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Why Learn Print Basics?

Designing for print is fundamentally different from designing for screens. Understanding these core concepts will help you:
  • Avoid costly mistakes like cut-off text or white borders
  • Communicate effectively with print shops and clients
  • Produce professional results on the first try
  • Save time and money on reprints and corrections
New to printing? Don’t worry! This guide explains everything in simple terms with visual examples. You’ll be a print pro in no time!

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The 5 Essential Print Concepts

1. Bleed

Extra space around your design to prevent white edges after cutting

2. Crop Marks

Lines that guide the printer’s cutting machine

3. Safety Zone

The area where important content must stay

4. DPI/Resolution

How sharp and clear your prints will look

5. Multi-Page

How to handle documents with multiple pages
Understanding the differences between screen and print design is crucial:

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Color

Screen (RGB)Print (CMYK)
Light-based - Emits lightInk-based - Reflects light
16.7 million colorsFewer colors (smaller gamut)
Brighter, more vibrantMore subdued, realistic
Red, Green, BlueCyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Key Takeaway: Colors always look slightly different when printed. This is physics, not a mistake!

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Resolution

ScreenPrint
72-96 PPI typical300 DPI minimum
PixelsDots of ink
Can be low-resMust be high-res
Zoom doesn’t matterFixed size
An image that looks great on screen may be too low-resolution for print!

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Physical Constraints

Print has unique physical limitations:
Industrial cutting machines can be off by 1-2mm. That’s why we need:
  • Bleed: Extra space to cut into
  • Safety zone: Keep important content safe
  • Crop marks: Guide accurate cutting
  • Different papers absorb ink differently
  • Colors can shift based on paper type
  • Coated vs uncoated paper shows colors differently
  • Designs near edges are vulnerable
  • Folding stresses certain areas
  • Finishes (gloss, matte) affect appearance

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The Print Design Workflow

Here’s the typical process for creating print-ready files:
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1. Design in Figma

Create your design with proper dimensions including bleed
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2. Prepare for Print

  • Check image resolution (≥300 DPI)
  • Verify all content is in safe area
  • Convert special fonts if needed
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3. Configure Export Settings

  • Set up bleed and crop marks
  • Choose CMYK color profile
  • Set resolution to 300 DPI
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4. Export PDF

Generate print-ready PDF with Print for Figma
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5. Verify PDF

Check that everything exported correctly
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6. Send to Printer

Upload or deliver file to print shop
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7. Approve Proof

Review digital or physical proof before full run

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Common Print Terminology

Extra area beyond the final trim size. Typically 3mm (0.125”).
The final size of your printed piece after cutting.
Area where important content (text, logos) should stay. Usually 3mm inside the trim line.
Lines printed outside the design to guide cutting.
Crosshair marks used to align multiple color plates.
Measurement of print resolution. 300 DPI is standard.
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black - the four ink colors used in printing.
A single, premixed ink color for brand accuracy.
When one ink prints on top of another instead of knocking out.
ISO standard for print-ready PDF files.

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Visual Guide: Anatomy of a Print File

Here’s what a properly prepared print file looks like: 
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  ┌─ Crop Marks (cutting guides)         │
│  │                                       │
│  │  ┌─────────────────────────────┐  ┐  │
│  │  │░░░░░░░░░ Bleed Zone ░░░░░░░│  │  │
│  │  │░┌───────────────────────┐░░│  │  │
│  ↓  │░│                       │░░│ 3mm │
│     │░│   ┌───────────────┐   │░░│  │  │
│     │░│   │  Safety Zone  │   │░░│  ↓  │
│     │░│   │               │   │░░│     │
│     │░│   │  [Your        │   │░░│ Trim│
│     │░│   │   Design]     │   │░░│ Size│
│     │░│   │               │   │░░│     │
│     │░│   │               │   │░░│  │  │
│     │░│   └───────────────┘   │░░│  │  │
│     │░│       ↑ 3mm margin    │░░│  │  │
│     │░└───────────────────────┘░░│  │  │
│     │░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│  │  │
│     └─────────────────────────────┘  ↓  │
│                                          │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
Key Areas:
  1. Bleed Zone (outer): Design extends here to prevent white edges
  2. Trim Size (middle): Where the paper will be cut
  3. Safety Zone (inner): Where important content must stay
  4. Crop Marks (outside): Guide the cutting process

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Quick Reference Card

Save this for when you’re preparing print files:
ElementStandard ValuePurpose
Bleed3mm (0.125”)Prevent white edges
Safety Zone3mm insetProtect content from cutting
Resolution300 DPIEnsure sharp output
Color ModeCMYKMatch printer inks
Black TextK100 (pure black)Crisp text
Min Text Size6pt (8pt recommended)Readability
PDF FormatPDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4Print compatibility

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Different Types of Print Projects

Each type of print project has specific requirements:
  • Small Format
  • Large Format
  • Multi-Page
  • Packaging
Examples: Business cards, postcards, flyers
  • Bleed: 3mm standard
  • Min text: 8pt recommended
  • Paper: 300-350gsm for cards
  • Finishes: Matte, gloss, UV spot

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Before You Start Any Print Project

Ask yourself these questions:
Know the exact trim size before you start designing.
Different materials affect color and design choices.
Consider using spot colors for critical brand colors.
Closer viewing requires higher resolution and smaller details.
UV coating, embossing, foil require special preparation.
Higher quantities often mean lower per-unit costs.

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Learn Each Concept in Depth

Now that you understand the overview, dive deep into each concept:

Understanding Bleed

Why we need extra space and how to set it up correctly

Crop Marks Guide

What they are and when to use them

Safety Zone Explained

Protecting your content from the blade

DPI & Resolution

Ensuring your prints are sharp and clear

Multi-Page Documents

Working with booklets and catalogs

Color Management

RGB to CMYK and ICC profiles

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Top 5 Print Mistakes:
  1. No bleed - Results in white edges or cut-off design
  2. Low resolution - Pixelated, blurry output
  3. Text too close to edge - Gets cut off during trimming
  4. Wrong color mode - RGB files to print
  5. Tiny text - Unreadable when printed

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Pro Tips for Success

Always Order a Proof: For important projects, get a test print before ordering hundreds. It’s worth the extra cost.
Communicate with Your Printer: Ask questions! Professional printers are happy to help ensure your files are correct.
Save Your Settings: Once you have working settings for a project type, save them as a preset.
Keep Originals: Always keep your Figma source files. You might need to make changes later.

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Ready to Learn More?

Next: Understanding Bleed in Detail

Let’s start with the most important concept - bleed. Click to learn everything about it!
Still confused? That’s okay! Print design has a learning curve. Join our Discord community where friendly designers can answer your questions.