When you plan to work with a printing services company it’s important to provide a print-ready file.  That way you avoid issues with the artwork, potential errors or a result other than what is expected.  A press quality file includes:

• Crop marks
• Bleeds – 1/8 inch beyond the borders
• Colors – Spot or CMYK (depending on the print method)
• Correct Sizing
• Photo resolution at 300 dpi
• Fonts that are either embedded or outlined

While printers can work with files from many design applications it is best to provide your printing partner a press quality PDF. A PDF is the preferred format because it packages all the components of your file including fonts, color information and other important settings while still allowing the printer flexibility to make modifications to the file and prep it for printing.  Many programs provide several methods to make a pdf file (printing to a pdf driver, saving a file as a pdf and exporting the file as a pdf).

Below is are instructions for how to convert a file to pdf document in some of the more popular programs. Regardless of the method chosen, a press quality pdf should be the result.

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).

Microsoft PowerPoint
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.

Microsoft Word – MAC
1. Choose File menu, click Print, and then click Save As PDF.
2. In the Save As box, type a name for the file.
3. Locate the folder and disk where you want to save the file, and then click Save.

Microsoft Word – PC
1. Choose File Print
2. Select “Adobe PDF” as the printer
3. Under Properties
4. Select: “Press Quality” for Default Setting
5. Uncheck “Rely on system fonts only; do not use document fonts”
6. Select the appropriate size

Providing a press quality pdf will help to ensure that your final product will turn out just as you expect.  Kendall Press is a commercial printing services provider for the greater Boston and Cambridge areas.  We can help answer any questions you have about setting your files up to achieve the outcome you desire.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.