Print Layout

Print failures are paid for twice: once for the ruined run, once for the reprint. The classic disasters - content cut off at the trim, colors that shifted from screen to press, files rejected at prepress - are all preventable with numbers known before the file is built. This skill takes a design to print without those surprises.

Inputs to collect

1. Trim size - the final cut dimensions. No default; this must come from the user or the printer's spec sheet.
2. Printer's specifications - ask for the spec sheet or at minimum: required PDF standard, ICC profile, ink limit, and bleed requirement. If unavailable, use the defaults below and label the file "pending printer confirmation".
3. Print method - offset, digital, or large-format. This sets resolution and color decisions.
4. Color-critical? - brand colors or product photography that must match. If yes, plan a hard proof from the start.

Operating procedure

Follow the steps in order - color and type decisions depend on the document setup, and the checklist only means something after everything upstream is done.

Step 1: Set up the document