What file format should I send for printing?
Send your artwork as a flattened PDF/X file to ensure reliable production results. This standard, defined by ISO 15930, locks in your CMYK color profiles and embeds all necessary fonts, preventing substitution errors. While you may prepare designs in vector or raster applications, the final submission must be a print-ready PDF. Do not send editable source files or RGB-based images, as these require manual conversion and risk color shifts. Confirm your specific PDF/X version with the printer, as requirements can vary slightly by facility.
Sources
- ISO 15930
- ISO 12647-2:2013 — Graphic technology: process control for offset lithographic processes