Whether you’re supplying your own artwork or reviewing a proof prepared by Cedar River Ink, following these guidelines helps ensure your project prints accurately and avoids unnecessary delays or reprints.
Print-Ready File Checklist
Before uploading your artwork, verify that it meets the following requirements:
- Delete any hidden or non-printing layers that are not intended to appear in the final product.
- Submit your project as a single PDF whenever possible. Multi-page projects should be combined into one PDF with all pages in the correct order.
- Ensure the document is created at the finished trim size with all pages the same dimensions.
- Verify the file orientation (portrait or landscape) matches the intended final product.
- Include 1/8” (.125”) bleed on all sides for artwork extending to the edge.
- Keep all important text, logos, and critical design elements at least 1/8” (.125”) inside the trim line. Additional margin is encouraged whenever possible.
- Avoid borders close to the edge of the page, as normal trimming tolerances may cause them to appear uneven.
- Use high-resolution images (300 DPI at final print size).
- Convert artwork to CMYK color mode unless your project specifically requires RGB or spot (PMS) colors.
- Use 100% Black (K100) for small black text.
- For large solid black areas, use a rich black such as C30 M20 Y20 K100.
- Embed or outline all fonts before exporting your PDF.
- Double-check spelling, phone numbers, email addresses, website URLs, and other variable information before submitting your file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our preferred format is a high-quality PDF. We also accept many native design files, including Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and other common formats. Additional file preparation charges may apply depending on the condition of the artwork.
No problem. We can often make minor corrections or prepare your file for production. More extensive edits, layout changes, or design work may require additional artwork or prepress charges. We will let you know before any billable work is performed.
Bleed is the portion of your artwork that extends beyond the finished trim size. It ensures that colors and images print completely to the edge without unwanted white borders caused by normal trimming variations.
For most printed products, artwork intended to print to the edge should extend 1/8” (.125”) beyond the final trim size on all sides.
Commercial printing and trimming have normal manufacturing tolerances. Keeping important text and logos at least 1/8” (.125”) inside the trim line helps prevent important content from appearing too close to the edge or being trimmed unexpectedly.
Even with precise equipment, slight trimming variations are normal. Borders placed close to the edge often make these variations more noticeable, causing one side of the border to appear thicker than another.
Every monitor, phone, and tablet displays color differently. Printed products are produced using CMYK inks, while most screens display RGB colors.
Paper type, coating, lighting, and printer calibration can also affect the final appearance. While we strive for consistent, high-quality color reproduction, exact color matches cannot be guaranteed unless specific color-matching services are requested.
Yes. Printed proofs are available for many products upon request. Additional charges and production time may apply depending on the product and quantity.
If color accuracy or final appearance is critical, we strongly recommend requesting a printed proof before full production.
A digital proof is provided so you can review the overall layout, spelling, graphics, positioning, and other content before production begins.
Digital proofs are not color-accurate representations of the final printed product.
Please carefully verify:
- Spelling and grammar
- Names and titles
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Website URLs
- Dates and times
- Pricing
- Mailing addresses
- Image placement
- Overall layout
- Quantity (if shown)
- Fold locations (if applicable)
- Page order (for multi-page projects)
Taking a few extra minutes to review your proof can prevent costly mistakes.
By approving your proof, you confirm that all artwork, text, layout, and other content are correct and authorize Cedar River Ink to begin production.
Once production has started, changes generally cannot be made.
Customers are responsible for reviewing all proofs carefully before approval. Cedar River Ink is not responsible for spelling, grammar, layout, or other content errors that were present on an approved proof.
Reprints required because of customer-approved errors will be treated as a new order and billed accordingly.
We perform a basic preflight review to identify obvious production issues, such as missing bleed, low-resolution images, or font problems.
Our review is not a comprehensive proofreading or fact-checking service. Customers are responsible for verifying all text, images, and content before approving their proof.
Still have questions?
We are happy to help.
If you are unsure whether your artwork is ready for print or have questions about your proof, contact us before approving your order. We are here to help make sure your project looks its best.
