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
How can I create a print ready PDF file in Adobe Illustrator?
Answer
Adobe Illustrator exports clean, print-ready PDFs when you set up the document and export options correctly. Adobe offers a thorough guide on the process, and the essentials below cover what matters most for a file that prints as designed.
- Set up bleed in the document: add 1/8 inch bleed under File and Document Setup before you export.
- Work in CMYK: choose CMYK color mode so your colors match the press.
- Outline your fonts: converting type to outlines prevents any font substitution at the printer.
- Export with a press preset: save as PDF using a high-quality or press-quality setting with marks and bleed included.
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