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File Saving: Illustrator

Checklist

1. Download & Install PrintingCenterUSA’s Adobe PDF Settings
2. Save PDF

1. Download & Install PrintingCenterUSA’s PDF Preset

a. Click here to download the PrintingCenterUSA preset.
b. In Illustrator, click: Edit > Adobe PDF Presets
c. Click Import, then select the PrintingCenterUSA.joboptions file. Click Open.

2. Save PDF

a. In the top menu, click: File > Save As
b. In the Format dropdown, select Adobe PDF (pdf). Click Save

c. In the Save Adobe PDF window, change the Adobe PDF Preset dropdown to the PrintingCenterUSA preset you downloaded in step 1. Save.

File Packaging: Illustrator

PrintingCenterUSA requires a PDF file to be submitted for printing. However, if there are issues with fonts or images loading, our prepress department may ask you to send a packaged file. If that is the case, then follow the steps below to package your files properly.

Checklist

1. Convert Fonts to Outlines
2. Embed Links
3. Select Package Options

1. Convert Fonts to Outlines

Use the selection tool to select all of your text by clicking it. Then Click: Type > Create Outlines.

2. Embed Links

Select your linked image so the “Linked File” bar will show up above the toolbar. Click Embed.

3. Select Package Options

From the top menu, click: File > Package. Check the following options:

a. Copy Links
b. Collect links in separate folder
c. Relink linked files to document
d. Copy fonts used in document

Click “Package” to finish.

File Saving: InDesign

Checklist

1. Download & Install PrintingCenterUSA’s Adobe PDF Preset
2. Save PDF

1. Download & Install PrintingCenterUSA’s PDF Preset

a. Click here to download our settings.
b. In the top navigation of InDesign, click: File > Adobe PDF Presets > Define
c. Click Load, then select the PrintingCenterUSA.joboptions file. Open.

2. Save PDF

a. In the top menu Click: File > Export
b. In the Format section, select Adobe PDF (Print). This will prompt your Export Adobe PDF window to open.

c. In the Export Adobe PDF window, select the “PrintingCenterUSA” Adobe PDF Preset that you uploaded in step 1.

Note: Do not save your file with any printer’s marks, including crop marks and color registration bars.

File Packaging: InDesign

PrintingCenterUSA requires a PDF file to be submitted for printing. However, if there are issues with fonts or images loading, our prepress department may ask you to send a packaged file. If that is the case, then follow the steps below to package your files properly.

Checklist

1. Open Package Dialogue Box
2. Select Package Options

1. Open Package Dialogue Box

a. From the top menu, click: File > Package
b. In the Package Dialogue Box, click Package.

2. Select Package Options

In the Create Package Folder dialogue box, mark the following checkboxes:

a. Copy Fonts
b. Copy Linked Graphics
c. Include Fonts and Links from Hidden and Non-Printing Content
d. Include IDML
e. Include PDF (Print)

Click “Package” to finish.

File Saving: Overview

PrintingCenterUSA requires that you submit your art as a Print-Ready PDF. Click here to download and install our PrintingCenterUSA PDF Preset (for Adobe® programs only). You will be downloading a .zip folder. Double click the file to unzip the folder.

Select your program for a step by step tutorial on how to load our preset and/or save as a PDF: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva, Publisher, and Word.

Note: Do not reduce the size of your PDFs. Big file sizes are OK. We need the highest resolution to ensure that your files get printed with the best quality.

For a step-by-step tutorial on file saving, select from one of the following programs:
InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva, Publisher, and Word.

Have more questions? Check our File Saving FAQ.

Color Quality: Word

You cannot convert your color space in Word from RGB to CMYK. This will cause color shifts when our prepress department converts your file to CMYK. If this concerns you, try using Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign.

Color Quality: Publisher

You cannot convert your color space in Publisher from RGB to CMYK. This will cause color shifts when our prepress department converts your file to CMYK. If this concerns you, try using Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign.

Color Quality: Canva

By default, Canva will save your design in RGB color. We print in CMYK, which can cause some color shift in your final product. If you own Canva Pro, you can save your design in CMYK, which we recommend for best final results.

You will find the option for saving in RGB or CMYK under “File”>”Download”. In the menu, select the File type as “PDF Print”, select “Crop marks and bleed”, select “All pages”. The final option will be “Color Profile”, and will be set as “RGB (best for digital use)” by default. If you have Canva Pro, you can click on the dropdown and select “CMYK (best for professional printing)

Once finished selecting these options (insert image), click “Download” for your pdf file.

Color Quality: Photoshop

To ensure your price quote and design accuracy, it is crucial that the color you order matches the color of your PDF. Follow the steps below to check the color of your document in Photoshop.

Checklist

1. Download & Install Color Profile
2. Check that your Images are in CMYK
3. Check that your Document Color Mode is in CMYK

1. Download & Install PrintingCenterUSA Color Profile

First, Download our color profile here. You will be downloading a .zip folder. Double click the file to unzip the folder.

a. In Photoshop, go to Edit > Color Settings
b. In the Color Settings window, select “Load” and choose “PCUSA-load into color settings.csf” Click Save.

c. In the zip folder, double click PrintingCenterUSA.joboptions. Click “replace” if a caution window comes up. Click exit.

2. Check that your Image Mode is in CMYK

a. To check if your images are in CMYK, in the top menu bar Click: Window > Info.
b. Click on the image you are checking. If your image is in CMYK, it will say so. If it is in RGB, then you will need to replace the image (or the colors will print different than expected).