The final quarter of the year is also the peak sales season for both retail and ecommerce brands. This critical time has the potential to drive a large portion of revenue in a short period of time. During this time, customer expectations rise and so does the need for seamless execution. Be it campaign prep, marketing collaterals or just business meetings necessities, everything requires a well-planned strategy to ensure your brand is prepared for the surge in product demand, smooth campaign activities and excellent customer experience. Part of this preparation includes getting your print materials ready early, ensuring every detail – from design to delivery– supports a seamless and successful Q4. As printing often plays a pivotal role in campaign execution, preparing artwork files correctly can be all the difference in keeping timelines on track and avoiding last-minute setbacks.

 

Print specialist reviewing colour consistency in print

 

Why File Preparation Matters

One of the common issues during the printing process is delayed print approvals due to artwork errors. Properly prepared artwork files can help save valuable time in the approval process, helping you confirm print files and begin production without delay. Having incorrect or low resolution artwork can result in a lot of back and forth with your printer to prepare the correct files, re-design or edit files and even costly reprints, time consuming if it’s for bulk or corporate orders during the busy season. 

 

Common Reasons Artwork Gets Rejected

  • Missing bleed and safety margins

            Effect: Designs get cut off at the edges or there’s appearance of white lines at the edges

  • Low image resolution (<300 DPI)

           Effect: Blurred visuals on the printed product

  • Wrong colour mode (RGB instead of CMYK)

            Effect: Colour changes from original design

  • Text not outlined or embedded 

             Effect: Missing or garbled text

  • File format not print-ready (JPEG instead of PDF)

            Effect: Blurry prints or layout changes

 

correct file preparation for printing

 

File Preparation Checklist for Fast Approval

Once you have identified the common issues that can occur, use this checklist to make sure your file is print-ready.

  1. Set up file in CMYK colour mode

  2. Prepare 3mm bleed and 3mm safety margin

  3. Use minimum 300 DPI resolution

  4. Convert text & graphics to outlines

  5. Export file to PDF or format as requested by your printer

  6. Save crop marks on a separate layer

Bonus Tip: Ask your printer if they provide artwork templates to ensure correct artwork setup and avoid issues with file preparation.

 

Seek Out Design Services if Necessary

Designing isn’t everyone’s area of expertise and that’s perfectly fine. If you’re unsure of creating print-ready artwork on your own, consider working with a professional design service. Many printing companies, including Gogoprint, offer in-house design services and print file help– ensuring your artwork reflects your vision while meeting all print specifications. Partnering with a single provider for both design and printing also streamlines the process, reducing back-and-forth communication between multiple parties and minimizing the risk of potential errors. 

 

Extra Print Design Tips to Speed Up Approval

Before sending your artwork to print, take a final look to ensure everything is truly print-ready. Use these quick tips to avoid delays and printing issues:

  • Keep important text and graphics within the 3mm safety area

  • Use vector logos to maintain sharpness and avoid pixelation

  • Double-check spelling, contact details, and QR codes before submitting files

  • Use consistent colour profiles (Pantone/CMYK) across all files

  • Confirm colour accuracy with your printer if colour consistency is crucial

  • For multi-page or folded items (booklets, leaflets, calendars), confirm pagination order

  • Request for digital or online proofing for a final preview before printing

 

Conclusion

A few minutes of proper artwork preparation can equal numerous days saved in print production. Especially during the busy business season, even small delays in approval can disrupt production timelines and event planning. By preparing print-ready files early, you not only save valuable time but also ensure every campaign, event, and customer interaction runs seamlessly through to delivery.