What is a preflight (automatic file) check?
In short
A preflight check is an automatic test of a print file before it is printed, looking for problems such as the wrong size, missing bleed, RGB colour, low-resolution images or missing fonts.
Preflight is the printing word for checking a file before it goes to print, in the same way a pilot runs checks before take-off. At fPrint it happens automatically and free of charge: every file is checked as soon as it uploads.
What our automatic check covers
| Check | What it looks for |
|---|---|
| Size | The page matches the product's trim size plus bleed |
| Bleed | Artwork extends past the trim line |
| Colour mode | The file is CMYK rather than RGB |
| Resolution | Images are sharp enough for the printed size |
| Fonts | Fonts are embedded or outlined |
You then see an on-screen proof with the trim line, bleed and safe area marked, and approve it before you pay.
What it can't check
An automatic check reads how a file is built, not what it says. It can't tell whether a name is spelt correctly, a phone number is right, a date is current or a photo is the one you meant. Read every word on your proof before approving it.
If the check finds a problem
Upload a corrected file, or add a manual proof and a person will look at your file with you, for the fee shown in the basket. Setting your file up as a print-ready PDF from the start, using our templates, is the surest way to pass first time. Our artwork set-up guide walks through each check.