What Is A Print-Ready File?

A “print-ready” file is terminology commonly used in the printing industry and refers to a file that meets all necessary specifications to result in a high resolution printed product without the need for any additional intervention or alteration.

Commercial printing is a little more complicated than just selecting “File” –> “Print” from your Word, Excel or Publisher file at home. Commercial printing generally involves printing multiple copies of an artwork design on a large sheet of paper or card stock, which is then cut down with a guillotine to the correct final size.

Due to all the specifications required in generating a high quality “print-ready” file, most graphic designers and commercial printers use professional graphics software like Adobe (including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop). Therefore, a Word, Excel or Publisher file will not be accepted as a print-ready file.

Below is an example of a print-ready file:

Example of a Print-Ready File

Print-ready File Specifications:

  • Generally PDF files are preferred
  • Artwork is set to the correct final size
  • 3mm bleed and offset trim marks are included
  • All fonts are embedded
  • Transparencies have been flattened
  • All images are of at least 300dpi resolution and have been converted to CMYK colour space (not RGB)

Common issues that prevent a file from being print-ready:

  • Document not sized correctly
  • Colours have not been converted to CMYK or Spot (Pantone/PMS) colours
  • Important text and images are too close to the edge of the document (i.e. not enough margin)
  • Images are not high resolution (300dpi) and will thus print blurry
  • Artwork that sits on the trimmed edge has not been extended at least 3mm past the trim marks (i.e. no bleed)
  • No trim or crop marks have been provided
  • Text too small. Depending on the style of font, the minimum size of font to be readable is around 6pt.

Trim Marks

This is the final size of the document and where the guillotine will cut to create the final product.

Trim Marks on a Print Ready File

Margin

Also known as the “safe zone”, all important text and graphics should stay within 5mm of the trimmed edge.

Margins on a Print Ready File

Bleed

Bleed is required the artwork design incorporates any image or colour that extends to the edge of the final document. In order to prevent a white border on the edges of the final product due to slight variations in printing and guillotining, the image or colour must extend at least 3mm past the trim marks (or trimmed edges).