Nadia Petrov Customer Education Lead at 4OVER4.COM
Nadia is our customer education voice, built from the knowledge of our production team, with over 20 years in printing.
Question
What is the difference between a proof and print-ready files?
Answer
A proof and a print-ready file serve two different purposes. A proof is a downsized file your graphic designer sends so you can review the design easily on screen. A print-ready file is the final artwork, prepared to the specs required to go to press. A printer needs print-ready files to proceed with production.
| Proof | Print-ready file |
|---|---|
| Downsized for quick, easy review | Final file used to produce the job |
| For checking design, text, and layout | Must meet full production requirements below |
A print-ready file needs to be:
- Set in CMYK color mode
- Built with the correct bleed
- High resolution
- The correct final size
- For items with dies, such as custom shapes, include a vector-format die line
Files that are not print-ready can lead to quality issues or improper cuts, so it is worth getting the file right up front.
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