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How do I prepare my PDF to print correctly?

Preparing your PDF correctly is essential to obtain a professional print.
At our print shop we use HD toner, so your file must be configured with the correct specifications for color, size, bleeds and margins.

Below we show you the complete guide to prepare your PDF before sending it.

1. Configure your document to final size

Your file must be created in the exact final size of the book:

  • Letter — 21.5 × 27.9 cm
  • Half Letter — 14 × 21.6 cm
  • Half Legal — 17 × 21.5 cm
  • Custom size (only with advisor)

📌 We don't resize files.
📌 An incorrect size will affect cutting, margins and design.

2. Add mandatory 3 mm bleeds

All pages must have 3 mm bleed on each side.

Example for Half Letter:
14 × 21.6 cm → 14.6 × 22.2 cm with bleed

Bleeds prevent white edges when cutting.

In addition to bleeding, your content must include safety margins of at least 7 mm inward.

This means:

  • Text: minimum 7 mm from edge
  • Page numbers: minimum 7 mm
  • Important elements (logos, titles): more than 7 mm
  • On facing pages (interiors), maintain the same measurement

📌 If text is too close to the edge, it may be cut off or look poorly centered.

4. Include crop marks

You can include crop marks, as long as:

  • They don't replace bleeding
  • They don't invade the useful area
  • They are well placed in the PDF

If you don't know how to add them, it's enough that your file has 3 mm bleed.

5. Colors in CMYK

Your PDF must be exported in CMYK, not RGB.

CMYK guarantees:

  • Real colors when printing
  • Uniform tones
  • Avoids unexpected changes

6. Minimum resolution of 300 dpi

Every PDF must contain:

  • Images at 300 dpi
  • Vector graphics (preferably)

Avoid pixelated or compressed WhatsApp images.

7. Embedded fonts or converted to curves

You can send your file in two ways:

✔ PDF with embedded fonts

or

✔ PDF with everything converted to curves/outlines

This avoids:

  • Font replacement
  • Text movements
  • Unexpected changes in styles or sizes

8. Interior: pages in order, one per sheet

The interior must come:

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • … successively

📌 Don't send signatures
📌 Don't send double pages except for covers

9. Complete cover with spine (if applicable)

The cover must come in a single PDF:

Complete cover = back cover + spine + front cover

To calculate the spine use:
👉 Spine calculation

To prepare the cover correctly:
👉 Prepare cover

🟩 InDesign (maximum recommendation)

  • Adobe PDF (Print)
  • PRESS quality
  • CMYK
  • 300 dpi
  • Bleeds: ACTIVATED
  • Crop marks: ACTIVATED

🟩 Illustrator

  • PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4
  • CMYK
  • 300 dpi
  • Bleeds activated

🟩 Canva

  • PDF for printing
  • Bleeds activated
  • Crop marks activated
  • Maximum quality

📌 We don't accept Canva files without exporting.

Final checklist to validate your PDF

Before sending your file, verify:

  • ✔ Correct final size
  • ✔ 3 mm bleeds
  • ✔ Internal margins: minimum 7 mm
  • ✔ CMYK
  • ✔ 300 dpi
  • ✔ Embedded fonts or curves
  • ✔ Ordered pages
  • ✔ Complete cover if it has spine
  • ✔ Correctly calculated spine
  • ✔ Images without pixelation
  • ✔ No accidental white borders

Also check:
👉 File configuration

Conclusion

Preparing your PDF correctly ensures a high quality print.
Follow this guide: use bleeds, 7 mm margins, CMYK, 300 dpi and the recommended export configurations.
A well-prepared PDF avoids errors, delays and guarantees a professional result.

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