Check a file before printing
Example on a flyer
About this tool
Upload a PDF to see whether it is ready to print, before the printer calls back.
Use it when
- Sending flyers, catalogues or boxes to print
- The printer says the file has errors, not which
- Made it in Canva and want it to print right
- Your file stays on your device
- Reads files up to 100 MB
- No sign-up
A correct design can still print wrong
Screen color is not ink color
A screen glows in three RGB colors; a press lays down four CMYK inks. Bright screen colors such as green, orange and pink often print duller.
Sharp on screen, broken on paper
A 72 ppi image looks crisp on screen, but printing at full size needs about 300. Images taken from the web or from screenshots usually fall short.
The cutter drifts a few millimeters
No guillotine cuts perfectly. A background that touches the edge without extending 3 mm beyond it leaves a white sliver on the finished piece.
What people often ask
Is this design file ready for the printer?
A file is ready for print when colors are in CMYK, the four ink colors, not screen RGB; images reach about 300 pixels per inch at print size; the background runs past the trim line so no white edge shows; and fonts are embedded. The tool reads your PDF and lists what is missing.
Is my file sent anywhere?
No. The file is read inside your browser and is not uploaded to any server. Close the page and it is gone.
Which files can it read?
PDFs exported from Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Canva, Word or CorelDRAW, up to 100 MB. Password-protected files cannot be read.
If everything says OK, can I send it to print?
These five checks catch most common file errors. Your printer may still have its own requirements, such as a color profile, sheet size or crop mark layout; check with them before you sign off.