Layout & Pre-press

06 / Preflight & Export

06 / PREFLIGHT & EXPORT

Key question

How do you turn a layout into a file that can be printed without any queries?

Prior to export, the content, typography, layout, links, colours and bleed are checked. When exporting, the correct PDF standard is essential. Afterwards, the PDF itself is reviewed, not just the layout.

Learning objective: You can perform a preflight check, export a print-ready PDF, and review it in Acrobat.

Check first, print later.

6.1 / Before export

Preflight finds what you miss.

Before export, content, typography, and technical aspects are checked. The preflight check in the layout software detects missing fonts and links, RGB images, or overset text.

Content

Page numbers, table of contents, captions, names, dates, prices.

Typography

Consistent quotation marks, dashes and apostrophes, no orphans.

Technology

Links, overprinting, technical layers, bleed, page formats.

You can find the complete list in the prepress guide below. It takes you through six phases, from initial checks to post-export.

Check systematically, not by gut feeling.

6.2 / The six-phase checklist

Six phases, one process.

The Prepress Guide organises all checkpoints into six phases: Clarify beforehand, Setup, Layout, Pre-export, Export, and Post-export. A dedicated version is available for digital applications.

When exporting, the following applies: PDF/X-4 or as specified, bleed enabled, fonts embedded, colour profiles defined in the document and not changed during export. The file name must be unique and versioned.

One process for every printed item.

Try it out

Pre-press Guide

The complete checklist in six phases, for print and digital applications. Your progress is saved in your browser.

0 / 54 done

Setting up, working and exporting documents

Fix final format, page count and print runRule of thumb: under 500 copies digital print, over 1000 copies offset. Deviations with finishing and spot colours.Folded bindings: page count must be divisible by four. Plan differently for zigzag, accordion or roll folds.
Printing method decidedOffset, digital, large format, inkjet, screen print
Paper definedMaterial, grammage, surface, grain direction, sheet size. Some papers are made specifically for offset or digital print.
Binding definedSaddle stitch, perfect binding (mind spine and gutter)
Finishing definedVarnish, spot varnish, embossing, hot-foil stamping, die-cutting, perforation … per the printer's specifications
For large format: viewing distance defined
Obtain bleed, safety margins and tolerancesStandard 3 mm bleed and 6 mm safety margin, more for large format because of eyelets, keder and frame systems.
Colour decidedCMYK, spot colours such as Pantone (solid colours), white … Obtain the printer's colour profile.
TypeAvailable in all needed weights (bold, italic …).

Prepress

Reference

Standard colour profiles

Offset standard	ISO Coated v2 (ECI)
Offset modern	PSO Coated v3
Uncoated paper (ISO 12647)	PSO Uncoated
Newspaper	ISO Newspaper 26v4
Digital print	Printer's profile
Large format/inkjet	Device-specific

Viewing distance large format

1–2 m distance	150 dpi
3–5 m distance	72–100 dpi
Facades	30–50 dpi

Minimum sizes

Body text	from approx. 7–8 pt
Fine rules	at least 0.25 pt

6.3 / After export

The PDF is checked, not the layout.

After export, the PDF is checked separately: page size and bleed, embedded fonts, colour separations, overprinting and technical lines. In Acrobat Pro, this can be done via Print Production > Output Preview.

A paper printout reveals errors that go unnoticed on screen. For important jobs, a proof from the printer is well worth it.

Print out and check separately.

Exercise

Submit a print-ready PDF

Task: Submit the programme as a print-ready PDF.

STEP 1

Go through phases 1 to 4 in the Prepress Guide.

STEP 2

Exported as PDF/X-4 with bleed.

STEP 3

Check the PDF in Acrobat using Output Preview.

STEP 4

Swap the PDF with another group and check each other's work.

Evaluation: Which mistakes did the other group find that you missed?

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07 / Digital Edition →

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