Submitting Files for Print: 4 Tips for Optimal Results 

Submitting files for print while exciting can feel daunting. Print, unlike digital advertising and marketing mediums, is a little less forgiving. While it is easy to make alterations and corrections to web pages and social media posts, a mistake with printing could make thousands of pieces of collateral unusable. Fortunately, the printing pros at Pel Hughes have your back. Consider the following tips before you finalize your latest print project.

4 Tips for Submitting Files for Print

#1 Proofread Your Materials Thoroughly 

Imagine that your business is about to launch a large direct mail campaign. One small mistake could cost your enterprise potential customers. Take this nightmare scenario, for example: Your direct mail campaign lists the wrong phone number. Just one misplaced numeral in a phone number could render your campaign ineffective when potential customers attempt to respond to your mailer.

Proofreading before submitting files for print is of the utmost importance. We recommend performing multiple rounds of proofreading at various stages of your campaign’s development. It’s also important to have more than one person proofreading because tiny errors—like an incorrect e-mail address or phone number—can easily go unnoticed.

#2 Ensure Your Print Files are Clean 

Before you submit a file for print, take a thorough look at all the objects within a file and its borders. “Unclean” files could affect the software printers use. You could also have unused graphics, icons, and text in your borders that weren’t properly deleted during the design process. Meticulous attention to detail can help prevent a host of problems during the printing process.

#3 Brush Up on Printing Vernacular 

The printing industry utilizes very specific vernacular. When communicating with your printer, be sure to do your best to use proper terminology and ask questions to ensure that you and your printing professional are on the same page. Our “Quick Guide to Understanding Printing Lingo” is a great place to start. Communication is highly important so that your print provider can fulfill your needs. For more tips on communicating with your printing company, check out this blog post.

#4 Know that File Size and Type Matters 

Whenever possible, print-ready PDFs are best for ensuring minimal issues during the printing process. We recommend discussing file size and type with your printer before sending finalized files to ensure that your campaign avoids time-consuming or costly hiccups. For example, your final file size should take bleeds into consideration. In the printing world, a “bleed” refers to your piece’s background extending past its borders to ensure that no unsightly breaks appear on your final printed piece.

Pel Hughes is a full-service printing company dedicated to delivering excellent client service. Our friendly experts are here to help you make the most of your print campaigns. For questions or to request a quote, give our team a call at (504) 486-8646.