PrintPlace.com Blog

One of the most important aspects of printing – and often most overlooked – is taking the time to prepare your file for printing. It’s easy to get excited about the finished product of your design, but if your files are not set up properly you may not get the results you expect. One of the most frustrating things that can happen is to get back a printing project from the presses that does not appear as you imagined. Imagine the headache you would have spared yourself if you had known these simple tips in preparing files for your postcard card printing  job. So, here are a few considerations so you can prepare your files for printing properly.

What does your printer use?
A quick call to your printer can save a lot of headache. You may find that your printer can only accommodate files of a certain type or only files that have been saved in a certain format.

For example, a common format for printing is to use a PDF (portable document format) by Adobe. If your printer can only accept certain file formats or will not be able to guarantee the quality unless a certain file type is provided by you, then that quick call or email to your printer can save you a lot of time later.

Software Differences
Many small businesses design products in Microsoft Word while professional design firms might use Adobe’s Photoshop or InDesign, to name a few. These software systems are very different in the way they display and print information.

A common example is that some software does not include images in the save files. This can also be because of the type of file format that you may be using. Make sure you know how your software packages the information so you get all of the right parts and pieces to your printer.

Reverse Compatibility
Not everyone has the latest greatest. Most major software companies release a new version of their particular software every few years. A great way to make sure your files will be compatible with older versions is to use the “Save As” feature in your software. Pick the oldest version (within reason) that will give you the same design results.

If you cannot live without the most recent version’s new tools, see if you can flatten the effects just for the file you send to the printer. Instead of upgrading, some printers use conversion software to save money, and the results may not be what you expect.

Color Systems 
Another important point is to make sure your files are in CMYK colors as opposed to RGB colors. Most design software packages will give you the option of switching between color systems, but if you are using generic word processing software, you may not have the option to change to CMYK.

If you cannot supply a printer with a CMYK version of your design, request a digital proof of your file to check the colors. Most of the time you will not have any problems, but the two color systems can clash on occasion.

Conclusion
Taking the time to prepare your file for printing can mean the difference between professional or unexpected results. With a little due diligence, you should be able to make sure you supply your printer with files they can use. Remember that if you are ever in doubt, just ask for a digital proof so that you can catch any errors before it’s too late.