Always start with the basics. Nothing is wrong with mastering the fundamentals – they will actually take you further if you know the requirements of printing at heart.

Removing Problems in Printing Before they Start

Spare yourself the trouble of finding out to late that you could have fixed the problem early on. This simple checklist can help you avoid the common careless mistakes other people have made.

1)Send the right file.

•You’d be surprised at the amount of people who make this simple mistake. Maybe because they save their files in a single folder or they use the same file names over and over again, make sure you know you have sent in the file you really wanted printed.

•Double check your files before uploading them. Check once again in the shopping cart or in the job management portal for the preview of the file you have uploaded.

•Find a printing company with a free file preview. These same companies have a free digital proof that gives you a last minute chance to make corrections before they send your file for production. Please take these precautions seriously, don’t waive your right to proof unless you’re absolutely sure you have everything in place.

•Sending in the right file can also mean that you need to send it in the right file format. Review which acceptable file formats are printed because some printing companies vary with their requirements.

•File for offset posters, custom posters and even large format prints may vary. Check to see in which print process your poster files falls under and see if you are sending in your files in the needed formats.

2)Scale your Image to Poster Size

•Standard offset posters sizes are 11x17, 18x24, 24x36, and 27x39 inches. Be sure your posters are designed to meet these specifications.

•You can print your posters in custom-sizes with high-gloss and semi-gloss posters coming in at a maximum of 58" x 100" with half-inch increments.

3)Check your resolution

•A problem with resizing a poster is that it may lead to distortion, thus changing the resolution and possibly affecting the quality of the image. When you’re resizing your image, remember to make it as minimal as possible. Whenever possible, acquire images in the size you need to print them.

•It’s a common misconception that the smaller the size, the fewer dots per inch it needs to generate high resolution images. Smaller sized posters need higher resolution of at least 200-300 DPI because they are subject to closer inspection. Large format prints should have at least 150 DPI.

•When saving your file, avoid file formats that uses compression like Jpegs. They can ruin the quality of your poster, so opt for lossless files. If you’re file is too big to be sent via the website, call the printing company and ask assistance to transfer files via the file transfer protocol or ftp.

4)Bleeds and Allowances

•Posters are cut in thick stacks. It is possible for the sheet to move when cutting so you should place an extra .25 or 1/16 inch allowance for your poster design. This is called the bleed. Through this, it avoids cutting your offset posters with visible white spaces too.

•You have to also secure your important images and text within .25 inch of the exact size you want your posters printed. This perimeter is called the safe zone where the important elements are secured from being cut off.

The specifications may change from company to company. Make sure you call your poster printing company ahead of time so you can prepare your files.