Ask An Expert: How to Prepare Your File for Printing | Pel Hughes

Question:	What are the most common types of documents people send in for printing?
Answer:	PDF documents! We ask that all documents submitted for printing be in this format.
Question:	What type of file should I submit materials in for printing?
Answer:	We suggest submitting either a PDF, packaged InDesign, or packaged Illustrator file.
Question:	Why is this file type important?
Answer:	The PDF file is the single most common file used for printing, and that makes it pretty important! “PDF” is an acronym for “portable document format,” and it really lives up to its name. When a .pdf file is made, it combines all separate elements of the document (fonts, graphics, etc.) into one single file. This eliminates the need to copy fonts and links and alleviates concerns about file incompatibilities that might result from different software or operating systems. In a nutshell, PDF files make moving documents between devices easy and minimizes mistakes.
Question:	How do you convert a file to PDF?
Answer:	Easy! Here’s a guide to all the ways of saving a file as a PDF from various programs:

Windows

Choose File > Save as…
Set Format to Photoshop PDF
Set Color to Use Proof Setup: Working CMYK
Click Save

Mac

Choose File > Save as…
Set Format to Photoshop PDF
Set Color to Use Proof Setup: Working CMYK
Click Save

Windows

Choose File > Export…
Set Type to Adobe PDF
Click Save

Mac

Choose File > Export…
Set Type to Adobe PDF
Click Save

Windows

Choose File > Save as…
Set Format to Photoshop PDF
Set Color to Use Proof Setup: Working CMYK
Click Save

Mac

Choose File > Save as…
Set Format to Photoshop PDF
Set Color to Use Proof Setup: Working CMYK
Click Save

Windows

Choose File > Export… > Layout as PDF…
Set Page to All
Set PDF Style to EPC Export PDF
Click Save

Mac

Choose File > Export… > Layout as PDF…
Set Page to All
Click Options
Set PDF Style to Press – High Quality
Click OK
Click Save

Windows

Choose File > Save As…
Set Type to Adobe PDF
Click Save

Windows

Click the Office button
Choose Save As > Adobe PDF
Set Type as PDF Files
Click Save

Mac

Choose File > Save as…
Set Format to PDF
Click Publish

Windows

Choose File > Publish as PDF
Set Type to PDF
Click Publish

Mac

Choose File > Export…
Click on the PDF tab
Set Image Quality to Best
Click Next
Click Export

Mac

Choose File > Print
Choose Save as PDF
Click Save

Question:	What are the most common mistakes people make when preparing a file for print at Pel Hughes?
Answer:	Submitting incorrectly sized documents. Usually this is due to not including the all important “1/8” bleed” (not keeping important design elements within a 1/8” safety margin from cut edge) Including graphic elements below 300dpi
Question:	What makes this process easy and painfree at Pel Hughes in comparison to other printing companies?
Answer:	At Pel Hughes, we’ll take in any file (even though PDF is preferred) and check to see if we’re able to print from it. If we’re not, we’ll send over some best practices/options/ways to change your file to make it the way we need it. If you’re unable to make those changes and we can make them in house, we’ll send pricing for options that we can do here.