Get Your Print Right: A Practical Checklist for Your Next Project

Written by The Team at Main Graphics on April 10, 2026. Posted in A Guide to Marketing Materials - Main Graphics Blog

Even when you have been through the print process a few times, a quick review before submitting your files can make all the difference. Not because anything is necessarily wrong, but because a little prep work up front tends to make everything go more smoothly on the back end. Think of it as a friendly reminder that the basics are worth a second look, no matter how familiar the process feels. That is exactly why a checklist matters. The details change from job to job, but the fundamentals stay consistent. Run through these before your next project, and you will save yourself time, money, and a few headaches.

Seven things every print checklist should have

1. Talk to us first

Even if you have done this type of job a dozen times, it is always worth a quick call or email to ask whether there is anything specific to know about this particular project. The only question you will regret is the one you did not ask. The team at Main Graphics is here for exactly this kind of conversation.

2. File format

Make sure your file is in the correct format before submitting. In most cases, that means a print-ready PDF. When in doubt, check with us, and we will point you in the right direction.

3. Resolution

Images should be at 300 dpi for standard print work. High-end pieces like catalogs or coffee table books may require higher resolution, and wide-format work varies with display size and viewing distance. If you are unsure what resolution is right for your application, ask. That is what we are here for.

4. Color mode

This one is important. Print jobs need to be in CMYK, not RGB. If you submit in RGB, the file will undergo a conversion before it goes to press, and that conversion can shift your colors in ways you did not plan. Design in CMYK from the start, and you stay in control of how your final piece looks.

5. Bleed and margins

If your design does not bleed to the edge of the page, make sure your trim margins are set correctly with crop marks. Pages are trimmed to the final size after printing, so anything important that sits too close to the edge risks being cut off. Double-check your setup before you submit.

6. Fonts

Embed your fonts or convert them to outlines before sending your file. If fonts are missing or not embedded, your design software will substitute whatever it finds, and the result rarely looks like what you intended.

7. Layers

If you are working in design software with multiple layers, flatten them before submitting. Unflattened files can cause transparency issues or unintended edits that show up on press in ways that are hard to catch until it is too late. This list is a solid starting point, not the complete picture. Main Graphics has been the most trusted print resource in Orange County for good reason. We take the time to get things right, and we are always happy to walk through your file before it goes to press. Reach out to us in Irvine before your next project gets underway. A two-minute conversation now can save a lot of back-and-forth later.