PrintRunner Help Center: Common Mistakes with Files

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Home > Help Center > File Help > Common Mistakes with Files

When submitting your files to be printed, there are a few simple mistakes that can sometimes delay the printing of your job. Avoiding these issues will ensure that your job is printed as timely as possible.

Jump to a specific topic:
Problems with Bleed Area
Problems with Image Resolution
Problems with Safe Area
Problems with Color Mode
Problems with Borders

Bleed Area

	Incorrect - Missing Bleed
	Issue: Whenever you want an image or color to print to the edge of your printed piece, those images or colors must extend 1/8" past the cut line of your artwork. Result: When this card is printed and cut, white strips of unprinted paper would appear at the edges of the card.

	Correct - 1/8" Bleed on all sides
	Best Practice: By extending the images and color near the cut line 1/8" past the cut line, you ensure your card will be trimmed properly.

Image Resolution

	Incorrect - Low Image Resolution
	Issue: The image of the car is low resolution, perhaps because it was simply saved off a website. Result: When this card is printed, the image would have very poor quality.

	Correct - All images are 300dpi
	Best Practice: By using larger, high-resolution, images to begin with, you're able to achieve a terrific amount of image detail in your final printed product.

Safe Area

	Incorrect - Objects outside of Safe Area
	Issue: Important text and photo objects are outside the safe area. Result: When this card is printed, the objects close to the trim line may be cut off or appear too close to the cut line.

	Correct - Objects well within Safe Area
	Best Practice: By keeping important objects within the safe area, you ensure that no important text is trimmed off during the final cutting process.

Color Mode

	Incorrect - Submitted in RGB Color Mode
	Issue: Files were not designed in the correct color mode for print (CMYK). Result: When this card is printed, the color does not translate properly to the 4-color process of a professional printing press, which results in colors appearing dull and washed out compared to how they viewed on screen.

	Correct - Submitted in CMYK Color Mode
	Best Practice: By converting the color mode to CMYK for all graphical elements you are using, you can see a more accurate view of the colors in your art, and make any necessary changes before uploading your files for print.

Rich Black

	Incorrect - Large solid area not Rich Black
	Issue: This artwork includes a large solid area defined with black ink only. Result: Due to ink coverage in the offset printing process, the solid black area will appear to be a washed out gray color.

	Correct - Large solid area with Rich Black
	Best Practice: For all areas of solid black, set the color values to the following combination for the best result. C: 60% M: 40% Y: 40% K: 100%

Borders

	Incorrect - Border near the Cut Line
	Issue: The artwork includes a border right at the edge of the card's cut line. Result: Due to mechanical tolerances of the cutting process, the border will not appear symmetrical.

	Correct - Border well within Safe Area
	Best Practice: By moving the border within the safe area, you ensure that the border will appear symmetrical after the card is trimmed.

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