Question
How do I prepare my poster file for printing?
Answer
A print-ready poster file comes down to a handful of settings that keep your colors accurate and your edges clean. Get these right before you export and the file will reproduce on press exactly the way it looks on screen.
- Color mode: build in CMYK, not RGB. RGB files shift toward duller, less predictable colors once they hit a press.
- Resolution: 300 DPI at the final print size keeps photos, gradients, and small text sharp.
- Bleed: extend any background color or image 0.125" past the trim on all sides so no white slivers appear after cutting.
- Safe margin: pull important text and logos at least 0.25" in from the trim edge so nothing gets clipped.
- File format: export a flattened, print-ready PDF to lock your fonts, spacing, and colors in place.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Color mode | CMYK |
| Resolution | 300 DPI at final size |
| Bleed | 0.125" all sides |
| Safe zone | 0.25" from trim |
| File type | Print-ready PDF |
Ready to order?
Get your standard posters printed at 4OVER4
