Familiarity has a strange effect. The more times you've done something, the more confident you feel, and the easier it becomes to skip a step without noticing. Print file prep is a classic case. Every project has its own quirks, but the core requirements stay consistent from job to job. A checklist is what keeps those requirements from slipping through the cracks, and it's something the team at Schreur Printing recommends to every client sending us files.
Here are seven things worth checking before you hit submit.
1. Reach Out to Schreur Printing Before You Start
Even on a job type you've handled many times before, a quick message goes a long way: "Anything specific I should know before I begin?" Specs shift, materials differ, and a short conversation up front with our team costs a lot less than a reprint down the line.
2. Get the File Format Right From the Start
Submit in the correct format the first time. Most jobs call for a print-ready PDF. The wrong file type slows things down and can throw off output quality.
3. Check That Resolution Is Where It Needs to Be
Standard print work needs images at 300 dpi. Premium pieces, like catalogs or coffee table books, often need more. Wide format printing plays by different rules entirely, since the right resolution there depends on how big the piece is and how far away people will view it. When in doubt, ask Schreur Printing before you finalize anything.
4. Make Sure Your Color Mode Is CMYK
Convert files to CMYK before sending them our way. RGB images have to be converted before they go to press, and that shift can change colors in ways you didn't intend. Working in CMYK from the beginning keeps the final result closer to what you designed.
5. Nail Down Bleeds and Margins
For designs that run to the edge of the page, crop marks need to show the correct trim. Finished pieces get cut down from a larger sheet after printing, so margins that are even slightly off can mean losing content you meant to keep.
6. Embed Your Fonts or Outline Your Text
A missing font triggers a substitution that can quietly reshape an entire design. Embed every font in the file, or convert text to outlines before you submit.
7. Flatten the File Before You Export
Multiple layers in your design software need to be flattened before export. Skip this step and you risk transparency issues and stray visual artifacts once the file reaches production.
This covers the basics, though it's not a complete list. Read through submission guidelines closely, and reach out any time something's unclear. A little extra care on your end helps the whole job move faster once it's in our hands at Schreur Printing.