Preflight FAQ and information
Preflight in commercial print is the process of quality checking your file to ensure it is press ready.
These checks catch errors and potentially hidden issues that could cause delays, reprints, or poor results, long before it hits the press. At Rogue we have automated software that undertakes these checks, applies fixes, and informs our clients of any issues via email.
To learn more about these issues and how to fix them, scroll below.
What this means:
Preflight fail – we will ask for a file replacement. The trim size (document size) is incorrect from what we have quoted.
How to fix:
You need to ensure your PDF trim size (document size) is exactly as we have quoted. You may need to adjust your canvas/artboard/page size. See our 'artwork set up page' for further information and some tutorials based on the software you are using.
If you require a different finished size to what was quoted, you need to please advise us via email and we will have to issue a new quote.
What this means:
Preflight fail – we will ask for a file replacement. The trim size (document size) is incorrect from what we have quoted.
How to fix:
You need to ensure your PDF trim size (document size) is exactly as we have quoted. You may need to adjust your canvas/artboard/page size. See our 'artwork set up page' for further information and some tutorials based on the software you are using.
If you require a different finished size to what was quoted, you need to please advise us via email and we will have to issue a new quote.
What this means:
Preflight fail – we will ask for a file replacement. Your file needs to contain the correct number of pages.
Examples:
- If it is a double sided (CMYK 2) document, then the page count needs to be 2.
- If it is an 8pp (printed page) self-cover saddle stitched book, then the page count needs to be 8.
- If your file has separate covers (thicker covers), you need to split out your covers from the internal (text) pages in your file, and upload each component separately at the artwork upload prompt. Please note that your cover will need to be a 4 page file if it is CMYK 2 (printed both sides). Please do not supply spreads.
- If you have been quoted multiple kinds, and the file upload after order acceptance asks for 1 file - please combine all kinds into the one PDF.
How to fix:
Add / remove pages as needed. See our 'artwork set up page' for further information and some tutorials based on the software you are using.
What this means:
Preflight fail – we will ask for a file replacement. Your file needs to contain the all pages with same correct W x H (no rotation).
How to fix:
Rotate the relevant pages in your PDF accordingly. See our 'artwork set up page' for further information and some tutorials based on the software you are using.
What this means:
Preflight will pass this as a warning. It means there were spot / PMS colours detected in your file, and as part of preflight, all these will be converted to CMYK. Please note that converting Pantone / Spot / PMS colours to CMYK can cause colour variation from what you expect, so it is important that you check the proof that the system creates very carefully.
How to fix:
Convert all PMS / Spot colours to process / CMYK in your file.
NOTE: our preflight will fix this. We recommend you click ‘accept and continue’ to view the proof of the fixes.
What this means:
Preflight will pass this as a warning. It means there were RGB colour mode images or elements detected in your file, and as part of preflight, all these will be converted to CMYK. Please note that converting RGB colours to CMYK can cause colour variation from what you expect, so it is important that you check the proof that the system creates very carefully.
How to fix:
Convert all RGB colours to process / CMYK in your file.
NOTE: our preflight will fix this. We recommend you click ‘accept and continue’ to view the proof of the fixes.
What this means:
Preflight will pass this as a warning. It means there were RGB colour mode images or elements detected in your file, and as part of preflight, all these will be converted to CMYK. Please note that converting RGB colours to CMYK can cause colour variation from what you expect, so it is important that you check the proof that the system creates very carefully.
How to fix:
Convert all RGB colours to process / CMYK in your file.
NOTE: our preflight will fix this. We recommend you click ‘accept and continue’ to view the proof of the fixes.
What this means:
Preflight will pass this as a warning. It means your file contains areas of transparency or opacity. Most of the time our RIPs will process this without issue. However. We warn this because when we are not provided with a flattened file, issues can occur such as images or logos going missing behind block colours.
How to fix:
Flatten your file. See our 'artwork set up page' for further information and some tutorials based on the software you are using.
What this means:
Preflight will pass this as a warning. It means your file contains fonts that aren’t embedded, and our preflight will embed those that it can (some may have licensing restrictions) . Most of the time our RIPs will process this without issue. However. We warn this because when we are not provided with a flattened file, issues can occur.
How to fix:
Outline / convert to shape all fonts or flatten your file.
See our 'artwork set up page' for further information and some tutorials based on the software you are using.
NOTE: our preflight will attempt to fix this. We recommend you click ‘accept and continue’ to view the proof of the fixes.
What this means:
Preflight will pass this as a warning. It means your file contains text or objects that are either set as ‘overprint fill’ or are not set to knock out correctly (i.e. if you have white text on top of an image, the text may not print as expected as it technically needs to be cut out of the image – as for almost all our products, we don’t print with white ink. White is technically the paper colour.
The majority of the time our RIPs, and all modern RIPs, will process this without issue and it rarely causes a problem.
However. We warn this because when we are not provided with a flattened file, issues can occur.
How to fix:
Flatten your file. See our 'artwork set up page' for further information and some tutorials based on the software you are using.
If you are a graphic designer and the file needs to remain as vector elements, you can use shape building tools in Illustrator to correctly knock out objects and/or untick ‘overprint fill’ from Attributes in Illustrator.
What this means:
Your file had no bleed, the software forced bleed to enable the file to be produced
How to fix:
Bleed is essential in commercial print. It can be added in most design software (ensure you actually extend elements to bleed are then save out WITH bleed, and crops). See our 'artwork set up page' for further information and some tutorials based on the software you are using.
NOTE: our preflight will attempt to fix this. We recommend you click ‘accept and continue’ to view the proof of the fixes.
