File Preparation

FILE PREPARATION

File Prep 101

Getting your files ready for print doesn't have to be complicated. Follow these simple guidelines to help your project look its best and move smoothly into production.

START HERE

Prepare Your Artwork With Confidence

Understanding a few fundamentals — including image resolution, CMYK color, bleeds, fonts, and line widths — can help prevent common production issues and make the printing process smoother.

Explore the topics below to learn the basics before sending your artwork to Edison Press.

FILE PREP BASICS

Start With These Essential Topics

Each topic covers an important part of preparing artwork for professional printing.

Image Resolution

Learn why image resolution matters and how properly sized, high-resolution artwork helps prevent images from appearing soft or pixelated in print.

CMYK Color Mode

Understand the CMYK color process used in commercial printing and why artwork prepared for print may look different from RGB artwork viewed on a screen.

Bleeds, Cut Line & Safety Margin

Learn how bleed, trim, and safety areas work together to help ensure backgrounds reach the finished edge while important content remains safely inside the cut.

Borders With Bleeds

Understand the special considerations involved when placing borders near the trim edge of a printed piece, especially when the artwork includes bleed.

Fonts & Transparency

Learn how fonts, transparency, and other design elements can affect production and what to consider when preparing final artwork.

Fonts & Text Point Sizes

Make sure important text remains readable by understanding appropriate type sizes and how small text can reproduce during the printing process.

Line Width

Very thin rules and design elements can become difficult to reproduce consistently. Learn what to consider when using fine lines in your artwork.

File Prep — A Simple Overview

Review the major file preparation basics in one place before submitting artwork for production.

DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCE

Keep the File Prep Guide Handy

Download our File Prep Guide for a convenient reference covering resolution, color, bleeds, fonts, packaged files, templates, wide-format graphics, and more.

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BEFORE YOU SEND YOUR FILE

A Quick Artwork Checklist

Artwork is built at the correct finished size.
Images are high resolution.
Color is prepared appropriately for printing.
Bleed is included where artwork reaches the trim edge.
Important text and graphics are inside the safety area.
Fonts and linked artwork are properly included or embedded.
NOT SURE YOUR FILE IS READY?

We're Happy to Help Before You Print

If you have questions about your artwork or aren't sure whether your file is ready for production, contact the Edison Press team before submitting your project.

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