File preparation essentials for graphic designers and marketing professionals
Master the technical rules of print design. Learn file specs, bleed requirements, color formulas, and the top mistakes that delay production.
Print this 12-page guide and keep it at your desk. Share with your team. This is the resource you'll reference every time you prepare files for print—a quick lookup for specs, formulas, and solutions to common problems.
Print this 12-page guide. Use code GUIDE20 for 20% off any print order at 360printstudio.com
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| Product | Finished Size | Bleed / Safe Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Business Cards | 3.5×2" | 1/8" / 1/8" |
| Postcards | 4×6, 4×9, 5×7, 5.5×8.5, 6×9, 6×11 | 1/8" / 1/8" |
| Flyers | 8.5×5.5, 8.5×11, 11×17 | 1/8" / 1/8" |
| Brochures | 8.5×11, 11×17 (folded) | 1/8" / 1/8" |
| Bookmarks | 8×2, 8.5×2.5 | 1/8" / 1/8" |
| Presentation Folders | Custom (4-pocket) | 1/8" / 1/8" |
| Booklets | 5.5×8.5, 8.5×11 | 1/8" / 1/8" |
| Door Hangers | 8.5×3.5 | 1/8" / 1/8" |
| Envelopes | #10 (4.125×9.5) | 1/8" / 1/8" |
| Greeting Cards | 8.5×5.5, 8.5×11, 10×7 | 1/8" / 1/8" |
Standard stock: All 360 Print Studio products use 16PT cardstock unless otherwise specified. Color mode: CMYK. Format: PDF preferred.
Every file you submit must follow these four rules. No exceptions.
All images must be 300 DPI minimum. 72 DPI web images will print pixelated and blurry. When in doubt, higher is better—we scale down, never up.
Always convert to CMYK before submitting. RGB files will print colors you didn't design. RGB blues print purple. RGB reds print orange. CMYK is the language of print.
Submit as PDF, preferably PDF/X-1a (print-optimized). This format locks down fonts and colors, preventing last-minute surprises on press.
All fonts must be embedded in the PDF or converted to outlines. Unembedded fonts will substitute, changing your design.
Every file is reviewed before it reaches the press. If something doesn't meet these specs, we'll catch it and ask for a revision—no delays, no surprises.
Setup specs apply by SIZE, not by product.
A 5.5×8.5 postcard and a 5.5×8.5 flyer use the exact same file setup rules. Same bleed. Same safe zone. Same DPI and color mode.
Many designers ask for "postcard specs" or "flyer specs" as if they're different. They're not. What matters is the final size. A 5.5×8.5 print is a 5.5×8.5 print, regardless of what you call it.
Find your finished size in the Product Specs table (Page 3). Use those dimensions and those bleed/safe zone rules. You're done.
Bleed is the extra area (1/8") beyond the trim line. Include it on everything—business cards, postcards, booklets, brochures, all of it. Bleed prevents white edges from showing if the trim is slightly off-center, which is normal on a press.
Bleed applies to both. No exceptions.
Design inside the safe zone. Images can extend to bleed.
Trim isn't always perfectly centered. A 1/8" safe zone ensures your critical content (company name, phone number, logo) won't get clipped if the trim shifts.
Rule of thumb: If it's important, it goes in the safe zone. Everything else can bleed.
Both pages must have the same top orientation.
Pages are numbered and positioned as if the piece is folded. Use these abbreviations:
Wrong orientation = back side prints upside down. Verify orientation with your design software's preview or ask your designer before submitting.
CMYK is the four-color printing process: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black. RGB is light-based and doesn't translate to print.
RGB blues print purple. RGB reds print orange. Convert to CMYK before submitting.
Text black (K100) is pure black for fine details. Rich black is for large areas—it's deeper and richer than K100 alone.
White text is prone to misregistration (slight color shifts during printing). Minimize risk:
When in doubt about color accuracy, ask your designer or contact us before submitting.
Font choice affects perception and readability.
Fonts must be embedded or outlined in your PDF. If fonts aren't embedded, they'll substitute with a generic font, changing your design.
Most design software (Adobe, Affinity, CorelDraw) has a built-in option: "Embed fonts in PDF" or "Convert to outlines." Enable it before exporting.
A design with the wrong font is like a painting with the wrong colors. Don't let fonts derail your work—embed them.
Finish affects how your design feels and looks. Choose based on your use case and audience.
Elegant, professional, writable. Best for: business cards, letterhead, documents. Colors are subtle and sophisticated. Ink sits on the surface, making it easy to write on. No gloss or shine.
Bold, vibrant, attention-grabbing. Best for: postcards, brochures, photography-heavy pieces. High-impact colors with a protective UV coating. Reflective surface. Premium feel.
Premium, sophisticated, photography-friendly. Best for: catalogs, portfolios, high-end brochures. Subtle sheen without the glare of gloss. Perfect for color photography.
Standard stock: All 360 Print Studio products use 16PT cardstock unless otherwise specified. This provides durability and professional feel across all product categories.
Your screen shows RGB—it's light-based. Print is CMYK—it's pigment-based. RGB blues print purple. RGB reds print orange. Convert to CMYK before submitting.
Web images are 72 DPI. Print requires 300 DPI minimum. Low-res images print pixelated and blurry. Always work at 300 DPI from the start.
Bleed (1/8" beyond trim) prevents white edges if the trim is off-center. Required on all products. Every product page lists the exact bleed requirement.
Text or logos placed within 1/8" of the trim line risk being clipped. Use the safe zone for everything critical. Bleed is for images only.
Unembedded fonts substitute with generic fonts, changing your design. Before exporting to PDF, enable "Embed fonts" or "Convert to outlines."
Double-sided work requires correct page orientation. Page 1 and Page 2 must have the same top (for flat work). Folded work follows specific page numbering (OFC, OBC, etc.).
Every file is reviewed before press. If we catch an error, we'll ask for a revision. No surprises, no wasted inventory.
You now have the technical knowledge to prepare files like a pro. Follow these specs. Check your work. Submit with confidence.
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Every file is reviewed before it reaches the press. We catch errors so you don't. Trust the process.