A file that looks fine on screen can still print badly. Three checks catch most problems before a Maker even sees your order.
1. Resolution
Print needs far more detail than a screen. Aim for 300 pixels per inch at the size you will print. A photo that is 1,000 pixels wide is sharp at about eight centimetres, and soft at twenty. If you only have a small file, use it smaller, or ask the Maker what they can do with it.
2. Bleed and safe area
Paper is cut after printing, and the blade moves a little. Extend any background colour or picture 3 mm beyond the trim line (the bleed), and keep text at least 3 mm inside it (the safe area). The online designer draws both lines on the product so you can see them as you work.
3. Colour
Screens mix light; presses mix ink. Bright blues and greens on a screen can look duller in print. If a Maker works in CMYK, ask for a proof, and send your file in CMYK where you can. Black text should be a single black, not a mix of four colours.
One last look
- Zoom to 100% and read every word.
- Check the spelling of names.
- Export as a PDF with fonts embedded, or outline the text.
- Open the preview in the designer and compare it with your original.
Makers who offer proofs send you the print for approval before production. It is the cheapest moment to catch a mistake.
