Print-Ready is a term used to describe a file that has all the specifications necessary to produce high-resolution printed output, without requiring any additional alteration or intervention. Having your artwork up-to-par will save you money on re-prints and/or additional design fee's provided by the print shop.
Does your file have the correct bleed?
In printing terms, the bleed is the extra margin on a print product that is meant to be trimmed off when the product is trimmed to its final size. Bleed basically means that the color and graphics on a product "bleed off the page" to ensure continuity of the color to the edge of your product. Legend & Ko. requires .125" bleeds on all artwork for print.
When we print products, we do not print on paper of that size. We organize several products onto a parent sheet of paper, print, and then trim each product to size. Jobs cannot be trimmed perfectly on the trimming line each time. During the trimming process, a product may be trimmed within or beyond the trimming line. As a result, the product may have a white edge, or a portion of the artwork from the surrounding jobs. Thus, we require a bleed on each individual product.
Is your artwork outlined and is all text within .25" of the trim edge?
If your text is not outlined, it can be converted to the wrong display. It can also be cut-off if its too close to the trim edge.
Does your file contain images of high resolution?
Make sure that the artwork you are submitting is at least 300 dpi when shown at 100%. It should be no higher than 450 dpi. Both lower images as well as higher images will result in poor print quality. Anything copy and pasted from the internet will result in 72 dpi, which will print pixelated. Internet requires less resolution- be sure to use original images and photos.
Is your artwork the correct file type?
Legend & Ko. only accepts PDF's with the correct bleed information. JPGs, PNGs, TIFFs or any other file type are not accepted as they are not as compatible for printing and editing.
Are you unsure of the print quality?
At Legend & Ko., we offer a very high quality of printing and products; however, monitors DO NOT represent printed color well. We will get as close as possible, but cannot guarantee that printed products will be identical to a proof. Why? – Computer monitors run on an RGB color spectrum that is created by mixing light. This is completely different from printed CMYK materials that are created by mixing ink, therefore a printed product will be very close, but not exact. Monitor settings vary and are never identical. If you are concerned about the printed color of your design, we are happy to print a hard copy proof for a fee.