PRINT-READY FILES
PRINT READY
FILE BASICS
TRIM line
PrintingCenterUSA accepts your print-ready files at checkout . All files are run through our 43-point Free File Review Inspection to check for any errors .
We have a wealth of information in our 24-Hour
Help Center with answers to many common questions about print-ready file preparation and more . Follow the QR code at the bottom of the page to explore our Help Center .
To ensure that your file produces a high quality printed product , follow these main guidelines in your print-ready file preparation :
RESOLUTION
PrintingCenterUSA recommends that the file and / or image resolution should be set at 300 dpi to ensure that the final document is not pixelated ( i . e ., fuzzy ) when printed . This includes all images that are placed in your document as well , in addition to the final publication file .
300 DPI 72 DPI
FILE FORMAT
PrintingCenterUSA recommends that you submit your art as a print-ready PDF . A PDF file is the preferred format because it packages all the components of your file including fonts , color information , graphics , and other important settings . Your packaged PDF file contains everything we need to print your file and ensures that you don ’ t have to send us additional fonts and graphics . We have step-by-step tutorials with instructions on how to export a high quality PDF file from your design program in our Help Center .
BLEEDS
Bleed is printing the image or color beyond the trim line . The image is printed on an oversized sheet that is cut down to size with the appearance that the image is “ bleeding ” off the edge of the paper . It is a best practice to set up your bleeds at the very beginning of your project so you don ’ t have to adjust at the end .
A few terms you must understand along with bleed are trim line , safety , and borders . Bleed 1 / 8 " is the area that will be trimmed off . Safety 1 / 8 " is the area in between the trim line and the image , making the entire border 3 / 8 ". Please refer to the graphic above for reference , and you can read more about bleeds in our Help Center .
PAGE COUNT
We require that any booklet or multi-page files be sent as single pages , not spreads . In your file , page 1 should be the front cover and the last page should be the back cover .
Example for an 8-page document :
• The Front Cover is Page 1 .
• The Inside Front Cover is Page 2 .
• The last page is the Back Cover , Page 8 .
PrintingCenterUSA ’ s prepress department will personally arrange the single pages from your PDF onto front and back sheets . For this reason , we do not accept spreads .
COLOR QUALITY
Every product should be designed in the CMYK color mode whenever possible . CMYK stands for Cyan , Magenta , Yellow , and Key ( Black ). If the product is not saved in CMYK , PrintingCenterUSA will automatically convert the design from RGB ( red , green , and blue ; this is what you see on your monitor ) to CMYK .
SIZE
To ensure price quote and design accuracy , it is crucial that the size of the order matches the size of the PDF . The PDF ( saved with bleed ) should be . 25 ” larger for both the length and width than your desired product size . For example , if you are ordering an 8.5 ” x 11 ” booklet , the dimensions of your PDF document ( saved with bleed ) should be 8.75 ” x 11.25 ”.
NEED MORE HELP ? We have a 24-Hour Help Center ( PrintingCenterUSA . com / help-center ) with answers to all your printing questions and more !