How to prepare a print-ready PDF

A print-ready file starts with the product you have chosen. Confirm its finished size, printed sides, material and finishing options before preparing the artwork.

1. Use the matching artwork template

Download the template for your selected specification. Finished size, bleed, safe margins, folds and cut lines are not interchangeable across products. Follow that guide instead of adding a guessed margin.

2. Check the design at its final size

Keep important text and logos inside the safe area. Extend backgrounds into the required bleed. Check images at their actual printed size: a picture that looks sharp when displayed small can look soft when enlarged.

Embed live fonts in your PDF. Remove template instructions and construction guides unless the chosen product specifically requires a technical finishing layer.

3. Follow the colour and finishing requirements

Use the colour requirements specified for your product. Ordinary full-colour print artwork is generally prepared in CMYK; spot-colour jobs and special finishes need their own preparation. Do not combine finishing artwork into an ordinary colour layer unless the product instructions say to.

Screen colours are an approximation. A bright screen colour is not a guarantee of an exact printed colour match.

4. Supply every required page

Match the file pages to the product and printed sides selected. For a front-and-back design, check both sides. For a booklet or folded product, check the page order and the selected layout requirements.

5. Review the proof, not just the checks

Inspect spelling, contact details, placement, page order and the finished view after cutting. Automated file checks do not decide whether your phone number is correct or your wording says what you intended.

Read any warnings and review every required page before confirming your approval. If something needs changing, return to the artwork before approving.

Choose your print product or ask Art Creators for design help.