Preparing files for printing is a process that requires great precision and attention to detail. Small mistakes at the design stage can lead to serious problems at the production stage. Resulting not only in wasted time, but also in additional costs and an unsatisfactory end result. To avoid such situations, it is useful to know the most common pitfalls you can fall into when preparing your files for print. Here are the 7 most common mistakes and how to avoid them. So that your projects always look perfect and meet all the requirements of the printing house.
1. Incorrect bleed settings
One of the most common mistakes that we can make is the lack of, or incorrect setting of bleeds. Bleeds are safety margins that we add to a design to avoid white edges after trimming the print. In practice, this means that graphics and other elements that are to come to the very edge of the design should extend beyond the cut line by a few millimetres. As a standard rule of thumb, the bleed should be between 3 and 5 mm. Depending on the type of design and the requirements of the printer.
How to avoid this: It is crucial to remember to add the correct bleed at the design stage. It is also important that the background and other graphic elements across the entire print area extend beyond the cut area. This will ensure that unsightly white margins do not appear after trimming the print.
2. Inadequate image resolution also means wrong preparing files for print
Another common mistake is to use images with too low a resolution. Images that look good on a computer screen will not necessarily look as good on a printout. The standard resolution for print files is 300 dpi (dots per inch). Using graphics with a lower resolution can lead to visible pixels, which will negatively affect the quality of the final product.
How to avoid this: To avoid resolution issues, always check the resolution of images before placing them in a project. All graphics and images should be at least 300dpi. It will ensure that they have the right sharpness and quality on print. Also worth remembering is that artificially increasing the resolution of an image in a graphics program will not improve its quality. It is best to work with files of the correct resolution straight away.
3. Failure to maintain adequate colour space
One of the most common mistakes is not managing the colour space correctly. Designs prepared in the RGB colour space may look different when converted to CMYK, which is the standard for printing. RGB is the colour space used to display images on computer screens, monitors and phones. CMYK, on the other hand, is used in printing processes. Switching a design from RGB to CMYK may cause some colours to lose their intensity. They may also look different to how they look on a monitor.
How to avoid this: To avoid problems related to colour differences, it is best to work in CMYK space from the very beginning. If you have created your design in RGB, it is a good idea to convert it to CMYK before sending it to print. In addition – it is a good idea to use a Pantone colour swatch or do a test print to make sure the colours will be as expected.
4. Preparing files for print and bad black settings
Incorrect black setting is another mistake that can affect the appearance of the print. Offset printing often uses ‘pure black’ (black only), i.e. 100% black with no other colours added. Such black is used in text and thin lines where no additional saturation is needed. On the other hand, for large areas such as backgrounds, we use a so-called ‘rich black’. It consists of 100% black plus smaller percentages of the other colours. E.g. 60% cyan, 40% magenta, 40% yellow and 100% black. This provides a deeper and more intense colour.
How to avoid this: The key is to work out what black a project needs and make sure the settings are correct. If in doubt, it is worth consulting the printer for the correct colour setting guidelines.
5. No conversion of text to curves
Using non-standard fonts in a design can lead to problems at the printing stage if the printer does not have the fonts used in the file installed. In this case, texts may be replaced by other fonts, which can completely change the appearance of the design.
How to avoid this: Before sending the file to print, it is a good idea to convert all texts into curves, i.e. convert them into vector objects. This will ensure that the texts are displayed correctly, regardless of whether the printer has the right fonts or not. This is a simple but very effective method to avoid text display problems.
6. Incorrect margins and spacing
Incorrectly set margins and edge spacing can lead to undesirable effects, such as trimming of important design elements, e.g. text or logos. To avoid such situations, one should use appropriate safety margins, which are usually between 3 and 5 mm from the cutting edge.
How to avoid this: It is crucial to set appropriate safety margins and make sure that all important design elements are inside these areas. It is also a good idea to check that the design is properly centred and that there are no elements that are too close to the edge and can be trimmed.
7. Incorrect file format
An equally important part of preparing a file for printing is the correct format. The best file format for printing is PDF, as it keeps all settings, colours and fonts unchanged. Sending files in formats such as JPEG or PNG can lead to problems, especially when it comes to print quality.
How to avoid this: It is best to export your designs to PDF format, using the ‘high print quality’ or ‘printable PDF’ option. It is important that the file contains bleeds, adequate safety margins and uses the CMYK colour space.
Preparing files for print – summary
When faced with preparing files for print, avoiding the most common mistakes is key to achieving excellent results. Attention to detail at every stage of design, as well as choosing the right settings and file formats, helps avoid problems at the print stage. By adhering to the above principles, each project will look perfect and meet all expectations.