Print-Ready File Checklist: Bleed, DPI, CMYK & More (Before You Order)

Nothing slows down a print order like a file that isn't ready. A missing bleed, a blurry logo or the wrong color mode can mean a delay, a reprint or a result that doesn't look like what you saw on screen. The good news: almost every problem can be caught in five minutes with the checklist below.

Save this page and run through it before you upload anything: business cards, flyers, postcards, signs or labels.

1. Set the right document size (plus bleed)

Bleed is extra artwork that extends past the final trim line. Printers cut large stacks at once, and the blade can shift slightly. Without bleed, that tiny shift shows up as a thin white edge.

• Standard bleed: 0.125" (1/8") on every side.
• Example: a 3.5" × 2" business card should be built at 3.625" × 2.125".
• A 4" × 6" postcard becomes 4.25" × 6.25".
• Backgrounds, photos and color blocks that touch the edge must extend all the way into the bleed.

2. Keep important content inside the safe zone

The safe zone is the mirror image of bleed: keep text, logos, phone numbers and QR codes at least 0.125" inside the trim line. Anything closer risks being clipped or looking cramped after cutting.

3. Use high-resolution images (300 DPI)

Images that look sharp on a screen often print soft. For print, photos and raster graphics should be 300 DPI at the final printed size.

• Avoid screenshots and images saved from websites or social media: they are usually 72 DPI.
• Don't "upscale" a small image by stretching it. It won't add detail.
• Use a vector logo (AI, EPS, SVG or vector PDF) whenever you have one. Vectors stay sharp at any size, from a business card to a banner.

4. Design in CMYK, not RGB

Screens create color with light (RGB). Printing presses use ink (CMYK). Some bright RGB colors, like neon greens, electric blues and hot pinks, can't be reproduced exactly with ink and will shift when converted.

• Set your document to CMYK from the start so what you see is closer to what you get.
• If your brand uses a very specific color, share the CMYK values from your brand guide.
• Remember that every monitor displays color a little differently. Treat the screen as a preview, not a proof.

5. Check text size and line weight

• Keep body text at 6 pt or larger. Thin or light fonts should go bigger.
• Avoid hairlines. Lines thinner than about 0.25 pt may break up or disappear.
• Small white text on a dark or busy background is hard to read. Test it at actual size.

6. Outline or embed your fonts

If the printer doesn't have your font, it gets replaced with something else and your layout can shift. Before exporting, convert text to outlines or make sure fonts are embedded in the PDF. Keep an editable copy for yourself: outlined text can't be changed later.

7. Export a print-ready PDF

• Export as PDF (PDF/X-1a or "High Quality Print" presets work well).
• Include the bleed in the export settings. Many programs leave it out by default.
• Upload one PDF per side, or one PDF with the pages in order (front, then back).

8. Proofread like it's going on 5,000 flyers (because it might be)

Most reprints aren't caused by technical problems. They're caused by typos. Before you upload:

• Read every word out loud, especially names, prices and dates.
• Call the phone number and open the website and email address on the design.
• Scan every QR code with your phone and confirm it opens the right page.
• Ask one other person to read it. Fresh eyes catch what yours skip.

Quick checklist

• ☐ Document size includes 0.125" bleed on all sides
• ☐ Text and logos are 0.125" inside the trim line
• ☐ Images are 300 DPI at print size; logo is vector
• ☐ Document is in CMYK
• ☐ Text is 6 pt or larger; no hairlines
• ☐ Fonts outlined or embedded
• ☐ Exported as PDF with bleed included
• ☐ Proofread, phone number tested, QR code scanned

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my file doesn't have bleed?

If nothing in your design touches the edge, like a white background with a centered logo, you may not need it. If color or images run to the edge, the file needs bleed, or you risk white slivers after trimming.

Can I send a JPG or PNG instead of a PDF?

A high-resolution JPG or PNG built at the full size with bleed can work for simple designs. A PDF is still the safest format because it keeps text sharp and fonts intact.

Why do my colors look different in print?

Screens are backlit and use RGB. Paper reflects light and uses CMYK inks, and the stock and finish (matte, gloss, uncoated) also affect how color looks. Designing in CMYK reduces surprises.

Don't want to worry about it?

At KEOPSY, a real person reviews every file before it prints. If we spot a missing bleed, a low-resolution image or anything that looks off, we'll let you know before it goes to press. Starting from scratch? Try the KEOPSY AI Design Studio to build a print-ready design right in your browser.

Ready to print? Browse business cards, flyers & brochures, postcards and yard signs.