Preparing PDF files

A well-made PDF is the fastest way to a good print job. Check these before you send.

Resolution

Export at high resolution. From InDesign or other Adobe apps, choose the Press Quality preset or better. From other apps, don’t downsample images below 300 dpi and don’t compress them.

Color

Your PDF should be CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and black). We can convert RGB, but some colors will shift, so it’s better to start in CMYK.

Bleeds and crop marks

If anything prints to the edge of the sheet, extend it at least 1/8" past the trim and turn on crop marks and bleed in the export settings. See Bleeds and safe zones.

Images

Use only high-resolution PNG, JPEG or TIFF images: at least 300 dpi at the size they print, CMYK for best results. Avoid web graphics; see Artwork preparation.