Exporting Artwork for Print in Adobe Illustrator

Exporting artwork for print in Adobe Illustrator ensures that your designs maintain high quality and are ready for professional printing. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to export artwork for print:

1. Finalize Your Artwork:

   • Before exporting, make sure your artwork is finalized and ready for printing. Check for any errors, adjust colors if necessary, and ensure that all elements are properly positioned.

2. Set Up Document Bleed and Margins:

   • If your design includes elements that extend to the edge of the page (bleed), ensure that your document includes bleed area.
   • Go to File > Document Setup, then enter the desired bleed value in the "Bleed" section. The standard bleed size is typically 0.125 inches (3 mm) on each side.
   • Set up any necessary margins to ensure that important content is not too close to the edge of the page.

3. Choose the Correct File Format:

   • For print, the preferred file format is usually PDF (Portable Document Format), as it maintains vector quality and is widely supported by printing services.
   • Go to File > Save As, then choose "Adobe PDF" from the "Save as type" dropdown menu.

4. Configure PDF Settings:

   • After selecting Adobe PDF as the file format, click on the "Save" button. This will open the Adobe PDF options dialog box.
   • Choose the appropriate preset from the dropdown menu. For most print projects, "High Quality Print" or "Press Quality" presets are suitable.
   • Review the settings to ensure they meet your print requirements. Pay attention to options like compression, marks and bleeds, and color conversion.

5. Include Printer's Marks and Bleeds:

   • If your design requires printer's marks (crop marks, registration marks, etc.) and bleeds, make sure to check the corresponding boxes in the Marks and Bleeds section of the PDF options.
   • Ensure that the bleed settings match the bleed area you set up in your document setup.

6. Convert Fonts to Outlines (Optional):

   • To ensure font compatibility and prevent font substitution issues, you can convert text to outlines before exporting.
   • Select all text objects in your artwork, then go to Type > Create Outlines. This converts text to vector shapes.

7. Save and Export:

   • Once you've configured all the settings, click the "Save PDF" button to export your artwork.
   • Choose a location to save the PDF file and give it a descriptive name.
   • Review the exported PDF file to ensure that it looks as expected and that all elements are included.

8. Additional Considerations:

   • If you're printing with a professional printing service, it's a good idea to consult their guidelines for file preparation and submission.
   • Double-check color settings to ensure they match the color profile recommended by your printer or printing service.
   • If your artwork includes raster images, make sure they are high-resolution (typically 300 dpi) for print.

By following these steps, you can effectively export your artwork for print in Adobe Illustrator, ensuring that your designs are ready for high-quality printing. Always review the exported file and communicate with your printer or printing service to ensure that your artwork meets their requirements and specifications.