A GUIDE TO
Creating Print-Ready Files
Our People.
Your Vision.
Let’s Create.
What is a
Print-Ready File?
A print-ready file allows a printer
to produce your project quickly
and efficiently.
At Kopytek, we utilize a
pdf workflow. The following
pages will show you how to
create a print-ready pdf
from the most commonly used
design programs.
If you have any questions, or
need further assistance with a
program not listed, please call
our knowledgeable staff at
314.432.2700.
www.kopytek.com
HOW TO
Create Print-Ready PDFs
In Adobe Illustrator..............................4
In Adobe InDesign................................6
In Adobe Photoshop............................8
Common Printing Vocabulary................10
Common Layouts...............................13
HP Indigo 7600
Creating print-ready pdfs
Adobe Illustrator CC
1. First, convert all text to outlines.
Select All
Type Create outlines
2. File Save as. Set format to Adobe PDF. Click Save (img. A).
3. Start with the High Quality Print Adobe PDF preset. Make sure you
settings match the screen shots that follow (img. B-D) The last four tabs
can be left with default settings.
4. Click Save PDF (img. D)
A.
B.
4
Creating print-ready pdfs
Adobe Illustrator CC
C.
D.
5
Creating print-ready pdfs
Adobe InDesign CC
1. File Export. Set format to Adobe PDF. Click Save (img. A)
2. Start with the High Quality Print Adobe PDF preset. Make sure you
settings match the screen shots that follow (img. B-D) The last four tabs
can be left with default settings.
3. Click Export (img. D)
A.
B.
6
Creating print-ready pdfs
Adobe InDesign CC
C.
D.
7
Creating print-ready pdfs
Adobe Photoshop CC
To Save a Print-Ready PDF
High resolution PDF with bleeds
*Because Photoshop is unable to create pdfs with crops and bleeds,
remember to build in the bleed to the canvas size (create your page size at
In Photoshop
least .125" larger in all directions than your finished piece).
*Remember to create
1. Make yourfile
sure the page
is insize
CMYKat least .125” larger in all directions than your finished piec
mode.
Image Mode CMYK color
1. Make sure your file is in CMYK mode.
2. Flatten your design.
ImageModeCMYK colorIn the layers palette drop down menu (img. A), click
Flatten Image.
3. Image
2. Flatten your design.
SaveInas.
theSet
layers palette
format drop downPDF.
to Photoshop menu, click
Click Flatten
Save (img.Image
B). (img. A).
4. Start with the High Quality Print Adobe PDF Preset. Make sure your
3. FileSave as. Set
settings format
match theto Photoshop
screen PDF. follow
shots that Click Save
(img.(img.
C-D).B).
The last three tabs
(not shown) can be left with default settings.
3. Start with the High Quality Print Adobe PDF Preset. Make sure your settings match the screen
5. Click Save PDF (img. D)
that follow (img. C-D). The last 3 tabs (not shown) can be left with default settings.
4. Click Save PDF (img. D)
drop down menu
A.
B.
8
Creating print-ready pdfs
Adobe Photoshop CC
C.
D.
9
Creating print-ready pdfs
Common Vocabulary – A few helpful hints and terms
What is a PDF?
PDF is an acronym for Portable Document Format and is the standard for the
secure and reliable distribution and exchange of electronic documents. A PDF
is a universal file format that preserves the fonts, images, graphics, and layout
of any source document, regardless of the application and platform used to
create it. Adobe PDF files are compact and complete, and can be shared,
viewed and printed by anyone with free Adobe Reader software.
What types of images will reproduce well for print?
All images used in a project should be high-resolution raster or vector files. If
you are scanning the images yourself from photographs, set the resolution to
at least 300dpi (dots per inch). It is not advisable to 'lift' images from websites.
Most of the images are set at a web resolution of 72dpi, which isn't high
enough for print and the images may appear blurry or pixelated when printed.
What is a raster image?
A raster image, also called a bitmap, is a way to represent digital images. It
can be created in a wide variety of formats, including the familiar .gif, .jpg, and
.bmp. The image is represented in a series of bits of information that translate
into pixels on the screen. These pixels form points of color that create an
overall finished image.
When a raster image is created, the image on the screen is converted into
pixels. Each pixel is assigned a specific value that determines its color. This
format uses the red, green, blue (RGB) color system. An RGB value of 0,0,0
would be black, and the values go all the way through to 256 for each color,
allowing the expression of a wide range of values. In photographs with subtle
shading, this can be extremely valuable.
When the image is viewed, the pixels usually smooth out visually for the user,
who sees a photograph or drawing. When blown up, however, the individual
dots of color become apparent. While this effect is sometimes a deliberate
choice on the part of an artist, it is usually not desired. Depending on
resolution, some images can be enlarged to very large sizes, while others
quickly become difficult to see.
What is a vector image?
A vector image uses a mathematical formula to draw a picture. A vector
image defines points and the paths that connect them to form a digital
representation of the image. Because mathematics can be easily scaled,
this type can be enlarged but still have smooth edges. Their use is limited,
10
Creating print-ready pdfs
Common Vocabulary – A few helpful hints and terms
however, and they are most suitable for typography, line art, and illustrations.
A raster image usually remains the best choice for a photograph or
shaded drawing.
Will my printed piece look exactly like it does on my
computer screen?
There will be some differences. Scanners and digital cameras create images
using combinations of just three colors: red, green and blue (called RGB).
These are the colors that computers use to display images on your screen.
Four-color printing presses print full-color pictures using a different set of
colors: cyan, magenta, yellow and black (called CMYK). RGB images need to
be converted to CMYK before printing. This is easily done using an image
editing program like Adobe Photoshop. Kopytek cannot be responsible for
undesirable results if you furnish low-resolution or RGB images. It is also
important to remember that all monitors may show colors differently
depending on the monitor's quality and calibration.
Be aware that it is possible to make colors in RGB that cannot be reproduced
exactly in CMYK. It is best to select any colors used for a project using CMYK
definitions instead of RGB.
Spot colors are also commonly used in printed projects.
What are spot colors?
A spot color is a specially mixed ink that is applied on the press, as opposed
to a mix of the four-color process colors. Spot colors can be produced in a
more vibrant range of colors, and can have special characteristics which aren't
available in process inks, such as neon or metallic ink. Kopytek uses the
Pantone Matching System (PMS) for producing spot colors. Each PMS color
has a unique number and formula for ink mixing.
* It is important to note that if a project designed using spot colors is
converted to CMYK, some color shifting will occur. Refer to the Pantone
Bridge color books to make sure the spot colors chosen will reproduce closely
when converted to CMYK.
What is a bleed?
Bleed area is the extra (usually 1/8") of color beyond the finished size of your
printed piece. It allows us to print your piece oversized and cut it down to size,
thereby giving the appearance that the printing bleeds off the edge of the
page, rather than having white borders. Because cutting may vary slightly, it is
a good idea to make sure all of your valuable information (ie. text) is within the
"safe design zone" (at least 1/8" inside the finished area.
11
For example, a standard business card measures 3.5 x 2 inches. When creating your design file, create
the page size equal to the printed size of your piece (3.5 x 2). Extend any color that you want to bleed off
the page at least .125 inches past your page size. Make sure to save the file as a .PDF with crops and
Creating print-ready pdfs
bleeds.
Common
What is a Crop Mark? Vocabulary – A few helpful hints and terms
Crop marks are marks placed at the corners of a page to indicate where the page is to be trimmed.
crop marks finished size of
business card
3.5 x 2 inches
“safe zone”
bleed area 3.25 x 1.75 inches
3.75 x 2.25 inches
4
For example, a standard business card measures 3.5"x 2". When creating
your design file, create the page size equal to the printed size of your piece
(3.5"x 2"). Extend any color or image that you want to bleed off the page at
least .125" past your page size. Make sure to save the file as a high-resolution
PDF with crops and bleeds.
What is a crop mark?
Crop marks are the marks placed at the corners of a page to indicate where
the page is to be trimmed.
12
5” Postcard
Creating
t submit a PDF. If itprint-ready
is not a PDF, itpdfs
will not be accepted as a press-ready file. For more
ion refer to our PDF specifications. Double-sided postcards need to be a two-page PDF
eparateCommon Layouts
PDF documents clearly labeled in a manner that groups them together.
F document8.5"should be Postcard
x 5.5" a little larger than 8.75” x 5.75”. This is the size of the document
.5”) plus You
bleed and
must cropamarks.
submit high-resolution PDF with crops and bleeds. If it is not a
high-resolution PDF with crops and bleeds, it will not be accepted as a press-
ready file. For more information, refer to our PDF specifications for the
program you are working in.
hould be closer than .125” from the edge of the document.
Two-sided postcards need to be sent as a two-page PDF or two separate PDF
documents clearly labeled in a manner that groups them together.
shed postcard will be mailed, make sure it complies with current United States postal
No text should be closer than .125" from the edge of the document.
ns and has blank area for the address information and barcode (img. B).
If the finished postcard will be mailed, it must comply with current USPS
regulations and have a blank area for the address information and barcode
elow is for Presort
(img. B). Standard mail.
*Example below is for presort standard mail. Please refer to USPS.com/
guidelines for the latest regulations.
8.75”
8”
5”
5.75”
5.5”
A
8.5”
8.75”
8”
5”
5.75”
5.5”
UNITED STATES
POSTAL SERVICE
2.5”
REQUIRES THIS SPACE
TO BE LEFT BLANK.
Barcode Area
B 4”
8.5”
13
Creating print-ready pdfs
Common Layouts
8.5” x 11” Flyer
8.5"x 11" Sheet
You must submit a high-resolution PDF with crops and bleeds. If it is not a
You must submit a PDF. PDF
high-resolution If it iswith
not acrops
PDF, and
it willbleeds,
not be itaccepted
will not as
beaaccepted
press-readyas file. For more
a press-
information
readyrefer
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For PDF information,
specifications.refer
Double-sided
to our PDF flyers need to be for
specifications a two-page
the PDF or two
separateprogram you are clearly
PDF documents working in. in a manner that groups them together.
labeled
Two-sided sheets need to be sent as a two-page PDF or two separate PDF
documents
Your PDF documentclearly
shouldlabeled
be a littleinlarger
a manner
than that groups
11.25” them
x 8.75”. Thistogether.
is the size of the document
(11” x 8.5”)
Yourplus
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document willmarks.
be a little larger than 8.75"x11.25". This is the size of
the document (8.5"x 11") plus bleed and crop marks.
No text No
should
textbe closerbe
should than .25” than
closer from.25"
the edge
fromof theedge
the document.
of the document (safe zone).
8.75”
8”
10.5”
11”
11.25”
8.5”
14
Creating print-ready pdfs
Common Layouts
ri-Panel Brochure
Tri-Panel Brochure
You must submit a PDF. If it is not a PDF, it will not be accepted as a press-ready file. For more
You must submit a high-resolution PDF with crops and bleeds. If it is not a
information refer to our PDF
high-resolution PDF specifications.
with crops andDouble-sided brochures
bleeds, it will need to be
not be accepted as aa two-page
press- PDF or
readyPDF
two separate file.documents
For more information, refer
clearly labeled in atomanner
our PDF specifications
that groups themfor the
together.
program you are working in.
Your PDFTwo-sided
documentsheets
shouldneed
be a to belarger
little sent as a two-page
than PDF This
11.25” x 8.75”. or two separate
is the size ofPDF
the document
documents clearly labeled in a manner that groups them together.
(11” x 8.5”) plus bleed and crop marks.
Your PDF document will be a little larger than 11.25"x 8.75". This is the size of
the document (11"x 8.5") plus bleed and crop marks.
No text should be closer than .25” from the edge of the document.
No text should be closer than .25" from the edge of the document (safe zone).
A minimum of .125” of
A minimum should
.125"beshould
left onbe
both
leftsides of the
on both folds.
sides on the folds.
11.25”
3.667”
3.25” 3.25” 3.25”
8” 8” 8”
8.5”
8.75”
Inside Flap Back Front
11”
11.25”
3.667”
3.25” 3.25” 3.25”
8” 8” 8”
8.5”
8.75”
Inside Left Inside Center Inside Right
11”
15
Creating print-ready pdfs
Common Layouts
Standard Business Card
You must submit a high-resolution PDF with crops and bleeds. If it is not a
high-resolution PDF with crops and bleeds, it will not be accepted as a
press-ready file. For more information, refer to our PDF specifications for
the program you are working in.
Two-sided sheets need to be sent as a two-page PDF or two separate PDF
Standard
documentsBusiness Card in a manner that groups them together.
clearly labeled
You must submit a PDF. If it is not a PDF, it will not be accepted as a press-ready file. For more
Your PDF document
information willspecifications.
refer to our PDF be a little larger thanbusiness
Double-sided 3.75"xcards2.25".
need This
to be aistwo-page
the sizePDF or
of two
theseparate
document (3.5"x 2") plus bleed and crop marks. For example,
PDF documents clearly labeled in a manner that groups them together. an
8.5"x 11" PDF document for a 3.5"x 2" business card is not considered a
print-ready file.
Your PDF document should be a little larger than 3.75” x 2.25”. This is the size of the document
Noincluding
text orbleed and crop
images marks.be
should For closer
example,than
an 8.5” x 11” PDF
.125" fromdocument
the edgefor a 3.75”
of thex 2.25” card
document
would
(safe not meet
zone) specifications.
except Safe image
items that area is 3.25”
intentionally x 1.75”.off
bleed Nothing (except items that bleed)
the document.
should be closer than .125 from the edge of the finished size (3.5” x 2”).
3.75”
3.25”
2”
1.75” 2.25”
3.5”
Card with guides
Finished card
John M. Peterson John M. Peterson
President President
9595 Dielman Rock Island • St. Louis, MO 63132 9595 Dielman Rock Island • St. Louis, MO 63132
314.432.2700 • F 314.993.5679 • C 314.503.3506 314.432.2700 • F 314.993.5679 • C 314.503.3506
[email protected] • www.kopytek.com [email protected] • www.kopytek.com
16
Now you are
Ready to Upload!
Please upload your final files
(print-ready pdfs or packaged
and compressed folders) to our
secure web server which can be
found at kopytek.com.
Registration is easy and your
files may be stored on the web
server for as long as you need.
If you have any questions, or
need further assistance with a
registering for a web server
account, please call our
knowledgeable staff at
314.432.2700.
www.kopytek.com
Our People.
Your Vision.
Let’s Create.
We invite you
to experience
the Kopytek
Difference today!
9595 Dielman Rock Island | St. Louis, MO 63132
314.432.2700 | www.kopytek.com
www.kopytek.com
