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Why Checking Your PDF Matters
We’ve all been there — excited to get a project printed, only to spot a last-minute error or worse, receive a print that looks nothing like what you expected. PDFs are the standard for print jobs because they lock in your design, but that doesn’t mean they’re foolproof. A quick check can mean the difference between a perfect print run and costly reprints.
Helpful Tips to Check Your PDF Before Printing
1. Confirm the Correct Dimensions and Bleed
Make sure your PDF matches the exact size required by your print job — whether it’s a business card, flyer, or poster. Don’t forget about bleed, usually around 3mm. This extra margin ensures your design reaches the edge of the page after trimming. Without bleed, you might get unwanted white borders.
2. Check Colour Settings: CMYK vs RGB
This one trips up many first-timers. Digital screens use RGB colours, but printers work in CMYK. If your PDF is still in RGB, colours might come out dull or off-tone. Convert your files to CMYK before exporting the PDF to get a more accurate preview of how your print will look.
3. Embed All Fonts or Convert to Outlines
Missing fonts can cause your printer to substitute something else, messing up your layout or text appearance. The safest bet is to embed all fonts within the PDF or convert your text to outlines (vector shapes). It preserves the look exactly as you designed it.
4. Use High-Resolution Images
Low-res images will appear pixelated or blurry once printed. Aim for at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) at the final print size. This is especially important for photos and detailed graphics. I always advise clients to zoom in on their PDF at 100% to spot any fuzziness before sending it off.
5. Mind Your Bleed, Trim, and Safe Zones
Beyond bleed, it’s essential to keep important text or logos inside the safe zone — usually about 5mm inside the trim line. This way, nothing important gets accidentally trimmed off during finishing.
6. Run a Preflight Check if Possible
Some design software and PDF readers have a preflight tool that scans for common issues like missing fonts, colour problems, or low-res images. Even if you’re not a tech wizard, it’s worth running this to catch anything sneaky.
A Quick Real-World Example
We once had a client send over a PDF for a batch of wedding invitations. Everything looked fine on screen, but the edges of their intricate border were getting cut off. After a quick check, we spotted that the design didn’t include the recommended bleed. By adding 3mm bleed and adjusting the safe zone, the invitations printed beautifully — and the client was thrilled. It’s a small step, but it saved time, money, and a lot of stress.
Wrapping It Up
Checking your PDF before printing might seem like a chore, but it’s really about peace of mind. Taking a little time to double-check sizes, colours, fonts, and images means your print job comes back looking just as you imagined. And if you’re ever unsure, don’t hesitate to ask your printer — they’ve seen it all and can guide you through the process.
Updated on 11 November 2025
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