or alignment.

Flattening and Saving as TIFF in Adobe Photoshop

1. Flatten Your Image:
   • Before saving your document as a TIFF, you might want to flatten it, especially if it has multiple layers. This merges all layers into one, reducing file size and complexity.
   • Go to Layer > Flatten Image. Remember, once you flatten the image, you cannot edit individual layers anymore, so it’s a good idea to save a copy of the layered file before flattening.
2. Save As TIFF:
   • With your image flattened, go to File > Save As.
   • In the dialog box that appears, choose a location for your file.
   • From the format dropdown, select TIFF (*.TIF, *.TIFF).
3. TIFF Options:
   • After you choose TIFF, a dialog box titled TIFF Options will appear.
   • Choose the appropriate options based on your needs. For print, it’s often recommended to use no compression, and if you’ve been working in CMYK, make sure to maintain that color space.
   • If you’re unsure about these options, you can typically leave them at their default settings or consult with your print provider for specific requirements.
4. Save the TIFF File:
   • After setting your TIFF options, click OK to save your file.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Image Quality: TIFF is a lossless format, meaning it doesn’t lose quality like a JPEG might. This makes it excellent for print but results in larger file sizes.
• Layered TIFF: You also have the option to save a TIFF file with layers, but this will result in a much larger file, and not all software can handle layered TIFFs.
• Backup Layered File: It’s always good practice to keep a layered PSD file as a backup before flattening and saving as TIFF, in case you need to make edits later.

RGB, CMYK and Pantone – Quick Guide

RGB (Red, Green, Blue)

– What It Is: RGB is a colour model used for digital screens. Think of your TV, computer monitor, or smartphone screen.
– **How It Works**: It mixes red, green, and blue light to create various colours. When you increase the intensity of these three colours, you get brighter colours; when you reduce all of them, you get black.
– Usage: It’s used primarily for digital media – anything that is displayed on a screen.
– Key Point: RGB colours can appear more vibrant than CMYK because screens can produce more vivid light-based colours.

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black)

– What It Is: CMYK is a colour model used in colour printing. It’s what most printers use.
– How It Works: CMYK combines cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink to create a wide range of colours. By overlaying these inks in different intensities, different colours emerge.
– Usage: It’s used for anything that is printed on physical media, like paper, cardstock, etc.
– Key Point: CMYK can’t reproduce all the colours that RGB can, so some colours might look different when printed compared to how they appear on your screen.

Pantone Colours

– What It Is: Pantone is a standardized colour matching system, widely used in printing and in some industries for manufacturing coloured paint, fabric, and plastics.
– How It Works: Each Pantone colour has a specific code and is precisely defined by Pantone’s colour guides. These colours are created using a unique formula of inks.
– Usage: Used when a specific, consistent colour is needed, regardless of the printer or material.
– Key Point: Pantone colours ensure that the colour is exactly the same every time and everywhere it’s printed, something that’s not always possible with CMYK or RGB.

In Simple Words:

Imagine you’re painting a picture. If you’re painting on a computer (like making a digital artwork), you’re using RGB – mixing light like a rainbow. If you’re printing that picture, you’re using CMYK – mixing inks like your school watercolours. And if you need a very specific shade (like a company logo colour), you use Pantone – it’s like having a premade, never-changing paint colour that looks the same in every painting, no matter where it’s painted.