Tips on Pre-flight before sending to the printers

Arron Lock has kindly agreed to write some articles for design shard, you can check out his web site and follow him on Twitter

He’s compiled some tips that should be taken in to consideration before presenting your files to the printer for printing. Expect to see more posts from him in the coming weeks as well as other authors.

Define Page Size and/or Bleeds correctly

Page elements that bleed should extend 1/8″ past the page boundary. The page dimensions should be exactly the same as your final trim size of the piece. DO NOT build your page elements in the middle of a bigger page and manually add crop or registration marks. They will probably get printed and your piece will suck.

Provide bitmap images at adequate minimum resolution

NEVER, EVER, EVER use image you copied from a website in your print job. Not only will this violate some copyright laws, it will also render a very ugly result. Web images are almost always 72dpi. You want to use images that are at least 300dpi.

Provide import source files

If you are using an image editing program like Photoshop, you may want to include the layered PSD file so that if any minor adjustments could be made by the printer. THIS IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR THINGS TO BE INCORRECT TO BEGIN WITH.

Supply image files in CMYK mode

Things are printed in CMYK. Things on screen are viewed in RGB. It is much easier to work on files in an RGB profile as it allows for the most flexibility in image editing. However, make sure you flatten and convert these files to CMYK before they are used in the final work. If sent to press while still in RGB mode, chances are good that the printing software will kick up all sorts of errors.

Define spot and/or process colors correctly

Speaking of colors, it is a good idea to define all spot and process colors so the printer has either a PMS number or a CMYK formula to use. You should really be doing this any way to keep everything consistent.

Provide proofs

You should always provide a proof to the printer so they know what the job should look like when it’s finished. I like to use a PDF because they are pretty much universally utilized.

Include all imports…ALL imports

This is one of the most critical steps that some, ahem, “designers” forget about. Anytime you use an image, logo or graphic in a file to be printed it isn’t actually copying that image. It is linking it to the original files location.

So if you don’t include these with your packaged file set when it goes to the printer guess what, you aren’t gonna have any of those linked images in the final work. Lucky for you most current page layout software like Adobe InDesign, Quark and Pagemaker (do people still use Pagemaker?) can do this for you by running a “Preflight” or “Package” command.

Include all fonts…ALL fonts

Sending all the fonts used in a job is VERY important. If you use a font that your printer doesn’t have then one of two things will happen.

Your job will be printed with the closest match the software can find
(if you are using a reputable printer this should really never be the case)
The printer will contact you to get the appropriate font from you.

Communicate with your printer

Talk to the people who will be handling your job. Let them know exactly what you want to accomplish with your printed work and they will be able to guide you in making sure everything is correct.

Some definitions:

CMYK: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black), the four process color inks. These are the inks used to print full color images.

Bleed: When an image or printed color extends beyond the trimmed edge of a page. Bleeding ensures that the print extends to the edges of the paper. The paper is usually trimmed to the desired size after printing.

Spot Color: An ink formula resulting in a specific color. Each spot color will need its own film/plate. Referred to as PMS (Pantone) colors sometimes.

Process Color: One of the 4 colors in CMYK – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black

Proof: A rendering of what the final printed result will look like.

Author of this post: Arron Lock

Self proclaimed "Rock Star Designer" and "Photoshop Ninja", you can also follow me on twitter See all posts by: Arron Lock

42 Comments (Leave a Comment)

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dofollowbookmark

August 30, 2009

Excellent information! I ll try this out..Thanks
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Rob Barrett

November 3, 2008

Nice list, Arron! I know I was guilty of mixing up spot and process colours with my first couple of print jobs.

I always find it worth running a pre-flight check to make sure that I haven’t let any RGB files slip through the net. With rush jobs especially, it’s something that can get passed over if I’m editing a large batch of images, so it’s good to have a final scan through the Links panel before sending out.
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Ty (tzmedia)

October 16, 2008

Thanks for the tips. I’ve linked my name to an in-house print document for supplying artwork and works for print, much of it you’ve covered in your post.
Thanks.
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Max | Design Shard

@designshard October 14, 2008

@El Loco – There is completly no need for such a hostile comment, every one who has commented so far contributed with some extremly constructive points to build on Arrons article.

@Arron – Good work.
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Arron Lock

October 14, 2008

@El Loco
Though I won’t stoop to the level of your childish comment, I would like to clear something up:

I never claimed to be a great designer, though I have been successfully running my own firm for nearly 6 years. This is simply the way I do things and if you had read through the other comments, someone already pointed out that converting text to outlines is a valid option as well. Way to be redundant.

As far as “my fonts not floating around on the internet”, if you are using a reputable printer, that really shouldn’t be an issue. In 6 years I have never had any trouble with a printer “stealing” my fonts. Now if you are having your professionally designed work printed at Kinkos, I can’t help you.

Thank you for reiterating the point about converting text to vector, and explaining what a vector does. As always, thanks for reading.

Arron Lock´s lastest blog post..7 Deadly Fonts
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El loco

October 14, 2008

Oy, socio. You are such a great designer, blah blah blah. By the way you wrote your article I can see, your self-esteem is higher it should be.

HOW ON EARTH can you say:
“Include all fonts…ALL fonts”

Yup? Really? Well, I doubt so, pal. Incorrect. The right answer is: “Do not include any font… AT ALL”. Why should I share $500 font with some print office dude? Are you crazy to give such dumb advices? Listen, you semi-pro, have you ever heard about converting text into CURVES?

Two things may happen:
1.) Every curve is a vector – no problem with resiging AT ALL. You can stretch it however you like, nothing will end up fuzzy.
2.) Your fonts will not be floating around internet, because now you are not so dumb to give dumb advices anymore.
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Arron Lock

October 12, 2008

Thanks AJ. Those are very good points as well.

Arron Lock´s lastest blog post..Say No To Spec!
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AJ

October 12, 2008

I would add a couple to that list. I work primarily at a print shop. I pre-flight all day long and print anything from labels, business cards, and posters, to large format billboards etc…

1. Convert To Curves!
Instead of sending your fonts with the file, just convert all of the fonts to curves. This way it doesn’t matter if the printer is Mac or x86 based, they can use the file without needing the supported fonts. We are x86 based, and a lot of companies that use us are mac, so when they send us a pdf, that then must be exported to eps, the fonts that they sent us ar of no use because they are mac fonts.

2. No Transparencies!
Many post-script printers, such as the DocuColor 240, DC5252, and Xerox 700, do not do well with transparencies. We have many documents that have a transparency applied to them or have a transparent effect and this will cause the printers to drop on a fault error and either not print at all or fill in the transparency with a opaque white.

3. Bleeds
I agree with extending your art 1/8 inch past the canvas for a bleed, but beware of this. If you are using a program that has a Publish/Print to PDF command, then whatever is on your visible canvas will print, and not what is hanging off. So if you are printing a 5″x8″ design with a 1/8″ bleed, then your canvas (before you publish to pdf, need to be made 5 1/4″ x 8 1/4″, so that your bleed is included in this publish.
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Dainis Graveris

October 12, 2008

Awesome tips :) I am greaful for sharing :)

Dainis Graveris´s lastest blog post..300+ Jquery, CSS, MooTools and JS navigation menus
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Arron Lock

October 7, 2008

@ Joann Sondy
Thanks for the comment and good luck with your PDF topic. Glad I could help ;)

@Bruce Colthart
Good call on the font permissions. I totally missed that one. It’s not something I run into often.

Arron Lock´s lastest blog post..I’m a Guest Author…
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bruce colthart

October 7, 2008

Make sure too, to check that your all your fonts embed in your pdf – not all fonts carry those rights, and you may send your client a comp or your printer a finished pdf, with missing or substituted fonts. For display [larger] type, it’s reasonable to convert to outlines if/when that problem arises (InDesign makes that easy).

bruce colthart´s lastest blog post..Visual brand vigilance
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Joann Sondy

October 7, 2008

A very good post with key points and communicating with the printer is key. Having press specifications and setup is key.

As a seasoned print designer (and I’ve worked with some of the largest printers including Donnelly & ADP) you’ve overlooked one of the greatest advancements in our industry: the print-ready PDF.

The cross-platform compatibility of PDFs is tremendous. When I left the ‘big’ for a much smaller community, I actually had to push and demand that I would only send PDFs to printers, publishers, etc. A properly distilled PDF can help eliminate so many problems and pre-flight issues.

If you are assembling your print files correctly, then making the right selections when creating a PDF will be more than enough to guarantee a positive outcome.

I think you have just provided me with a topic for an upcoming post on my own blog. “How to Create a PDF that Your Printer will Love.”
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Matt

October 7, 2008

Ahh, thanks Arron, I am going to look into 48hour, as I am in need of some new business cards. Thank you for the quick response too!

Matt´s lastest blog post..Web Standards can make you rich!
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NaldzGraphics

October 7, 2008

nice article. i find it very useful.thanks for the tips Arron.
following you on twitter.keep up the good work

Ronald

NaldzGraphics´s lastest blog post..How to Design an Instant Coffee Sachet in Photoshop
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Arron Lock

October 7, 2008

@Matt
Thanks Matt. I use a local printer that I have a partnership worked out with but if I were to go to an “Online” printer, then I would say 48hourprint.com

I have used them in the past and, while, you can’t get much custom stuff like spot varnish or die cutting, they do produce what they have in great quality. A lot of people I know use Vista Print… I don’t care for them. I have seen their work and it looks cheap to me. Also I called to ask them some very simple questions and they could not answer me. 48hour had all the answers and more. Hope that helps.

Arron Lock´s lastest blog post..I’m a Guest Author…
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Matt

October 7, 2008

Absolutely a good resource to save. I do not do much print work, as I too am a Web Designer, and I need all the help I can get hen it comes to print.

Anyone have any reliable printers they would recommend? Preferably someone you have worked with in the past, and would trust with holding your first born son over a firey pit of lava.
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Grant Friedman

October 7, 2008

Nice post! These are things that everyone forgets about at one time or another.

Grant Friedman´s lastest blog post..Working With Pattern Swatches in Illustrator
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binocle

October 7, 2008

You dont always have to convert your images in rvb;
A good way to work is to import your rvb images in indesign and then export the final product in pdf with the good CMJK presets.
Doing so the same pictures can be used for multiples outputs (one preset for the newspaper press, another for the high quality glossy paper magazine, etc)
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Arron Lock

October 6, 2008

@Brian Yerkes
Thanks for the comment. What I was getting at with “Talk to the people who will be handling your job, let them know what to expect and they will be prepared to handle your job the best way possible.” is that you should let the printer know exactly what you want. I see your point though. I will make an edit so that it is a little clearer. Thanks again.

Arron Lock´s lastest blog post..I’m a Guest Author…
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Brian Yerkes

October 6, 2008

Very nice post. Always good to read about pre-press setup. I would reword this sentence personally “Talk to the people who will be handling your job, let them know what to expect and they will be prepared to handle your job the best way possible.”

I think it is better practice to speak with the printers and request that they send the exact file specs, dimensions etc to you rather than you sending what you think they need. Printers vary quite a bit in how they do things, and if you don’t get it right, your client or you could end up footing a larger bill for taking up the printing companies time with pre-press issues.

Brian Yerkes´s lastest blog post..Video Tut #2 – Quickly Create a Post-It Note in Photoshop
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Arron Lock

October 6, 2008

Thanks for all the comments! I’m glad that you all found this useful. Be sure to check back for more.

Arron Lock´s lastest blog post..I’m a Guest Author…
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Alek

October 6, 2008

I’ve definitely made some of these mistakes myself, being predominately a web designer. I’ll definitely keep this for reference on my next print job. Thanks.

Alek´s lastest blog post..Daily Photo: Levitation
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Geoserv

October 6, 2008

STUMBLED!

Never thought about the resolution difference between the web and print.

Geoserv´s lastest blog post..Foxiewire removes Pligg
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John

@johnonolan October 6, 2008

Great article, thanks for sharing :) Printing is certainly not my strong point, so I’ve learned something!
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