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The Number One Art File Mistake That Delays Printing, and How To Fix It

You can design a stunning postcard, but one tiny white sliver along the edge will make it look cheap in an instant. We see it all the time, and it is completely avoidable.

At Foote Printing, the most common error that slows jobs down or triggers reprints is simple, no bleed. When files arrive without bleeds, trimming tolerances can reveal thin white edges or force us to under trim, which pushes type uncomfortably close to the cut. I am Michael Duhr, and my team and I want to help you avoid those headaches with a few practical, print-ready habits.

Bleeds and Safe Zones, The Foundation of Print-Ready Files

If your design prints to the edge, extend background colors, images, and elements past the trim.

Add at least 0.125 inch bleed on all sides
Keep critical content, logos, and type at least 0.25 inch inside the trim, the safe zone

A proper bleed lets us trim cleanly even with slight mechanical variance. A proper safe zone keeps your message from crowding the edge if we must under trim to avoid a white sliver. You can give more bleed if you prefer, even 0.25 inch or more, especially useful for complex layouts.

Send the Right File Format and Resolution

For commercial printing, PDF is your best friend.

Export a print-ready PDF with bleeds turned on
Include crop marks if your workflow supports them
Avoid sending JPG or PNG as your only file, those often come in at 72 dpi and oversized, which prints poorly

If you have to use raster art, ensure it is 300 dpi at final size. Many online design tools default to low resolution and no bleeds, so double check export settings.

Outline or Embed Your Fonts

Missing or substituted fonts can break a design at the RIP stage.

Embed fonts in your PDF, or
Convert type to outlines before export

Outlining type turns it into vector shapes that will not reflow or substitute on another system. If you send native files, package everything, fonts and links included.

Convert to CMYK Before You Export

Screens show RGB color, presses print in CMYK. Bright oranges, electric blues, and neons can shift when converted.

Convert artwork to CMYK in your design file
Soft proof the CMYK preview to see the real print outcome

Doing this on your end helps align expectations and reduces surprises when you review a proof.

How We Help, and Why Prep Still Matters

We care about your deadline. If a postcard arrives with no bleed, we can often fix it by adding bleed and stepping the layout in InDesign, a quick step and repeat. That still takes time. On a 50 page booklet, rebuilding every page is not practical, which can delay approval and production. Designing it right and exporting properly keeps your project on schedule and on budget.

Quick Prepress Checklist From Our Team

Before you hit send, run through this list.

Bleed, 0.125 inch minimum on all sides
Safe zone, 0.25 inch inside trim for all important content
Color, convert all artwork to CMYK
Resolution, 300 dpi at final size for raster images
Fonts, embedded or outlined, or package fonts with native files
File format, print-ready PDF with bleeds, include crop marks if possible
Multi page projects, export as a single PDF in correct page order

Why This Matters To Your Brand

Clean edges, consistent color, and legible type are not small details. They signal quality. A white sliver or cramped copy is like nails on a chalkboard to any designer, and your audience notices. Getting bleeds, safe zones, fonts, and color right ensures your postcards, brochures, and booklets look as polished as you intended.

Talk To Foote Printing

Have questions about bleeds, safe zones, or CMYK conversions? Send us your file, and we will preflight it. If you want a quick walkthrough, schedule a consultation with Foote Printing, and we will set you up with a repeatable, print-ready export process. Let us help you move from upload to press smoothly, with results you will be proud to share.

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The Number One Art File Mistake That Delays Printing, and How To Fix It

Posted By Foote Printing
January 14, 2026 Category: General

You can design a stunning postcard, but one tiny white sliver along the edge will make it look cheap in an instant. We see it all the time, and it is completely avoidable. At Foote Printing, the most common error that slows jobs down or triggers reprints is simple, no bleed. When files arrive without bleeds, trimming tolerances can reveal thin white edges or force us to under trim, which pushes type uncomfortably close to the cut. I am Michael Duhr, and my team and I want to help you avoid those headaches with a few practical, print-ready habits. Bleeds and Safe Zones, The Foundation of Print-Ready Files If your design prints to the edge, extend background colors, images, and elements past the trim. Add at least 0.125 inch bleed on all sides Keep critical content, logos, and type at least 0.25 inch inside the trim, the safe zone A proper bleed lets us trim cleanly even with slight mechanical variance. A proper safe zone keeps your message from crowding the edge if we must under trim to avoid a white sliver. You can give more bleed if you prefer, even 0.25 inch or more, especially useful for complex layouts. Send the Right File Format and Resolution For commercial printing, PDF is your best friend. Export a print-ready PDF with bleeds turned on Include crop marks if your workflow supports them Avoid sending JPG or PNG as your only file, those often come in at 72 dpi and oversized, which prints poorly If you have to use raster art, ensure it is 300 dpi at final s