How to prepare artwork for printing
Last updated 2026-08-22
In short
Print-ready artwork is a CMYK PDF at 300 dpi with 3 mm bleed on every edge, all text at least 4 mm inside the trim, fonts outlined or embedded, and rich black built as C60 M40 Y40 K100 for large solid areas. Export as PDF/X-4 with crop marks offset 3 mm.
Bleed and safety
Bleed is artwork extended 3 mm past the trim so a slight cutting shift doesn't leave a white sliver. Safety is the 4–5 mm inside the trim where no text or logo should sit.
Colour and resolution
Convert to CMYK before export — RGB blues and greens shift noticeably when converted at the press. Images should be 300 dpi at final size; large-format artwork can drop to 100–150 dpi at full size.
Fonts and blacks
Outline or embed all fonts. Use 100% K only for small text; for large black areas use rich black or the result looks grey and mottled.
Export checklist
PDF/X-4, CMYK, 300 dpi, 3 mm bleed, crop marks on, transparency preserved, single pages in reading order rather than spreads.
Frequently asked questions
What is bleed in printing?
Artwork extended 3 mm beyond the final trim size so cutting tolerance never leaves an unprinted white edge.
Which file format should I send to a printer?
A PDF/X-4 in CMYK at 300 dpi with bleed and outlined fonts. AI, INDD and PSD files are accepted but slow the job down.