Getting your artwork “print-ready” is one of the most important steps in the printing process—and one of the most overlooked. A great design can easily fall short if the file isn’t set up correctly for print. From incorrect sizing to missing bleed, small technical issues can lead to costly delays, reprints, or disappointing results.
At Print by Sassy, we want to make sure your experience is smooth from start to finish. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to prepare your artwork properly, so your prints come out clean, sharp, and professional every time.
What Does “Print-Ready” Actually Mean?
A print-ready file is a final version of your artwork that is correctly formatted for professional printing. This means:
- The correct dimensions are set
- Bleed and margins are included
- Colours are in the right format
- Images are high resolution
- Fonts are embedded or outlined
- The file is exported in the correct format
When all of these elements are in place, your file can go straight to print without needing adjustments.
1. Set Your Document to the Correct Size
Before you even start designing, make sure your document size matches the final print size.
Common examples:
- Business card: 90mm x 50mm
- A6 flyer: 105mm x 148mm
- A5 flyer: 148mm x 210mm
- A4 document: 210mm x 297mm
Designing at the correct size ensures everything prints exactly as intended, without scaling or distortion.
2. Add Bleed to Avoid White Edges
Bleed is essential for any design that extends to the edge of the page.
Standard bleed: 3mm on all sides
For example:
- A4 final size: 210mm x 297mm
- With bleed: 216mm x 303mm
This extra space gets trimmed off after printing, ensuring full edge-to-edge coverage without unwanted white borders.
3. Keep a Safe Margin for Important Content
While bleed protects the edges, safe margins protect your content.
Keep all important elements (text, logos, key visuals) at least 5mm inside the trim line. This prevents anything important from being cut off during trimming.
4. Use CMYK Colour Mode
Printing uses CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black), not RGB.
If your artwork is created in RGB, colours may:
- Appear more vibrant on screen
- Print duller or slightly different
To avoid surprises, always set your document to CMYK from the beginning.
5. Ensure Images Are High Resolution (300 DPI)
Low-resolution images are one of the biggest causes of poor print quality.
For best results:
- Use 300 DPI images
- Avoid pixelated or blurry graphics
- Don’t upscale small images to fit larger spaces
If you’re unsure, zoom into your image at 100%—if it looks soft or pixelated, it won’t print well.
6. Convert Fonts to Outlines or Embed Them
Fonts can sometimes change or break if they’re not installed on the printing system.
To avoid this:
- Convert text to outlines (preferred)
- Or embed fonts when exporting your PDF
This ensures your typography remains exactly as designed.
7. Use the Right File Format
The best format for print-ready artwork is:
- PDF (High Quality / Press Ready)
Other acceptable formats (if required):
- AI (Adobe Illustrator)
- PSD (Photoshop)
- High-resolution JPEG (flattened artwork)
Always export at maximum quality with no unnecessary compression.
8. Flatten Transparencies and Effects
Design tools often use effects like drop shadows, gradients, and transparency.
Before sending your file:
- Flatten transparencies
- Ensure effects render correctly
- Double-check for unexpected visual changes
This avoids printing errors or missing elements.
9. Check Colour Richness (Especially for Black)
Not all black is created equal in print.
- Standard black (text): 100% K
- Rich black (backgrounds): combination of CMYK for deeper tone
Using the wrong black can result in faded or uneven prints, especially on large areas.
10. Double-Check Everything Before Exporting
Before finalizing your file, run through this checklist:
- Correct dimensions (including bleed)
- Safe margins respected
- CMYK colour mode
- Images at 300 DPI
- Fonts outlined or embedded
- No spelling or contact detail errors
- Proper alignment and spacing
This final check can save you time, money, and frustration.
11. Export Settings That Matter
When exporting your file as a PDF:
- Use High Quality Print or Press Quality preset
- Include bleed and crop marks
- Do not downsample images
- Embed all fonts (if not outlined)
These settings ensure your file is truly print-ready.
12. When in Doubt, Ask
If you’re unsure about any part of your artwork setup, don’t guess.
At Print by Sassy, we’re here to help you:
- Review your files before printing
- Fix setup issues
- Recommend the best formats and finishes
- Ensure your final product looks exactly as expected
A quick check can prevent a full reprint.
Final Thoughts
Setting up your artwork correctly isn’t just a technical step—it’s the foundation of great printing.
By following this print-ready guide, you’ll:
- Avoid common mistakes
- Speed up the printing process
- Get sharper, cleaner, more professional results
Whether you’re printing marketing materials, business essentials, or custom designs, taking the time to prepare your files properly makes all the difference.
Ready to Print?
If your artwork is ready—or you need help getting it there—Print by Sassy has you covered. From quick prints to high-quality custom jobs, we’ll make sure your final product meets the highest standards.
Get in touch today and let’s get your project print-ready.