Business cards, brochures, banners, photos, and other print mediums take up a portion of any marketing strategy. If your business requires digital printing services to take advantage of this advertising means, there are a few actions to take first. Preparing digital files for print helps ensure the professional results you need.

What Should I Do to Prepare My Files for Digital Printing?

Size Everything Correctly

Choose your file saving method before determining the print layout and size. Save your files as PDFs for excellent resolution, color, and font quality, or as TIF files for resolution without the compression. ESP files require embedding your links and fonts, while JGP files compress pixels for blurry results. Size your files so they match the desired outcome. If your digital printing project concerns postcards, for example, you don’t want a flyer file size. Also, be aware of the trim line as well as the live and bleed areas.

The live area is where all pertinent document information goes, while the bleed area prevents unprofessional-looking white lines around the edges. The trim line refers to the document’s finished size. Size the files so text and images are at least .25 inches away from the bleed or .125 away from the edge of the trim. It prevents results that look cut off.

Make Color & Resolution Adjustments

Keep in mind that how your images look on-screen are not necessarily how they will appear in print. Use a known printing standard to calibrate your monitor and therefore fix the color and brightness. Also switch to CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) color instead of the computer standard of RGB (red, green, and blue) to prevent digital printing “surprises.” CMYK provides a clearer idea of how your final result will look.

Adjust the resolution as well. If you are working with text, 300 PPI (pixels per square inch) will provide high-quality results. Use 72 PPI for web graphics and 300 DPI (dots per square inch) for images. InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator all feature resolution settings for clean results, no matter which program you use. 

Work with the digital printing masters at Miller Quik Print to create a wide range of marketing materials. The commercial printing service works with businesses of all sizes in Onalaska, WI, and the surrounding areas, including La Crosse, Alma, Viroqua, and Winona. Call the family-owned printing company today at (608) 781-9465 or learn more about low-cost, high-quality digital printing services online.