| PRE-PRESS | Jaina Offset Team
10-Point Print Quality Checklist Before You Send Files to the Press
The difference between a print job that looks incredible and one that requires a costly reprint often comes down to one thing: did the designer follow a proper pre-press checklist? Here is the checklist we recommend every time.
Why a Pre-Press Checklist Saves Time and Money
Reprinting a 10,000-copy run because of a simple file error can cost your company thousands of rupees and weeks of delay. A 10-point checklist takes 15 minutes but saves you from 90% of common mistakes.
The 10-Point Checklist
- Resolution: All images must be 300 DPI at final print size. Screen images at 72 DPI will print blurry. If you have a 4×6-inch image, it must be 1,200×1,800 pixels at 300 DPI. Upscaling a low-res image doesn't work — it will still be blurry.
- Colour Mode: Convert all files from RGB to CMYK. What looks bright on your screen in RGB may shift significantly when printed in CMYK. Always convert and proof before finalising.
- Bleed: Add 3mm bleed on all sides beyond the trim line. Without bleed, you risk white edges. If your document is 210×297mm (A4), the bleed area should extend to 216×303mm, with content set to 210×297mm.
- Safe Zone: Keep critical content (text, logos) at least 5mm inside the trim line. Offset presses have a small margin of error when cutting sheets. Text within 5mm of the edge may get cut off.
- Fonts: Embed all fonts or convert text to outlines before exporting. If a font is missing on the printer's computer, it will be substituted with a default font, ruining your layout. Always embed or convert to curves.
- Black Text: Use 100% K only for body text. Avoid composite black (a mix of CMYK) on small text — it causes colour misregistration blur. Small text should be 100% black only.
- File Format: Export as PDF/X-1a (preferred) or PDF/X-4. Avoid sending Word, PowerPoint, or low-quality JPG files. PDF/X formats are specifically designed for print and preserve all settings.
- Overprint Settings: Check that white text is not set to overprint. If white text overprints onto a background, it will disappear (become invisible). Always set white text to "knock out" (not overprint).
- Ink Coverage: Total ink on any single pixel should not exceed 320%. If a pixel has 100% of all four colours (CMYK), that is 400% — too much. The paper will be wet, sheets will stick together, and the print will look muddy. Check this in your design software's ink limit settings.
- Proof: Always request a digital soft proof or physical hard proof before approving a large run. A soft proof (PDF shown on screen) is quick and free. A hard proof (printed sample) costs a bit but catches errors that even experienced eyes miss on screen.
What Happens When You Send Wrong Files
Scenario 1: You send RGB files without converting to CMYK. The printer's software auto-converts them. Colours shift. Your vibrant logo becomes dull. Reprint required. Cost: ~30% of the original print cost. Delay: 2–3 weeks.
Scenario 2: You don't embed fonts. The printer's computer is missing a font, so it substitutes. Your elegant headline is now in Times New Roman. Layout shifts. Reprint required.
Scenario 3: You add bleed but don't extend the background colour into the bleed area. After cutting, white edges appear. Reprint required.
Scenario 4: Your image resolution is only 150 DPI. It prints blurry. Reprint required.
In all cases, the printer should catch these errors in pre-press and alert you before production. But it is better to avoid them in the first place.
How Jaina Offset's Pre-Press Team Helps
Our pre-press team uses professional preflight software to catch errors automatically. If we spot an issue, we send corrections back to you before approval — we never print wrong files without your sign-off.
We provide:
• Automatic file preflight check
• Written report if errors are found
• Recommended fixes and corrections
• Soft proof for your final review
• Hard proof (physical sample) if requested
This process ensures your print job turns out perfectly — on the first try.