9. PDF readiness

The "Print readiness" report checks whether a PDF is technically ready for press. It runs deterministic file checks — no AI judgment. Use it before sending artwork to the printer.

This chapter is mainly for print/pre-press and designers.

9.1 Open the report

1. Open the proof (a PDF) and select its "AI" tab.
2. Select "Print readiness". The empty state reads: "Check print readiness — 14 checks — color mode, bleed, DPI, fonts, ink coverage, overprint, safe zones, and more."
3. Select "Run check".

9.2 Read the report

Every check returns one of three states: "pass", "warn", or "fail".

• "pass" — no action needed.
• "warn" — check it. It may be acceptable for your print process.
• "fail" — fix it before printing.

The report sections:

• "File overview" — "Filename", "Pages", "File size", "Created with", "PDF engine", "PDF version".
• "Page overview" — "Bleed" and "DPI" per page.
• "Color spaces" — the report explains: "CMYK — print inks. RGB — screen colors, not for press. Spot — pre-mixed inks. ICC — embedded profile."
• "Sampled colors" — colors sampled from the artwork.
• "Ink separations" — the ink channels in the file, including spot inks.

9.3 The checks

The report screen advertises "14 checks"; the table below lists every named check we have verified in the underlying engine.

Check	What it verifies	Default expectation
Color Mode	The file uses print inks, not screen colors.	CMYK or spot. RGB fails: "RGB — NOT Print Ready". Mixed modes need review.
Bleed	Artwork extends past the trim edge.	3 mm (5 mm for corrugated).
Image Resolution	Placed images are sharp enough for print.	Minimum 300 DPI. 350 recommended. Flexo: 150.
Spot Colors	Spot inks (for example Pantone) are defined correctly.	Named spot swatches.
Technical Layers	Dielines, cut, crease, and perforation layers are set as non-printing.	Recognized structural layers.
Fonts	All fonts are embedded or subset.	No missing fonts.
Ink Coverage	Total ink (TAC) is within press limits.	Maximum 320% (corrugated 240/220).
PDF Standard	The file declares a print standard.	PDF/X.
Overprint	Overprint settings will not cause missing elements.	No risky overprints.
Safe Zone	Text and important content stay inside the safe margin.	5 mm (corrugated 10 mm).
Hairlines	No lines too thin to print.	No hairlines.
ICC Profile	A color profile / output intent is embedded.	Profile present.
Annotations	No leftover comments or markup objects in the file.	None.
PDF Health	The file structure is valid.	No corruption.
Vector/Raster	Expected elements are vector, not flattened raster.	Vector text and lines.

Note: ink coverage and ink separation analysis depend on server tooling. The "File overview" shows their availability ("Available" / "Not installed"). If they show as unavailable, those rows will be empty — contact support.

9.4 A pre-press workflow

1. When a proof is finalized (chapter 4), open "Print readiness" on the final version.
2. Resolve every "fail". Common fixes: convert RGB images to CMYK, add bleed, embed fonts, reduce TAC.
3. Judge each "warn" against your printer's specification sheet. A warning is not always a problem.
4. Upload the corrected file as a new version, and run the report again.
5. Keep the passing report with the finalized proof as your handoff record to the printer.