How to send print-ready files to a printing house
Print-ready artwork is large because it carries full-resolution images, embedded fonts, and bleed. It has to arrive complete and unmodified, which rules out anything that recompresses files or silently drops linked assets.
What goes to the printer
- print-ready PDF with bleed and crop marks
- packaged layout files with linked images and fonts
- full-resolution TIFF or PSD for large format
- colour profiles and proofing references
- a specification sheet describing paper, format, and finishing
A large-format job or a catalogue can easily reach several gigabytes, which is far past email and awkward for tools that limit uploads.
Delivering the job
- Package the layout so that all links and fonts are included.
- Export the print-ready PDF according to the printer specification.
- Put everything into one folder, named with the job and the date.
- Upload the folder and generate the link.
- Set an expiration that covers the whole production run, not just approval.
- Send the link together with the specification.
Common failures and how to avoid them
| Problem | Cause | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Missing images at output | Links not packaged | Package the document before sending |
| Wrong colours | Missing profile | Include the colour profile |
| Reprint requested weeks later | Transfer expired | Use storage or a long expiration |
| Recompressed artwork | Sent through a messaging app | Use a transfer link |
| Unclear which version is final | Multiple sends | One shared folder per job |
For agencies printing regularly
A shared folder per printing house turns delivery into a routine: the agency uploads, the printer collects, and both sides see the same current files.
Because reprints are often requested months later, keeping jobs in storage rather than in expiring transfers saves recreating artwork from local archives.
FAQ
How do I send a large print PDF to a printing house?
Upload it to a transfer service and send the link. Free transfers cover 20 GB, which is enough for most print jobs.
Why should I not send artwork through messaging apps?
They recompress files, which destroys print quality and can drop embedded data.
How long should the link stay active?
Long enough to cover the whole production run and any reprint. Paid plans allow custom expiration or none at all.
Summary
Print delivery must arrive complete and untouched. Package the job, upload the whole folder, use a link rather than an app that recompresses, and keep jobs in storage so that reprints months later do not require rebuilding the artwork.