10 Essential Details to Check Before Pre – press Delivery

1.Convert text to curves

In order to avoid the situation where the font cannot be recognized or the font does not exist after the file is transferred to another computer, generally, after the file is finalized, press Ctrl+A to select all, and then press Ctrl+Shift+0 to convert the text to curves.

2.Bleed setting

To avoid the finished product showing white edges after cutting or having the content cut off, designers generally add a reserved position of 2 to 4 millimeters, known as the “bleed” (the common bleed size is 3mm), to the cutting positions around the design file. This is done to ensure the consistency of the finished product’s appearance.

3.embed the picture 

The pictures in the design file must be embedded. This step is extremely necessary to prevent the pictures from being lost when the printing file is transferred to other computers.

4.content proofreading

Before sending out the design file, you must carefully proofread the content. Check for errors in the text, punctuation, capitalization, size markings, and units. Also, verify whether the fonts can be used commercially and if they have proper copyrights.

5.color mode

For offline printed materials, the color mode should be set to CMYK format. If it is for online use, the RGB format is appropriate. Additionally, if it is spot color printing, it is necessary to match the PANTONE color number.

6.font size and line frame

It is recommended that the size of the printed text should not be smaller than 6pt. If it is too small, it will affect both the readability and the printing quality. The thickness of the graphics or wireframes should not be less than 0.25pt. Otherwise, the printed products may have broken lines or fail to be presented properly.

7.text color

The black color used in single black printing will not be affected by other colors, thus avoiding color deviation.

For the small characters in the main text that are in black color, please use single black. Since the printing process involves four-color printing, if the small characters are not in single black, ghosting will occur, which will affect the printing effect.

8.color value

The transparency of the shading or the color of the background image should not be lower than 10% to avoid the situation where it cannot be presented in the printed product. At the same time, the sum of the CMYK values should not exceed 250. Because the larger the value, the greater the ink amount of the four colors, which makes it difficult to dry and is likely to cause overprinting errors.

9.process marking

The design file should indicate information such as dimensions, color values, processes, quantity, etc., for example: hot stamping, UI, die – cutting, etc. This can avoid errors during printing and reduce unnecessary communication time. (*Note: Sometimes there may be errors in the dimensions measured by the designer. It is advisable to state that the dimensions of the bulk goods shall be based on the physical sample card.)

10.file resolution

The resolution of the printed image must be guaranteed to be 300 pixels to ensure the clarity of the finished product. If the resolution is too low, it will make the printing effect blurry and affect the perceived quality.