In the print industry, the files need to be perfect when supplied for mass printing.

Files that are not designed or prepared well enough for commercial printing can affect both the document and the print outcome with problems such as color distortion, missing or distorted text, and so on.

This is where a press-quality PDF is required for converting into an optimized format that is flexible for all commercial printing purposes.​

How to Create Print-Ready Files Using:

Adobe Acrobat
  1. Open the PDF in Acrobat and select the hamburger meu (Windows) > Save as other > Press-ready PDF (PDF/ X).
  2. In the Save As dialog box, select Settings.
  3. In the Preflight dialog, select Save as PDF/X-4 and select OK. ​
Microsoft PowerPo​​int
  1. First, make sure your slide is designed to the correct size for printing.
  2. Go to “Design” > “Slide Size” > “Custom Slide Size”.
  3. Save the files as pdf.
  4. Microsoft Word – PC
  5. Choose File Print
  6. Select “Adobe PDF” as the printer
  7. Under Properties
  8. Select: “Press Quality” for Default Setting
  9. Uncheck “Rely on system fonts only; do not use document fonts”
  10. Select the appropriate size
Canva
  1. Choose Print > Select PDF Print to download a high-resolution file
  2. Check the box to include cop marks and bleed on all four sides of the document.
  3. Select CMYK if you have a Canva Pro subscription, or RGB if you don’t*
  4. Check the Flatten PDF ox if your design has fonts or colors from Canva Pro or placed images
  5. lick Download to generate a print-ready PDF

*From makers of Canva: Canva and Pantone Canva does allow you to input your brand Pantone colors. However when it is exported, it changes Pantone colors to RGB. If we’ve done any printing for your company in the past using Pantone colors, this can create some discrepancy. We do our best to match regardless, however you should be aware that anything printed from Canva in RGB will not 100% match previously printed items with Pantones embedded. 

InDesign
  1. Choose File > Export.
  2. Specify a name and location for the file.
  3. For “Save As Type” (Windows) or “Format” (Mac OS), choose “Adobe PDF”, and then click Save.
  4. Choose Adobe PDF Preset “Press Quality”
  5. Then select the following options: Under “Marks and Bleeds” select a. crop marks b. bleed (.125”)
  6. Click Export (Windows) or Save (Mac OS).
Illustrator
  1. Choose File > Save As or File > Save A Copy
  2. Specify a name and location for the file.
  3. Choose Adobe PDF (*.PDF) as the file format and click Save
  4. Choose Adobe PDF Preset “Press Quality”
  5. Then select the following options: Under “Marks and Bleeds” select a. crop marks b. bleed (.125”)
  6. Click Export (Windows) or Save (Mac OS).
Photoshop
  1. Choose File > Save As, and then choose Photoshop PDF from the Format menu.
  2. Click Save. In the Save Adobe PDF dialog box, choose an Adobe PDF preset specifying whether the Photoshop file will be printed on a desktop printer or proofer, sent to a commercial printer, distributed by email, displayed on the web, and so on. For details, see Adobe PDF presets.
  3. Choose Adobe PDF Preset “Press Quality”
  4. Click Export (Windows) or Save (Mac OS).

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