Before Submitting Your Files, Check Out These 3 Tips

1. Preferred File Types

PDFs are the standard file type used at POD Print.

To achieve maximum print quality, we prefer both PDFs and live (editable) files whenever possible.

For live files, Adobe programs are ideal: Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

We also accept JPG, TIFF, PNG, EPS, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Publisher files. Please note that JPG, TIFF, and PNG files must be at least 300dpi for ideal printing quality. If you’re unsure whether your image meets these specifications, you may send it to us and we can let you know.

2. Bleed

What is “bleed”? Simply put, it’s the extra bit of your image that extends past the borders of the printed piece. Without bleed, a small sliver of white paper can appear along the edge of your final product. Bleed allows your graphics to fill the entire space.

POD Print recommends a minimum of ⅛” (0.125”) bleed on most print pieces, with ½” (0.5”) bleed on large pieces like banners and signage.

3. Packaging Files

If you’ve used Adobe Illustrator (AI) or InDesign (INDD) to create your files, those programs can link to images elsewhere on your computer. If you send only the AI or INDD file, those graphics are not included. Likewise, if you used a unique font, those font files will need to be sent as well.

Luckily, there’s a quick and easy way to make sure all images and fonts are placed in a single, tidy folder.

For InDesign

• Click on “File” in the upper menu bar.
• Toward the bottom of the list, select “Package…”
• In the Summary dialog box, make sure you don’t have any warnings. Warnings about color space can be ignored; POD Print’s prepress staff will adjust your color for ideal print quality.

• Click on the “Package…” button in the lower right.
• Select a file location and a folder name, then click “Package” in the lower right.
• You may receive a warning about font restrictions. This warning does give permission to include fonts to a commercial printer to process your files. Click OK.

• Navigate to the folder on your computer and zip up the folder into a single file.
  • On a Mac, right-click the folder and select “Compress Files”
  • On a PC, right-click the folder, then select “Send To > Zip File”

For Illustrator

• Click on “File” in the upper menu bar.
• Toward the bottom of the list, select “Package…”
• In the Package dialog box, select a folder by clicking the folder icon to the right of the “Location” text box

• Name the folder in the “Folder Name” box
• Make sure the following checkboxes are checked:
  • Copy Links
  • Collect links in separate folder
  • Relink linked files to document
  • Copy Fonts (Except Adobe Fonts and non-Adobe CJK fonts)
• You can leave “Create Report” unchecked
• Click the “Package” button
• You may receive a warning about font restrictions. This warning does give permission to include fonts to a commercial printer to process your files. Click OK.

• Navigate to the folder on your computer and zip up the folder into a single file.
  • On a Mac, right-click the folder and select “Compress Files”
  • On a PC, right-click the folder, then select “Send To > Zip File”

Now you have a packaged zip of your live files to send for optimum print quality. If you experience any complications, please contact us and we’d be happy to help you through the process!