Summary:
Design files are considered “print-ready” when they’re correctly formatted for digital, direct-to-substrate, flatbed, or offset printing. Designers and marketing teams should design in CMYK color mode, not RGB, and ensure the resolution of the final file and/or any embedded images meets or exceeds 300 dpi. Most professional print shops will provide guidelines for trim, bleed, and margins as well as the preferred file type and whether you need to embed or outline your fonts.
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How Print-Ready Are You? A Self-Audit Tool for Designers & Marketing Teams
You know design. We know print. Working together is the best way to make sure that every product you order from us looks and performs as it should. When your files are set up with the right settings and specifications, your order moves faster with fewer costly mistakes.
Use this self-audit tool as a pre-flight check before you send us your files. Just answer a few quick questions to get helpful suggestions and step-by-step instructions for setting your designs up for success in the most popular programs, including Canva, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
What’s in the Quiz?
Just about everything you need for any project or product you’ll find on our site. It’s best to actually go through the quiz itself, because that’s where all of the best tips live, but you can also reference the full checklist here or print it off if you want to keep it on hand.
File Setup:
- Did you choose the correct template or trim size?
- Did you add ⅛” bleed to all sides?
- Is your file set to CMYK instead of RGB?
Assets & Links:
- Are both your final file and/or embedded images high-res?
- Are all images embedded instead of linked?
- Are all fonts embedded or outlined?
Layout & Cleanup:
- Did you confirm there are no hidden layers, notes, or stray images?
- Did you proofread all the text?
- Is all text clear, legible, and easy to read?
Approval, Specs & Ordering:
- Have all parties signed off on the final design?
- Do you know how many copies you need?
- Did you choose the right material?
- Did you order a free test copy using the code FREEPROOF first?
Some projects don’t fit neatly into the usual boxes. If you can’t find a similar product on our site, we recommend reaching out to us quickly to confirm we can accommodate you. The good news is we have the equipment and techs to handle just about anything you throw at us!
FAQs About Printing From Designers & Marketing Teams
1. What file formats do you accept?
Technically, we can print from all of the following:
- PDFs
- AI
- EPS
- TIFFs
PDF is the safest choice because it locks in your fonts, images, and bleed settings and lowers the risk of quality issues along the way.
If you send an AI or EPS file, please embed your images and outline fonts first. We don’t recommend JPEGs or PNGs for final print as the quality is usually too low.
2. How long will my order take once my file is approved?
That’s up to you, for the most part!
Most digital and flatbed jobs ship within 1-3 business days, but you can choose a production time between 1-7 business days. Faster turnaround times cost a little bit more, but you can save a few bucks by going with a longer timeline if you don’t need them right away.
Large runs or special custom orders might take a little bit more time to process, but we’ll always let you know right away if this is the case.
3. I have a really wild idea for a unique project you don’t sell. Can you still help?
Absolutely. We live for oddball projects and have plenty of experience with them (just check out our Big Heads and Life-Size Cutouts). Send us the size, shape, quantity, and any special materials you’re dreaming about and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
4. I found a typo five minutes after uploading. Is it too late to fix it?
They don’t say the best way to proofread something is to publish it for nothing! If it’s only been a few minutes, send us the updated copy and call us ASAP to let us know. We usually check submitted files a few times a day, but speaking with us directly is the fastest way to make the switch.
If the print is already underway, we’ll let you know what stage we’re at and what it will cost (if anything) to switch files. If it’s already done, the only option might be to start over from scratch, but we’ll do our best to work with you on the new copy.
Get Professional Results Every Time With Little Rock™
Not sure about something or want us to review your files before you order? Send us a message and we’ll do our best to help however we can. If you’d rather chat one on one, call us at (403) 269-7022 anytime between 7 a.m and 5 p.m. MST Monday-Friday!
