Exporting for Print

Exporting designs correctly from Adobe software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is crucial to ensure high-quality output for different purposes, whether it's for print, web, or social media. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best settings for each use case.

Exporting for Print

• Best File Formats: PDF
• Color Mode: CMYK
• Resolution: 300 DPI

Exporting Print Materials from Adobe Illustrator

Step 1: Open your design file in Adobe Illustrator.

Step 2: Ensure your document color mode is set to CMYK (File > Document Color Mode > CMYK Color).

Step 3: Go to File > Save As or File > Export (depending on the required format).

Step 4: How to Export

• PDF: Best for professional printing. Select Adobe PDF (Print), then click Save.
• In the Adobe PDF Preset dropdown, choose High-Quality Print or Press Quality.
• Check Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities if you want to retain editability.

• Embed fonts by selecting Subset Fonts when the percent of characters used is less than 100%.

• Under Compression, set images to 300 ppi for best quality.

• Click Save PDF.

Review the exported file in Acrobat or another preview tool before sending it to the printer or the client for review.

Exporting Print Materials with Bleed Marks

Step 1: Ensure your document has a bleed (File > Document Setup > Bleed) and set to whatever is needed in the design specs for what you are designing (there should be at least 0.125 inches on print designs). Some designs require larger bleed areas.

Step 2: Go to File > Save As and choose PDF.

Step 3: Under Marks and Bleeds, check Trim Marks and Use Document Bleed Settings.

Step 4: Click Save PDF.

Step 5: Open the exported PDF in Acrobat to confirm bleed marks are included before sending it to print.

Exporting Print Materials from Canva

Step 1: Open your design in Canva.

Step 2: Click on the Share button in the top right corner.

Step 3: Select Download from the dropdown menu.

Step 4: Choose PDF Print for the best quality.

• Ensure Crop Marks & Bleed is checked if needed.
• Select CMYK Color Profile

Step 5: Click Download, and your print-ready file will be saved to your device.

Step 6: Review the file before sending it to print/the client to ensure all elements appear correctly.