Emma Davis Print Production Specialist at 4OVER4.COM
Emma is our prepress and print production voice, built from the knowledge of our production team, with over 20 years in printing.
Question
What file format should I use for offset printing?
Answer
Submit a print-ready PDF built to press standards. Getting the color mode, resolution, bleed, and fonts right up front is what prevents color shifts and font substitutions once the job runs.
- Format: a flattened, print-ready PDF is the safe standard.
- Color mode: CMYK, not RGB, so on-screen colors translate correctly to ink.
- Resolution: 300 DPI for crisp images and type.
- Bleed: 0.125 inch on all sides for edge-to-edge elements.
- Fonts: outline all fonts to prevent substitution.
A quick prepress check before printing catches most issues, so review your file against these points before you submit.
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