Check list to make printing data
1. Check if the document color is set to CMYK
The document should be set to CMYK mode. Basically, document color is set when a new document is created. Check before submitting data if the document is set to CMYK. If the document is created by RGB, the printed color will be changed.
https://gyazo.com/0534ed6e5ae69c39bd2ebfca8cd9498f
Set your document to CMYK when you create a new document.
https://gyazo.com/72ccf88c99528cf99e690e4ed927d47c
After new document is created, you can change the color mode from File>Document Color Mode>CMYK
2. Check if 3mm bleed is prepared
If your design includes picture, illustration or line painted to the end of paper, the printing data should have Bleed. Without bleed, the final printing will be printed with white unprinted line. Generally, the size of bleed should be 3mm on top, bottom, left and right of your design.
https://gyazo.com/fb31b14a54e0cef0fa53ea5476cf59ea
File>Document Setting
https://gyazo.com/21f0df8993cf3c9ac3354115614832ab
3mm bleed on top/bottom/left/right of your design.
https://gyazo.com/e2af0b2179d4ebd4ee1a58a9cbd93800
Paint 3mm out of your design.
3. Check all fonts (text) are outlined
Outlining text means all text objects are changed to graphic objects (path). Your font is not always installed on all PCs and the text will be replaced by another font if you do not outline text.
https://gyazo.com/690539055cad9306938ed49b22602a63
Object > Release all lock > Select > Select All > Format > Create Outline
https://gyazo.com/d1e8cbcdc4f5eefc17aeeb81b9047788
Check if all text are outlined using search font function
4. Check if unnecessary objects or isolated anchor does not exist
If your design data include unnecessary objects or isolated anchor points, it may cause error at the printing factory. They also waste your data size.
https://gyazo.com/acd35a6619cf7e0a2b3a97d24462c1b6
Select > Object > Unnecessary Points
https://gyazo.com/868aef4e61138a728b9bee53e5b0ffff
5. Check if you are using special color.
If you intend to print your document with CMYK format, using special color may cause the change of color without intention. Especially if you print with on demand printing, you cannot print with a special color.
https://gyazo.com/119ec3f89ceeeb27ff66f973963a0593
A mark is displayed on the special color
https://gyazo.com/433ad5cde55b15c35502de8ca8620cae
You can check if a special color is used from Document information
6. Check if “Rich Black” is not used at line or text
Rich black is not K100% but mixed color of CMYK.
Rich black is used for some special purpose such as vivid black at the background, but it cannot be applied to thin line or small text. If applied to these small objects, they are not sharp enough.
https://gyazo.com/ad372298653d0332a416e04037a9ac17
Registration color also should not be used except for trim line.
7. Check if the embedded color is CMYK
Printing color consists of 4 colors, CMY plus K. Pictures looks vivid with RGB color but it looks dull with CMYK color. If embedded photo within your design is RGB mode, the printing color will be different.
https://gyazo.com/a218df3b2f2d524701b61db09fd2e167
8. Check if embedded pictures are more than 300dpi
For printing, high resolution data is needed to print. Usually 350dpi with the actual size is needed.
9. Check if all pictures are embedded
To prevent the lack of picture or missing link, all pictures within the design data should be embedded.
https://gyazo.com/9c144b97ef336d2781ca251df4712628
Select picture and choose embed from link panel window
https://gyazo.com/5f1669bec61c175ad469854204a494c0
If this mark is displayed, the picture is embedded.
10. Check if “Over Print” is properly set
Overprint is used to prevent misalignment when several objects are overlaid. Using over print function without understanding properly may cause printing error.
https://gyazo.com/ff8cfe4fcbe4d46a8d70b5fe118a9351
Choose display > Over Print Preview
https://gyazo.com/884888987b1a474b14fe00b4d89fdbf8
The sample of trouble when setting of overprint was mistaken
11. Save format as PDF X-4
When submitting data, save data as PDF X-4 format.
https://gyazo.com/f99322e2f191b1b7868a6e6336643df1