Print-Ready Files

What Is Not Considered Print-Ready?

AI-Generated Artwork

Please note that AI-generated images and graphics are not automatically print-ready. Many AI-generated files are created at resolutions intended for screen viewing and may not have sufficient resolution for high-quality printing, especially when enlarged.

AI-generated artwork may require resizing, resolution enhancement, rebuilding, or other file preparation before printing. If the original file does not contain enough image detail, some softness, pixelation, or loss of quality may still be visible in the finished print.

Additional file-preparation or artwork fees may apply if adjustments are needed to prepare AI-generated artwork for production.

A file may require additional preparation if, for example:

  • A JPG, PNG, screenshot, Canva export, AI-generated image, or other file requires additional setup to reproduce properly in print.
  • It is the wrong size or proportion.
  • Bleed is missing where artwork runs to the edge.
  • Text or important artwork is too close to the trim line.
  • Images are low resolution.
  • Fonts are missing or not properly embedded.
  • The supplied file requires resizing, repositioning, or other layout changes.
  • The artwork contains technical issues that must be corrected before production.

What Is a Print-Ready File?

A print-ready file is a finished digital file that is properly set up for professional printing and can be sent directly into production without requiring design changes, resizing, or file corrections.

Providing a properly prepared file helps ensure that your finished piece looks the way you intended and prevents delays or additional file-preparation charges.

Print-Ready File Requirements

For the best results, files submitted to Presidential Printing should meet the following guidelines:

Color
Files designed for commercial printing are generally best prepared using CMYK color. Colors displayed on a computer or phone screen use RGB light and may appear different when reproduced with printing inks or toner. Exact screen-to-print color matching cannot always be guaranteed.

PDF Format Preferred
A high-quality PDF is our preferred file format. PDFs help preserve your fonts, images, layout, and formatting as designed.

Correct Finished Size
Your document should be created at the actual size you would like it printed. For example, an 8.5″ × 11″ flyer should be submitted as an 8.5″ × 11″ document, plus bleed when applicable.

High-Resolution Images — 300 DPI Recommended
Photos and other raster images should generally be 300 DPI at their final printed size for the best print quality. Images copied from websites, screenshots, and other low-resolution graphics may appear blurry or pixelated when printed.

Bleed — 0.125″ (1/8″)
If any background color, photo, graphic, or other design element is intended to print all the way to the edge of the finished piece, it should extend at least 0.125″ beyond the trim line on all applicable sides. This extra area is called the bleed.

Bleed allows for the slight variation that naturally occurs during printing and trimming and helps prevent unintended white edges on the finished piece.

Safe Area — Keep Important Content Away from the Edge
Important text, logos, borders, and other essential design elements should be kept safely inside the trim edge. We recommend a minimum safe area of 0.125″ to 0.25″, with 0.25″ preferred for most designs.

Keeping important elements away from the edge gives your design breathing room and helps prevent text or other content from appearing too close to the cut.

Crop Marks
Crop marks may be included to indicate the finished trim size, particularly when your file contains bleed. Crop marks should sit outside the finished piece and should not overlap the artwork.

Fonts
Fonts should be embedded in the PDF or converted to outlines when appropriate. This helps prevent font substitutions or unexpected changes when your file is opened on another computer.

Need Help Preparing Your File?

No problem! We are happy to work with customer-supplied artwork.

We review submitted files for common production issues before printing. If your artwork requires corrections, adjustments, rebuilding, or other file preparation to make it suitable for production, an artwork or file-preparation fee may apply.

If we identify an issue that may significantly affect the appearance of your finished product, we’ll contact you before proceeding.

Not Sure If Your File Is Print-Ready?

Send it to us! We can review your artwork and let you know if it is ready to print or if any adjustments are recommended.