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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.