Print files are one of the most common reasons for production delays. Even a well-designed book, catalog or flyer can require revisions if the files are not prepared according to printing rules. Importantly, most mistakes are repeated over and over again – regardless of the project or the client’s experience.
From a printer’s perspective, many of them are an absolute daily occurrence. And while they often seem minor, they can affect quality, timing and sometimes even the cost of production.
Below you’ll find the 7 errors that print files most often contain.
Print files without bleeds
This is one of the most classic problems. Files very often go to the printers without bleeds, that is, without an additional area outside the cut line.
The result? After trimming, a white line can appear on the edge of the design. To avoid this, bleeds of 3 mm on each side are standard.
Lack of bleeds is not only a matter of aesthetics – it is one of the most common reasons why files go back for improvement.
RGB instead of CMYK
Printing does not work in RGB space. What looks good on the screen may look very different when printed.
Files prepared in RGB often result:
- color change (e.g., reds fall into orange)
- decrease in saturation
- lack of control over the final effect
Therefore, all files should be saved in CMYK – preferably with the appropriate color profile.
Print files with too low a resolution
Another common problem is that the quality of photos is too low. Files for printing should use a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
In practice, printers often get:
- 72 dpi graphics
- pictures downloaded from the internet
- materials scaled “by force”
The result is blurry, out-of-focus prints. This can no longer be fixed at the production stage.
Files with incorrect back
In the case of books, files very often have a badly prepared spine. The problem is that its width depends on the number of pages and paper.
If the spine is miscalculated:
- graphic doesn’t hit the right spot
- text “escapes” to the cover
- the whole thing looks unprofessional
Therefore, cover files should always be prepared based on the exact guidelines of the printer.
Print files without security margins
Drop-offs are one thing, but safety margins are equally important. This is the area inside the design where important elements should not be.
Print files often have text too close to the edges. After trimming, you may find that:
- text is “cut off”
- looks too tight
- disturbs readability
A margin of at least 5 mm from the cut line is standard.
Print files with fonts without conversion
Fonts are another problem that often appears in files for printing. If fonts are not converted to curves or properly embedded, they can “fall apart” when the file is opened.
The result:
- the appearance of the text changes
- other typefaces appear
- the layout is moving
Therefore, files for printing should have fonts converted to curves or saved in PDF with embedded fonts.
Files with the wrong format
The last common problem is an incorrect file format. Files for printing should be prepared exactly in the target size.
Meanwhile, they often appear:
- files with bad proportions
- inconsistency between pages
- designs “by eye” adjusted to the format
This creates additional work and the risk of production errors.
Summary
Print files have a huge impact on the entire production process. Even small errors can lead to delays, corrections or quality degradation.
That’s why it’s a good idea to treat file preparation as an integral part of the project, rather than the last “quick fix” step. In practice, well-prepared files mean less stress, faster production and a better end result.