Pushing “print” on a big job is always a little nerve-racking. Have you dotted all the “i’s” and crossed all the “t’s?” Is there a typo? An incorrect size? An incorrect file? Is there enough bleed? Will you get it to the printer in time to be distributed before the big sale or event? Relax—we have you covered! Here’s what you’ll need to know for a perfectly timed, perfectly printed job, every time.
One of the easiest ways to get tripped up before printing is by creating your piece in the wrong file format. You’ll end up with incompatible files that the printer can’t use—or worse, blurry photos or pixelated graphics that your customer can’t use. Save yourself those headaches with this handy chart, which outlines the file types that are preferred when you’re printing out different types of pieces:
File Format |
Images/Graphics (Includes Artwork/Illustrations/ Typography) |
Logos |
Photos |
Outdoor |
Print Documents |
.ai |
✓ |
✓ |
|
✓ |
✓ |
.eps |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
||
.jpg or .jpeg |
✓ |
||||
|
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
||
.psd |
✓ |
||||
.tif or .tiff |
✓ |
These next two items are straightforward. Make sure that your image resolution is sharp. We recommend a 300 (or higher) DPI image for maximum quality on most jobs. However, for print jobs viewed at a distance (like a billboard or truck), the resolution does not need to be as sharp, so the large format may be 100 DPI at actual size. Check your file size too to keep it manageable. Higher resolution = larger file size, so speak with your print partner to determine the best resolution for each specific job.
This is just a guideline, but the loose file size requirements for high-quality files are:
So that you don’t miss a detail, use this checklist to make sure that your file has exactly what your printer needs:
Once you’ve nailed the above steps, you’re ready to ship to your printer. Since each printer has their own system for sending, check their preference first. They’ll likely tell you to:
Now you’re ready to roll through the presses. And for an unabridged version of all things pre-press, download our guide, “Print Like a Pro.” Keep these resources handy for every print job. You can be confident hitting “send” again and again (and your printer will thank you too)!