Providing a Print-Ready PDF File

Before uploading artwork to Cornerstone for printing, your provided file should be print-ready and saved as a PDF. Providing this type of file will avoid any possible misunderstandings about final trim size, quantity and artwork cropping. Also, providing this type of file will avoid any production delays and any extra artist fees associated with re-setup of your file. In many cases, your provided print-ready PDF file will print better than one that needs modifications after it has been provided to us. This is because the in-house graphic designer modifying the artwork will not have access to the original design pieces and the original artwork file. 

Step 1

Document Setup:

• Document Page Size:
  • Set the width and height of your page size to match the final trim size of the printed piece.
  • For a 5x7 inch printed piece, the document page size will be set to 5x7 inches.
• Bleed Area:
  • Set to 0.125 in. 
  • In your design, the background elements must fill the designated bleed area on your page.
• One Design per Page:
  • Do not put multiple items on the same page unless you intend to trim each item yourself.
  • Each separate design must be provided in separate documents with each page set to the correct trim size.

    
    

In Adobe Creative Suite, your document settings may look similar to this:

Step 2

Export to PDF:

• File > Export > PDF
• Turn on settings to show Crop Marks (or Trim Marks) on the file.
• Turn on setting to include and show Bleed Area on the file.

When designing in Canva, use the following guide to save your print-ready file:
https://www.cornerstonecopy.com/upload-instructions-canva-pdf.html

In Adobe Creative Suite, your PDF Export settings may look similar to this:

Step 3

Open/Check Your PDF File:

• Crop Marks (trim marks) show in each corner.
• The background area 'bleeds' past the trim mark.

Below is an example of a file showing crop marks and bleed area.

If you have any questions about providing a print-ready file, please contact us.