Print-Ready Check
Check whether your PDF is ready for the printer — PDF/X, CMYK colour, embedded fonts and bleed. Free, no account needed.
Checking your files…
or drop your files here
Up to 10 PDF files at once
| File | Result | Action |
|---|
Your files are analysed in memory and deleted right after.
What we check
The requirements most printers ask for in a delivered PDF.
PDF/X standard
The ISO standard for graphic exchange (PDF/X-1a, X-3, X-4) with a colour output intent.
CMYK colour
Presses print in CMYK. RGB files shift colour, so we flag any RGB content.
Embedded fonts
All fonts must be embedded, otherwise the printer substitutes the wrong letters.
Image resolution
Print needs at least 300 dpi; low-resolution web images look grainy in print.
Bleed
Backgrounds that run to the edge need bleed so no white edges appear after trimming.
What “print-ready” actually looks like
The difference between a file the printer sends back and one that prints exactly as designed.
How does the print-ready check work?
Upload your PDF
Select one or more PDF files or drag them into the upload area. Up to 10 files at a time.
Automatic prepress check
We inspect every file for the PDF/X standard, CMYK colour, embedded fonts and bleed — exactly as a printer would.
See the results
You instantly see whether each file is print-ready. Not ready? Fix it with one click.
Frequently asked questions about print-ready PDFs
- What does “print-ready” mean?
- A print-ready PDF meets the technical requirements a professional printer needs: it follows the PDF/X standard, uses CMYK colour, has all fonts embedded and includes bleed where backgrounds run to the edge. Such a file prints exactly as you designed it, without surprises.
- Is this check free?
- Yes, the print-ready check is completely free and you do not need an account. Your files are analysed in memory and deleted right after. There is no limit on the number of checks.
- What is bleed and why does it matter?
- Bleed is extra image area (usually 3 mm) that extends beyond the final trim edge. Because cutting machines have a small tolerance, backgrounds without bleed can leave thin white edges after trimming. With bleed, the colour always runs cleanly to the edge.
- Why do fonts have to be embedded?
- If a font is not embedded, the printer’s system substitutes a different one. That shifts your letters, spacing and line breaks — your layout no longer matches your design. Embedding every font guarantees the printer sees exactly what you do.
- What is the difference between RGB and CMYK?
- RGB is the colour model for screens; CMYK is the model presses print with. RGB colours that have no CMYK equivalent shift when printed — bright blues and greens often look duller. Print-ready files are built in CMYK so the printed colour matches your expectation.
- My PDF is not print-ready. What now?
- No problem — click “Make print-ready” next to the file. We convert it to a PDF/X file with CMYK colour, embedded fonts and bleed, so you can send it straight to the printer.
Other free PDF tools
No account, no limits — just upload and go.