Just Push Print was created for easy online printing. To help you, we have compiled a few file preparation tips. Adhering to these guidelines will enable us to produce your order to the best of our ability.

Bleed Tips

If you intend for your job to bleed (ink to be printed to the edges of a page), then you must allow for this in your files by extending all your images 1/8" beyond the final page trim. Be sure that the PDF you send us is a quarter inch bigger than the final trim size. For example, an item that is to trim to 8 1/2” x 11” should have a PDF file that is 8 3/4”x 11 1/4” to allow for trimming.

Color Tips

Delete all unused colors from your color pallet so that only colors that you expect to print are listed. Make sure that these colors are built four color process (CMYK) and are not spot colors. Be sure that your document and images are in the proper color space CMYK - not RGB. When you create your PDF to be sent to us be sure to send it as a 4 color process (CMYK) composite.

Folds

Print out a laser of your PDF and fold it down to confirm that the dimensions of your fold panels are correct. Some common fold specs are:
8 1/2” x 11” letterfold: First two panels are 3 11/16” (3.6875) and the last panel is 3 5/8” (3.625)
8 1/2” x 14” letterfold: First two panels are 4 11/16” (4.6875) and the last panel is 4 5/8” (4.625)

Fonts

Create your PDF on the computer from which you created your original native file. Make sure that there aren’t any missing fonts or substitute fonts. If you are printing to our Jawscourier PDF creator, then the “embed all fonts” option is already selected. If you are creating your PDF another way, then make sure to select the “embed all fonts” option.

Gradient Tips

Avoid banding in vector-based gradient fills by instead importing gradient fills created in Photoshop.

Layout Tips

Create your PDF in single page form and in correct numerical order. If there are to be blank pages, then be sure to include blank pages in your PDF. For two sided jobs, adjust or rotate individual pages as needed so that they will back up properly. Check to make sure that the PDF you submit to us is the correct size (trim size plus bleed). Adjust page size if necessary. For example, a PDF for a business card should be 3 3/4” x 2 1/4” and not centered in an 8 1/2” x 11”.

Proofing Tips

Proofread your PDF before submitting it to us. Check your PDF closely for typing errors and accuracy of content. Confirm that your printed job will meet any postal regulations or other end-use requirements. Errors found after printing are your responsibility.

Resolution Tips

As a rule of thumb for resolution, photos should be 300dpi, scanned type and line art should be 1200dpi and the PDF you create should be 2400dpi. Avoid using photos taken from the internet as these files are usually low resolution 72dpi RGB files. Please note that interpolating something from a lower resolution to a higher resolution in Photoshop will not improve its quality. True optical resolution is determined during image capture (scanning or digital photography) so make sure that your files are scanned at the proper resolution to begin with.

Rich Black Tip

Large solid black areas in a CMYK job should be built to avoid hickies (trash). We recommend 40%cyan, 30%magenta, 30%yellow, and 100%black. Do not build black type as this presents a registration problem on press and can reduce legibility.

Trapping Tip

Turn off all application-based trapping and make sure that nothing is set to overprint.

Type Safety

We recommend a 1/4” type safety meaning that type should not be closer than 1/4” to the trim edges of a page or to the gutter of a booklet as a precaution against type being trimmed off.