Preparing Your Design for Print (Export)

The public artwork canvas and its old Export menu are disabled. Use the source application that owns your artwork to export a PDF; inspect an existing PDF with PDF Tools. The steps below are preparation guidance, not instructions to find a current PDF/X-1a preset or JPEG download button in the retired editor.

Why Can't We Print from an Image Format?

Raster images can be printed when their effective resolution, color/profile and production requirements are appropriate. JPEG/PNG are not restricted to social media and a press does not choose ink randomly because a file is JPEG. However, rasterizing an entire design can remove vector text, separations, page boxes and other evidence a production workflow needs.

PDF is a container: it may hold vector and raster content. Exporting to PDF alone does not create detail, embed every missing font or prove PDF/X conformance.

Exporting a PDF/X-Oriented File for Review

1. In the owning design application, confirm finished size, orientation, pages, bleed artwork and required font licenses.
2. Select a PDF export appropriate to the agreed workflow. PDF/X-4 can retain live transparency and color intent; use a legacy PDF/X-1a/flattened route only when the external production specification explicitly requires it.
3. Preserve the intended RGB/CMYK, spot channels and ICC/OutputIntent evidence. Do not assume NowToPrint silently converts color, substitutes/outlines fonts, flattens transparency or creates trapping.
4. Add crop marks only if the supplier requires them. Their presence does not create bleed artwork or prove correct TrimBox/BleedBox geometry; keep marks outside required content.
5. Open the exact exported PDF, check pages/content/boxes, and run the applicable preflight. Resolve missing evidence, proof or source-reupload requests before production review.

A PDF/X label, crop-mark crosshair or successful download is a review signal rather than certification or release. Keep source and output versions separately so approval stays bound to the correct file.

Choose an export that preserves the original design data and verify the exact result. NowToPrint does not silently convert RGB or spot colours; any separately offered named operation requires explicit selection and output review.

Sharing on Screen or Social Media

PNG can preserve transparency; JPEG uses lossy compression. Choose a raster format for an agreed screen/image use, inspect the dimensions and avoid repeated lossy saving. A preview image is not the production master. A source photo can still be valid print artwork within a properly prepared document.

Screen print simulation, if provided by your source/proofing application, depends on display, profile and viewing conditions. It does not prove an actual color conversion or final press result. Use the supplier's agreed proofing process for color acceptance.

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