Bleeds are used to show any objects in the document that are intended to go all the way to the edge of the printed page. A standard bleed (0.125”) gives you some breathing room to make sure the printed piece is correctly cut down to size. Here is how to work with bleeds in different Adobe programs:

InDesign requires you to click the “More Options” button in the new file dialog box to display your bleed settings. Simply enter “0p9 or .125”. Once the document opens, the bleed will be a red box that surrounds the page area. The object you want to bleed needs to extend all the way to the red box as opposed to the edge of the page.

Illustrator uses the same setup steps like the ones listed above for InDesign.

Photoshop does not have bleed settings in the program when you are creating a new document. It is possible to create a bleed by adding the bleed size to the document size. To do this, add .25” to the width and height to make sure you have an extra .125” on each side.

Whether you are using Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign or some other program to create your design to be used on something that will be printed you’ll need to make sure that file is saved in a way that is considered Print Ready.

WHAT IS A PRINT READY FILE?

A print ready file is a design file that has been prepared in a way that makes it ready to be accepted into a printers software with minimal or no need for alteration of the file.

This is important for a few reasons:

• • It reduces cost due to there being no design fees from the printer
  • It reduces the time to start production which can get your project done quicker
  • And eliminates potential inconsistencies between what you provided to the printer and what is delivered as the final printed product. You’ll know what you’re going to get!

CREATING PRINT-READY FILES USING THE ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE

The most common tools used in Graphic Design and for creating print-ready project files is the Adobe Creative Suite of products or what is now known as the Adobe Creative Cloud.

We’ll explain what needs to be done to create a print-ready file for Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign by saving the final art file as a Print Ready PDF.

The first thing we want to mention is that all files regardless of the platform they are created on MUST have a “crop” and “bleed” built into the document.

These areas are used to ensure there is enough room for the printer to cut off excess paper and not cut/crop the actual design you have prepared.

To ensure you have enough space for the printer include .125″ bleeds and set your margins or guides at a minimum of .25″ on all sides to keep important content.

When saving your print-ready PDF file with bleeds, make sure you have the “trim marks” and “use document bleed settings” features turned on in Illustrator & InDesign or for Photoshop you can use Print with Preview’s crop marks and bleed options, or you can create the crop marks manually.

HOW TO CREATE A PRINT READY FILE IN PHOTOSHOP

1. Ensure your file is in CMYK mode.

2. Flatten your design so there are No Layers.

3. Save the file as a Photoshop PDF.

4. Use the High-Quality Print Adobe PDF Preset.

• • Preserve Editing Capabilities
  • Optimize for Fast Web Preview

5. Click Save PDF

HOW TO CREATE A PRINT READY FILE IN ILLUSTRATOR

1. First, convert all text to outlines.

2. Then Save the File as an Adobe PDF.

3. Start with the High-Quality Print Adobe PDF preset.

• • Make sure it’s CMYK and 300 ppi.
  • Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities
  • Embed Page Thumbnails
  • Create Acrobat Layers from Top-Level Layers

4. Click Save PDF

HOW TO CREATE A PRINT READY FILE IN INDESIGN

1. Save the file as an Adobe PDF.

2. Start with the High-Quality Print Adobe PDF preset.

• • Optimize for Fast Web View
  • At least 300 pixels per inch

3. Click Export

It really can be that easy!

So now you know how to make sure your file is Print Ready before it goes out the door to your print partner.

ABG Print prides itself on being New York City’s top 24 hour printing service.  The stellar staff at our Midtown West facilities is here to help you around the clock, on the dot ℠.  Working with ABG Print is simple, just upload your print-ready PDF file to our cloud-based printing service and we will print, bind, finish and deliver your documents in less than 24 hours to within just 4 hours.  But what if there are issues with your document’s formatting?  We have that covered too!  Our highly trained Graphic’s Department will help you with proofing, formatting and document sizing.  Quick changes are totally doable, but we can make the process even faster with the help of our clients.

Our excellent Client Services Team has made a list of a few simple steps to make sure that your files are perfect for our presses!

1. Create prepress files with the right program.

Always use prepress software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign to create prepress files.  Using Microsoft PowerPoint or Microsoft Word to create a prepress file for printing professional marketing materials such as brochures, catalogs or direct mail can, and often will, lead to disastrous results.

2. Send the proper file type to the printer.

Different printing companies will have different requirements for the type of file they want to use. Some printers will want a high-resolution PDF file, others want the original Illustrator or InDesign file, and others may prefer something else entirely. It is always a good idea to talk to the printing company you will be using before starting the project to prevent having to redo any work.

3. Be aware of printing limitations.

While many printing companies are similar in many respects, their actual equipment can vary dramatically. Some printers with smaller presses may not be able to print a given project as well as a printer with a larger press.  Some printers may be better equipped than others to handle complex folds or running a fifth or sixth color. Be sure to check your printer’s capabilities before you send over the prepress files for printing.

4. Outline all text.

Outline all text within the prepress file so there are no font issues.  Font files may work fine for you while working on the project, but there can be problems with the fonts printing correctly when pre-press files are sent to the printer. By outlining all text in the prepress file, you eliminate any need to send font files with your job and all text will print correctly.

5. Convert all RGB files to CMYK.

A common problem printers have is that they receive a file that is set up for four-color process printing (CMYK), but the support files they receive (such as photographs) are in RGB format. This discrepancy will create delays in printing, additional costs to convert the file to the proper format, may lead to problems printing the project, and can affect the final document’s outcome.

ABG is aggressively pursuing tighter controls for the threat of cybersecurity challenges with data protection in print. The number of domestic data breaches jumped to a record 791 in the first six months of 2017. This is a 29% jump from last year. Recent breaches at Sony and Equifax has exposed the intensity of the danger. At ABG we are taking steps immediately to offer proactive protection of confidential information.

Together with our IT support companies, Microsoft and Adobe, we are using sophisticated monitoring methods and security tools. We know that identity fraud claims a new victim every two minutes. There is no time to wait. Our motto, around the clock, on the dot is expressed on a daily basis in our methods of securing data on all your business print projects. Our policy is to minimize, monitor and manage our defensive system with relentless precision.

In the final analysis, we care and we go to extraordinary lengths to protect our clients with all our printing products.

Personalized Data Printing (PDP) is the process of bringing a “one to one” approach to a “one to many” platform. With PDP, we are delivering completely customized marketing that’s unique to target prospects. We are inserting unique codes, names, demographics – right into the text of a printed piece.

Personalized Marketing Targets Different Audiences

Personalized marketing is the technology we use that allows you to manage unique codes, background images, colors, artwork and text based on different triggers. It also allows individual personalized codes to be inserted on coupons and gift kits. ABG has successfully managed complex campaigns with runs of 300,000 custom pieces.

ABGPrint creates value for clients by using high standards of quality. We see quality not as an act but a habit of excellence. In addition to our strict data management controls, the company still produces beautifully printed images. Our leading technological adaptation is transforming our capabilities. What could have only been imagined in the past is now a standard service offering. Our specialty printing services will make any piece stand out. Simply said, we care about our work and want to be proud of it. Our investments in people, process and technology has proven once again that only the fit will survive and thrive.

We see our job as protecting our clients by elevating the bar on quality all of the time. At ABG, excellence is expected.