| name | Print file validation |
| description | Check an artwork file against the press requirements and say exactly what to fix. |
| category | operations |
Validating artwork for print
A rejection that says "file not suitable" produces another bad file. Say the
number and the target.
Check, in this order
- Resolution at final size — report the effective DPI, not the pixel count.
- Colour mode and profile.
- Bleed and safe area — how many millimetres present against required.
- Fonts — outlined or embedded.
- Transparency and overprint where the press cannot hold them.
- Dimensions and orientation against the ordered product.
Report like this
Requires 300 dpi at 40 × 50 cm. Supplied file is 96 dpi at that size
(1512 × 1890 px). Send at least 4724 × 5906 px, or a vector file.
Number found, number needed, and the fix. Every time.
Judgement calls
Anything between the reject threshold and the warning threshold is offered to
the customer with the trade-off stated — "this will print, and fine detail will
soften".
Never
Approve a file that fails a hard requirement because the customer is in a hurry,
or silently rescale.