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FAQs
“Print-ready” is one of those terms that printers use constantly and customers sometimes nod along to without being entirely sure what it means. At ExpressPrint, we check every file that comes in — so we see exactly what “not print-ready” looks like in practice. This guide explains what the term actually means, in plain language, so your next print order goes smoothly.
A print-ready file is a file that a printer can send directly to press without needing to make corrections or ask the customer for changes. It is prepared to the technical specifications the printing process requires — the right colour mode, the right resolution, the right file structure, and the right dimensions including bleed.
That sounds simple enough. In practice, the majority of files submitted to print shops in Singapore require at least one correction before they can be printed. Understanding why prevents delays and unexpected revision rounds.
CMYK colour mode
Printing presses use four inks: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black) — abbreviated as CMYK. Your screen displays colour using Red, Green, and Blue light — abbreviated as RGB. These two systems produce colour differently, and they do not produce exactly the same colours.
A print-ready file is in CMYK colour mode, not RGB. When a file prepared in RGB is sent to a CMYK press without conversion, the colours shift — sometimes subtly, sometimes significantly. Vivid electric blues, bright greens, and neon tones are the most common victims. If your brand uses any of these colours, checking the CMYK conversion before printing is essential.
Bleed
Bleed refers to the extension of background colours and images beyond the trim edge of a print piece. When a printer cuts a finished sheet to size, the cutting blade carries a tolerance of roughly 1 to 2mm. Without bleed, that tolerance creates a white strip at the edge of the finished piece where the background colour runs short of the cut line.
A print-ready file includes a bleed area — typically 3mm on all edges — where the background extends beyond the intended finished size. Crop marks (small lines showing where to cut) are included so the printer knows exactly where the trim line is. If your background is white and the rest of the piece is also white, bleed is not critical. For any coloured background or image that touches the edge, it is mandatory.
Resolution
Screen images are typically 72dpi. Print images need to be at least 300dpi at the actual print size. A 72dpi image that looks sharp on screen will print visibly soft or pixelated. A print-ready file has all images at the correct resolution for the intended output size.
Important: resolution is relative to size. A 300dpi image that is 10cm x 10cm cannot be scaled up to 30cm x 30cm and retain 300dpi — at the larger size it becomes 100dpi. Always prepare or source images at the size they will actually be printed, not at a thumbnail.
Embedded fonts
Fonts are software. If your print file contains live text using a font that is not installed on the printer’s system, the printer’s software will substitute it with a different typeface — changing your layout, spacing, and potentially the meaning of the piece. A print-ready file has all fonts either embedded in the PDF or converted to outlines (paths) so the font software is no longer required to reproduce the text.
File format
PDF is the standard format for print-ready files, and specifically PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 — these are standardised subsets of PDF designed for reliable print reproduction. Most professional design applications export to these standards. If you are exporting from Canva, PowerPoint, or Google Slides, a high-quality PDF export is still acceptable for most standard print products, but the file will not be strictly PDF/X compliant. At ExpressPrint, we accept standard high-quality PDFs and run prepress checks on every file to identify any issues.
Quick checklist
Before sending a file to any Singapore printer: ① Colour mode is CMYK ② 3mm bleed on all edges where background reaches the trim ③ Crop marks included ④ All images at 300dpi at print size ⑤ Fonts embedded or converted to outlines ⑥ File saved as PDF (high quality or PDF/X) ⑦ Dimensions match the product ordered. If you are uncertain about any of these, ExpressPrint’s prepress team can check before your job goes to press.
ExpressPrint tip
ExpressPrint reviews every file submitted before printing. If your file has any of the issues described above, we will contact you before production — not after. That said, on rush orders, catching file issues late in the process costs time you may not have. Submitting a print-ready file the first time is the single most reliable way to protect your deadline. Browse our digital print range and see the artwork specifications for each product.
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