What is a pre-flight check in printing?

A pre-flight check is a final inspection of a print file before it goes to press. It confirms the file is at the right size, has bleed, uses high-resolution CMYK images, has fonts embedded and is exported in a print-ready format, so problems are caught before plates are made or paper is printed.

What makes a file print-ready?

A print-ready file is set up at the finished size with 3mm bleed, keeps important content 5mm inside the trim, uses 300dpi CMYK images, has all fonts embedded and is exported as a PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 with crop marks. It can go to press without further changes.

Do you check my artwork as well?

Yes. Fretwell's pre-press team checks resolution, bleed, colour profiles, font embedding and trapping on every supplied file, and will contact you before production if anything needs attention. The checklist helps you avoid delays by catching problems first.

Is the checklist free?

Yes. The PDF is free to download and print, with no sign-up required.

What if my artwork doesn't meet the checklist?

Send it anyway and tell us what you are unsure about. Under our terms, the client is responsible for supplying print-ready artwork, but we may make minor technical adjustments such as colour conversion, and any material changes are agreed with you first.

Print Artwork Checklist: Free Pre-flight PDF

Quick answer

Before you send artwork to a printer, check that the file is at the finished trim size, has 3mm bleed on every trimmed edge, keeps text and logos 5mm inside the trim, uses images at 300dpi at placed size in CMYK, has all fonts embedded, and is exported as a PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 with crop marks and bleed. Folded, bound and mailed pieces also need checking against the printer's template. Download our free one-page pre-flight checklist below and tick each item off before you send.

Key takeaways

Run the checklist on the final PDF you are sending, not on the design file, because export settings can drop bleed or fonts.
The five areas to check are document set-up, images and colour, text and fonts, folds and binding, and export.
Fretwell's specification is 3mm bleed, a 5mm safe area, 300dpi images, embedded fonts and PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4.
Finishes such as spot UV and foil need their own layer or file, agreed with the printer before you export.
The checklist is free to download and print, with no sign-up. Our pre-press team still checks every file before production.

Download the pre-flight checklist

This page is the short, tickable version of our artwork set-up advice. Print the PDF, keep it by your screen and work through it with the final file open. If any item is unfamiliar, our guide on how to set up artwork for print explains the reasoning behind it in detail.

Free download · PDF · 118 KB

Print artwork pre-flight checklist

Two A4 pages with tick boxes for every check, plus space for the job name, finished size, who checked it and the date.

Download PDF

1. Document set-up

Document is built at the finished trim size, not the open or press-sheet size. Standard dimensions are in our paper sizes guide.
Page count is correct, in multiples of four for saddle-stitched booklets.
3mm bleed is set on every trimmed edge, and backgrounds and images extend into it.
All text, logos, page numbers and QR codes sit at least 5mm inside the trim.
There are no thin borders or frames running close to the trim edge, where a small movement in the cut would show.

2. Images and colour

Images are 300dpi at the size they are placed. A 300dpi image enlarged to 200% in the layout prints at about 150dpi.
No images taken from websites or screenshots, which are rarely high enough resolution for print.
Images and colours are converted to CMYK using the profile agreed with your printer.
Only Pantone colours that will print as spot inks are left as named spot colours. See CMYK vs RGB vs Pantone.
Body text and fine lines are set in 100% black, not a four-colour mix.
Spot UV, foil or emboss areas are supplied on a separate layer or file, as agreed. Our print finishes guide explains why.

Check	Fretwell specification	What goes wrong if it is missed
Bleed	3mm on every trimmed edge	Thin white edges after trimming
Safe area	At least 5mm inside the trim	Text or logos trimmed or crowded at the edge
Image resolution	300dpi at final printed size	Soft or pixelated pictures
Colour	CMYK, plus named spot colours only where spot inks are used	Unexpected colour shifts on press
Fonts	Embedded, or converted to outlines	Substituted fonts or reflowed text
File format	PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 with bleed and crop marks	Missing bleed, fonts or colour information

Specification from Fretwell's terms and conditions (artwork and files) and artwork requirements. PDF/X-4 is defined in ISO 15930-7.

3. Text and fonts

All fonts are embedded in the PDF, or converted to outlines.
There are no missing fonts, missing image links or low-resolution preview images.
Spelling, names, prices, dates, phone numbers and web addresses have been proofread. Our proofreading checklist covers this step in full.

How we can help

Every file checked before it goes to press

Our pre-press team checks resolution, bleed, colour profiles, font embedding and trapping on every job, with ISO 12647-2 calibrated proofing.

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4. Folds, binding and mailing

Folded leaflets are built to the printer's panel template, with no text running across a fold. See leaflet fold types.
Booklet content is kept clear of the outer edge to allow for creep on saddle-stitched books. See binding methods.
Perfect-bound covers are built to the confirmed spine width, which depends on page count and paper.
The mailing address sits where it will show through the envelope window. For Mailmark letters, windows sit at least 15mm from the top and sides and 18mm from the bottom. See envelope sizes.

5. Export and send

Exported as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4, with bleed and crop marks included.
The PDF has been opened and checked at 100% size, page by page.
The file is named clearly with the job name and version, for example appeal-letter-v3.pdf.
Large files are sent by secure SFTP. We supply login details on request.

Native files are fine too

We accept native InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop files as well as PDFs. Package InDesign files with all linked images and fonts so nothing goes missing.

Print Artwork Checklist: Free Pre-flight Download

Download the pre-flight checklist

1. Document set-up

2. Images and colour

3. Text and fonts

4. Folds, binding and mailing

5. Export and send

Sources

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