Technical Questions

Use this page when you are preparing a PDF for print and want to understand what NowToPrint checks, what stays under your control, and when PDF Tools will route the job for review instead of changing the file.

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File Formats

Which file formats can I upload?

Format	Status	Recommended use
PDF/X-4	Preferred	Professional print workflows
PDF	Accepted	General print jobs
PNG	Accepted	Logos and transparent-background images
JPG/JPEG	Accepted	Photos
SVG	Accepted	Vector artwork
TIFF	Accepted	High-quality raster artwork
Word (.docx)	Not accepted	Export to PDF first
Excel (.xlsx)	Not accepted	Export to PDF first

What is the maximum file size?

It depends on the PDF Tools flow:

Flow	Current guardrail
Design JSON export	Up to 200 design pages by default; production JSON request bodies are capped at 15 MB.
Batch PDF requests	JSON request body capped at 5 MB, up to 500 data rows, and returned ZIP capped at 50 MB.
Rust PDF generation	100 generated pages is the default and hard cap, with hard caps for blocks, table rows, text, and bytes.
Large-file work	Streaming is engine-safety and future-flow groundwork, not a blanket public upload-size promise.

For very large multi-page jobs, use the guided upload flow and keep the original export settings available in case supplier review asks for them.

Which PDF standard should I use?

For most professional jobs, choose PDF/X-4. It preserves live transparency and late-binding color intent so the supplier or RIP can make the final production decision with the right device profile.

Full PDF requirements guide ->

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Resolution And DPI

What DPI do I need for print?

Use case	Minimum DPI	Recommended DPI
Brochure, catalog, business card	300 DPI	300 DPI
Poster viewed up close	150 DPI	200 DPI
Billboard viewed from distance	72 DPI	100 DPI
Specialty digital print	300 DPI	300 DPI

How can I check image resolution?

Upload the PDF to NowToPrint and run a PDF Tools check. The report flags low-resolution or suspicious raster content with page references and recommended next actions.

You can also inspect the source file in Acrobat, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, or the design application that produced the PDF.

Can NowToPrint improve a low-resolution image?

No. PDF Tools does not promise to invent missing pixels or silently rewrite raster content. If an image is too low resolution, the best fix is to replace it in the source design file, reduce its print size, export a new PDF, and reupload.

DPI and resolution guide ->

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Color Intent

Should I use CMYK or RGB?

PDF/X-4 can carry late-binding color intent. That means RGB, CMYK, spot colors, OutputIntent, and ICC profile evidence must be interpreted together for the target production workflow.

PDF Tools reports color risks and routes uncertain jobs for supplier or RIP review. It does not force RGB or spot colors into CMYK inside the uploaded PDF.

My PDF contains RGB content. What should I do?

1. Define print intent in the source application and export PDF/X-4 when possible.
2. Run a PDF Tools report and review the OutputIntent, color inventory, and workflow compatibility.
3. If the report asks for review, route the job to the supplier/RIP or reupload a corrected source PDF.

Can I use Pantone or other spot colors?

Spot colors can be valid production intent. PDF Tools reports spot and technical separations, but it does not merge, rename, or convert separations. The supplier or RIP decides how those channels are produced.

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Bleed, Trim, And Safe Zones

What is bleed?

Bleed is artwork that extends beyond the trim edge so tiny cutting movement does not leave a white edge. A common value is 3 mm on each side.

What should I do when the report says bleed is missing?

Open the source design file, extend the artwork beyond the trim edge, export a new PDF with bleed included, and reupload. PDF Tools can detect and report the risk; it does not synthesize new artwork for you.

Bleed guide ->

What is a safe zone?

Keep important text, logos, and barcodes inside the safe zone so trimming does not cut them off. Many products use at least 5 mm inside the trim edge, but the exact value depends on the product and supplier.

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Fonts

How do I embed fonts?

Enable "embed all fonts" or "subset fonts" when exporting the PDF from your design application.

Should I outline fonts?

Usually no. Embedding the font is the safer first choice because it preserves text semantics. PDF Tools reports missing fonts and glyph risks; it does not outline, substitute, convert, or silently embed fonts inside the uploaded PDF.

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Transparency And RIP Review

Are transparent objects a problem?

Modern PDF/X-4 workflows support live transparency. Older RIP workflows may need review. PDF Tools reports transparency and overprint risk and can route the job for proof or supplier/RIP review.

Does NowToPrint flatten transparency?

No. NowToPrint does not flatten transparency, generate trapping, mutate overprint, or rewrite separations. Those decisions remain explicit supplier/RIP or source-file actions.

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PDF Tools Report

How do I know whether my file is ready?

1. Upload the PDF.
2. Run a PDF Tools check.
3. Read the report and next action: continue, proof, route for review, or reupload.

What does PDF Tools do with issues?

Finding type	Typical next action
Low-resolution image	Replace source image or reduce print size
Missing font evidence	Re-export with embedded fonts
Missing bleed artwork	Fix in the source design file and reupload
Color/RIP uncertainty	Supplier/RIP review or measured proof
Unsupported evidence	Treat as not production-ready until reviewed

PDF Tools is intentionally preserve-first: it detects, reports, routes, proofs, and asks for reupload when the right fix belongs in the source document or external production workflow.

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