Checklist: How to prepare your design for print

Print design is the process of creating visual content that is intended to be printed on physical surfaces, such as paper, cardboard, or fabric. In general, business print design primarily takes into account stuff such as boxes and labels design, brochures, posters, advertisements, billboards, tradeshow panels etc. When preparing a design for print, there are several key considerations to keep in mind:

Resolution:

Make sure that your images and graphics are high resolution (at least 300 dpi) to ensure that they will print clearly and sharply.

Color mode

Set the color mode to CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) as most printers use this color mode.

Bleed

Add a bleed area to your design to account for any slight variations in the printing process. This is an area where the image extends beyond the edge of the final print size.

File format

Save your design as a PDF or a TIFF file, these are the most common format that printers accept. Best is to ask the printer beforehand about the file format they are comfortable with.

Size

: Be sure that your design is the correct size and dimension for the final print product.

Fonts

Embed or convert all fonts to outlines to avoid font issues during the printing process.

Proofreading

Double-check your design for any errors or mistakes before sending it to the printer.

Print ready

:check if your design is print ready and check if all the elements are in the correct position and layers.

It’s always a good idea to consult with your printer or printing service to confirm that your design meets their specific requirements.