Eliminating Prepress Errors: 20 Must-Know Techniques

The prepress stage is crucial in print production, as even small mistakes can lead to costly reprints, delays, and poor-quality results. Whether you're working on books, magazines, packaging, or marketing materials, these errors can impact customer satisfaction and even harm your brand's reputation. Fixing them isn't just expensive—it's necessary to ensure the final print matches the original design.

The good news? Most prepress mistakes are avoidable with the proper techniques. Professional prepress service can help streamline the process, ensuring your files are error-free and print-ready.

This blog covers 20 key methods to minimize mistakes, from color settings to font choices. These tips will save you time, money, and frustration.

Let's make the prepress process smooth and hassle-free!

20 Ways to Avoid Common Pre-Press Mistakes

1. Check Image Resolution

Low-resolution images are a common print mistake. While 72 DPI works for digital use, print requires at least 300 DPI at the final print size to avoid pixelation. Setting a document to 300 DPI isn't enough—ensure the image size matches the final print dimensions.

150 DPI may be acceptable for large-format prints viewed from a distance. Test your images beforehand to ensure clarity.

2. Convert Colors to CMYK for Accurate Printing

Printers use CMYK, not RGB, so always set your design to CMYK from the start to avoid color changes in print. If your file is in RGB mode, the colors may look different when printed.

If your artwork uses Pantone colors, make sure the printer matches them correctly. If your design includes images, check their format—RGB images must be converted to CMYK using software like Photoshop.

To get deep black in print, use 40% Cyan, 40% Magenta, 40% Yellow, and 100% Black instead of standard black. This ensures a darker, more vibrant print.

3. Use the Right File Format

Save your files in the correct format (PDF/X-1a, TIFF, or EPS) to avoid compatibility issues with printing software.

4. Prevent Font Issues in Printing

Missing fonts can change your design if the printer replaces them with a default font, ruining the layout.

To avoid this, embed fonts in your PDF before printing. You can also outline them, turning text into vector shapes that stay the same on any system.

If you need to edit the text later, save a copy before outlining. Check software settings in tools like Adobe InDesign and Illustrator, as they don't automatically outline fonts.

Tools like ArtPro+ with Extensis Universal Type Server can also help by automatically selecting the correct fonts.

5. Set the Correct Bleed

A bleed ensures your design prints to the edge without unwanted white borders. Bleed is the extra space that extends beyond the trim line, allowing for slight shifts during cutting. Without a proper bleed, your print may have thin white edges where the paper is trimmed.

Include at least a 3mm (or 0.125") bleed on all sides for best results. Ensure any background colors, images, or graphics extend into this area. This prevents gaps and keeps your design looking professional.

6. Check Margins and Safe Zone

Printing often requires slight adjustments, and anything too close to the edge risks being trimmed off.

To prevent this, keep important text and images away from the trim edge to avoid accidental cuts. Place them at least 3-5mm inside the trim line, leaving only background elements in the bleed area. This keeps your design safe and well-aligned after printing.

7. Use High-Quality Graphics

Low-resolution images may look fine on screen but can print blurry or pixelated. Always use high-quality graphics, especially for large prints. Save files in PDF or TIFF format for the best results.

If you need to compress graphic files, use ZIP compression instead of LZW to avoid image quality loss. This ensures your final print looks sharp and professional.

8. Scale Images Correctly

Incorrect scaling can lead to poor print quality. Your image must match the final print size to ensure clarity.

For example, if printing a 240″ x 120″ banner, an artwork covering 1/4th of the space should be 60″ x 30″, not 60″ x 28″. Always check dimensions to avoid distortion or misalignment.

9. Watch for Overprint Issues

Check that elements set to overprint won't cause unwanted blending or disappearing colors.

10. Keep Links and Graphics Intact

Missing links or graphics can delay printing and may even prevent your document from being printed. To avoid this, store all linked images in one folder and don't move or rename it.

If you edit a linked image, relink it before sending the file to print. Also, ensure your graphics fit the structural design file. This helps maintain accuracy and prevents errors during production.

11. Export with Crop Marks

Crop marks show where to trim the printed material, ensuring the final size is accurate. When exporting your PDF, always include crop marks to avoid misaligned cuts.

Most design software lets you add crop marks during export—a small step that ensures a clean, professional finish.

12. Export as Single Pages

Always export your document as single pages, not spreads. This prevents alignment issues and ensures proper double-sided printing. Choosing the correct export settings helps maintain accuracy and avoids costly reprints.

13. Test Print Before Mass Production

A test print helps catch errors before large-scale printing. Always send proofs or mock-ups to the printer to ensure all elements are correctly placed, and nothing is missing.

Before approval, carefully review the proof for color accuracy, missing fonts, or layout issues. This is your final chance to fix mistakes before production. For best results, download the proof and check it in a PDF viewer to ensure everything looks perfect.

14. Use a Preflight Check

Preflight tools, like those in Adobe InDesign, help catch errors before printing. Since PDFs come from various sources, pre-flighting ensures they meet printing standards, preventing costly mistakes.

Software like ArtPro+ with Enfocus Preflight automatically detects issues such as missing fonts, low-resolution images, RGB colors, small text, or thin lines. Errors are flagged instantly for automatic correction or manual review.

For added efficiency, create a custom preflight profile in Adobe InDesign to automate checks for common mistakes. This saves time and reduces printing errors.

15. Recognize Barcodes

Barcode errors can be costly and hard to spot. Barcode recognition ensures accurate reproduction, converting supplied codes into reliable Esko barcodes.

The Compare feature highlights any deviations, ensuring customizations are captured correctly. Verifying barcodes before printing helps prevent scanning issues and costly reprints.

16. Ensure Correct Page Order and Layout

Double-check the sequence to avoid page-mixing errors, especially for booklets and brochures.

17. Achieve Perfect Flexo Print

Before printing, use flexo print simulation to spot issues like breakouts or dot gain. This helps you adjust designs in advance for a smooth, high-quality print every time.

18. Verify Paper and Print Specifications

Ensure your design matches the selected paper type and print process for the best results.

19. Printing Unit Support

Keep print decks and ink order well-organized to avoid mistakes and reprints. Assign printing unit details to separations for accurate proofing and sharing—there is no need for extra proxy files.

20. Work with Professional Pre Press Services

A Professional pre-press service provider can help you catch errors, optimize files, and ensure smooth printing, saving time and money.

Have a Flawless Print by Eliminating Pre Press Errors with the Help of Pre Press Services

Careful preparation is key to error free printing. By following these 20 tips and using prepress solutions, you can ensure smooth, high-quality printing while saving time and costs.

A solid prepress strategy, including a checklist and tools, ensures your prints are perfect. Prepress services can also refine your drafts into polished, print-ready designs.

Start applying these techniques today for hassle-free printing!