Ever heard of Print Ready (or Press Ready) files? It’s the magic formula for flawless, hassle-free printing! A print-ready file meets all the specs needed to produce a perfect print without adjustments.

Every day, we receive artwork that’s not quite up to scratch. Don’t worry – we’re on it! Thanks to our eagle-eyed production team, we’ve developed smart processes and software to spot common issues before they hit the press.

We’re flexible with our printing, but print-ready rules are set in stone! To ensure the best possible print, make sure your artwork follows our golden guidelines:

What Makes a File Print-Ready?

✅ Correct Size: Ensure your artwork matches the required dimensions.
✅ 3mm Bleed: Keep bleed on all sides to prevent cutting mishaps.
✅ CMYK Colour Mode: Convert all RGB/Spot/Pantone colours to CMYK. We’ll convert them if needed, but slight colour variations may occur.
✅ Safe Zone: Keep all critical text at least 4mm inside the trim area so nothing gets chopped!
✅ High-Resolution Images (300dpi): Blurry prints? No thanks! Keep your images crisp and clear.
✅ Embedded Images & Fonts: No missing elements—ensure everything is embedded.
✅ Single Pages, Not Spreads: Multi-page files should be supplied as a single PDF.
✅ No Mixed Jobs in One File: Each job should have its own file—no jumbling different artworks into one PDF.
✅ 100% Black for Black Text: Avoid CMYK mixes—pure black is the way to go!
✅ No Registration Black, Ever! Seriously, just don’t.
✅ White Text Not Set to Overprint: Otherwise, it will disappear into oblivion!

Need Help? We’ve Got Your Back!

Yes, this list looks a bit intense—but don’t panic! Our expert production team is always happy to check files for you. Some fixes are easy, others take time and may incur a small charge. Either way, we’ll make sure you get the best print possible.

For top-quality results, we always recommend professional design services. Our in-house design studio, Creative Zoo, is staffed by degree-qualified graphic designers who know their stuff. With years of hands-on training and print experience, they’ll ensure your artwork is picture-perfect every time.

At Print Zoo, we’re obsessed with print perfection. We won’t knowingly print a file that’s not up to scratch because your brand deserves the best. Got questions? Want to check your file? Give us a call on 028 9046 0043 or pop into our production hub at 95 Castlereagh Street, Belfast, BT5 4NF. Let’s get printing!