September 25, 2024
5 Essential Tips To Perfectly Prepare Your Designs For Print
At McNeil Printing, one of the most rewarding aspects of our work is witnessing the creativity of designers and artists come to life through print. Seeing a digital design transformed into a tangible, high-quality product is something we’re proud
to facilitate. However, there are a few common challenges that can delay the process.
By following these five key steps, you can ensure your files are print-ready, saving both time and money while ensuring the best possible results.
Here’s how:
Always Include Bleeds and Use the Safe Zone
Printed materials are trimmed to size, so to avoid a white border, it’s crucial that your design’s background and colors extend slightly beyond the final cut. This extension is called a "bleed." We recommend a standard bleed of 1/8" (0.125
inches) on each side for most materials. Not including bleed is one of the most frequent reasons designs are sent back for revision.
Additionally, it’s important to keep all critical content—like text—inside the "safe zone," which is the area safely away from the edge. This helps ensure that nothing essential gets trimmed off during the cutting process. Want to learn
more? Check out our Designer Resources page for detailed guides on bleeds and safe zones.
Design in CMYK for Accurate Color Print Reproduction
While many online designs are created in RGB format, professional printing uses CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black). RGB colors don’t always convert seamlessly to CMYK, leading to unintended color shifts. To prevent this, set your document to the CMYK color profile from the start, and make sure any images or graphics are also in CMYK. This will allow you to adjust colors and avoid surprises in the final printed product. For a deep dive into color profiles, visit our Color Profiles page.
Ensure All Artwork is at Print-Ready Resolution (300dpi)
Designs for the web are typically created at 72dpi (dots per inch). This creates a smaller file for a faster load on a website. However, print requires a much higher resolution for crisp, sharp images. Always create your design at 300 DPI to ensure high-quality printing. Be sure your design’s dimensions match the final, printed product, plus the bleed. For example, if you’re designing an 8.5" x 11" inch flyer with bleed, the design file should be set up at 8.5 x 11 inches, plus a 0.125-inch bleed on all sides, with a resolution of 300 DPI.
Outline Fonts Before Saving Your Design
To ensure your fonts display correctly, always outline them before exporting your file to a PDF. Outlining converts the fonts to vector shapes, ensuring they stay intact and consistent regardless of which software or system opens the file. If you’re unfamiliar with this process, check out our previous post on Outlining Fonts for step-by-step instructions. Once your design is complete, export it as a print-quality PDF, and remember to include the bleeds and trim marks.
Print a Test Copy and Proofread Your Work
Mistakes that are invisible on a screen often stand out when printed. Before submitting your final design, we recommend printing a test copy at home or in your office. Even if the printout isn’t at full size, it’s a great way to catch overlooked details. Pay extra attention to spelling, contact information, and essential details such as dates, locations, and expiration dates. These are commonly missed, and while we strive to catch errors, we may not have all the information needed. Ensuring your design is flawless will help avoid delays and costly reprints.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your designs are prepared for a seamless transition from screen to print. At McNeil Printing, we’re always here to help bring your vision to life with exceptional quality and service. Ready to get started? Contact us today to discuss your next project!
