Print-Ready PDF Checker
Score your PDF against the exact checks real printers run before press.
Nothing flagged — your PDF clears every preflight check.
ⓘThis mirrors the preflight checks a real print partner runs on your files. It is a guide, not a guarantee — always order a printed proof before committing to a full run.
A file that looks fine on screen can still fail at the printer. This free print ready PDF checker walks you through the same pre-flight checks a real printer runs, then scores your file out of 100, so you catch problems before they cost you a reprint. It is the practical answer to how to prepare a print ready PDF, in a clear, jargon-free checklist.
Each check targets a common cause of rejected files: missing 3mm bleed, fonts that are not embedded, RGB instead of CMYK, low-resolution images, the wrong trim size, or pages exported as spreads. Work through this pdf preflight checklist honestly and you will know exactly what to fix. Used well, this print ready pdf checker means your first proof is far more likely to be right.
- Use a press-quality or PDF/X preset to hit most checks at once.
- Always view your exported PDF at 100% before sending it.
- When unsure, ask your printer to confirm their exact requirements.
- 01
Open the checklist
Review each pre-flight item, bleed, embedded fonts, CMYK, image resolution, trim size and page format, with a plain explanation of what it means.
- 02
Confirm each item
Check off the things your file passes and leave the rest. The tool is honest only if you answer based on your actual exported PDF.
- 03
Read your score
Get a print-ready score out of 100 and a clear list of what still needs fixing before you send the file to your printer.
Common questions
- How do I prepare a print-ready PDF?
- Export your file with 3mm bleed, all fonts embedded, images in CMYK at 300dpi, the correct trim size and pages as single pages rather than spreads. Use a press-quality PDF preset where possible. This checker lists each requirement so you can confirm your file meets them before sending it.
- What does CMYK mean and why does it matter?
- CMYK is the four-ink colour model printers use, while screens use RGB. If you send RGB files, colours can shift unpredictably on press, often looking duller or different from your screen. Converting to CMYK before export gives you a more accurate, predictable printed result, which is why printers check for it.
- Why do fonts need to be embedded?
- If a font is not embedded, a printer's system may substitute a different one, changing your layout and spacing. Embedding includes the font data inside the PDF so it prints exactly as designed. Outlining text achieves the same result. The checker flags this because missing fonts are a very common cause of errors.
- What resolution should images be for print?
- Images should be at least 300dpi at the size they appear on the page. Lower-resolution images that look sharp on screen can print blurry or pixelated. Avoid enlarging small web images. The checker includes a 300dpi check because image quality is one of the most noticeable issues in a finished book.
- Should I export single pages or spreads?
- Single pages, in reading order. Printers impose the pages themselves, so a file exported as facing-page spreads can cause errors and incorrect layout. Export your interior as single pages, and your cover as one flat spread. This checker treats single pages as a pass and spreads as something to fix.
Ready to print your book properly?
Run the numbers with our free tools, then print with real UK book printers.