Question
Do I need to send a print-ready PDF or can I just send a standard PDF?
Answer
Standard PDFs are not print-ready. A PDF exported with default or on-screen settings can carry low-resolution images and RGB colors that print poorly, and it may be missing the bleed a press needs. A print-ready PDF is built specifically for commercial printing, so it reproduces your design as intended.
- Print-ready means high resolution: images should be 300 dpi at final size so nothing looks soft or pixelated.
- Include bleed and marks: export with 1/8 inch bleed so backgrounds reach the trimmed edge.
- Use CMYK color: convert to CMYK before export so colors do not shift unexpectedly.
- Embed your fonts: embedding or outlining type keeps your layout from reflowing on our end.
| Setting | Standard PDF | Print-ready PDF |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Often low | 300 dpi at size |
| Color | Usually RGB | CMYK |
| Bleed | None | 1/8 inch each side |
| Fonts | May be missing | Embedded or outlined |
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