Converting a digital image to print takes a lot more than just plugging in a flash drive and hitting the print button. There are a lot of things that must happen to a digital image if the print version is going to come out alright.

Before you print, be sure to check that your digital image has…

Bleed Area

When designing for print, your digital image needs a bleed area. This is a 1/8 inch (3 mm) margin surrounding your design, and is necessary if you want your image to reach the very edges of your print project.

The bleed area is eventually chopped off, but having it there guarantees that your final piece won’t have any unexpected white areas.

Quiet Borders

Quiet borders eliminate the risk of your words or images getting chopped off during the printing process. The quiet border is a 1/4 inch (5 mm) margin that extends off the edges of your design. Nothing should overlap into the quiet border.

Now that your digital image is the right size and shape, make sure that it is…

High Resolution

Low resolution images complicate the printing process more than anything. Before you print, make sure your image is between 300 and 400 pixels per inch.

In addition to resolution, your images should be the…

Proper Format

When you save a digital image you have the option to save it as a PDF, JPEG, PNG, GIF; the issue with the different formats is that PNG and GIF files are reserved for on-screen use only, and do not translate well to print. The best print friendly formats are a TIFF or a high resolution JPEG.

Now that you’ve gone through the checklist, will it print? There’s one way to find out.

Print a Proof

Testing your image out on a proof is the best way to know how your printed design will look and feel. Printing a proof will also reveal any issues that may arise during the printing process, and will make sure your final piece is flawless.

Want to make sure that your digital image is print friendly? Contact us at Alexander’s.