print-file-validation

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.