Publishing, Exporting, and Archiving
Match the export to the destination
Know the common delivery targets and their requirements: print-ready PDF with correct marks, bleed, and colour; web and screen assets in appropriate raster formats at the right pixel dimensions; and editable source files when the client needs them. Understand bleed (art extending past the trim edge) and trim/crop marks, and why safe margins keep content away from edges.
Preflight and packaging
Preflight checks catch missing fonts, missing or low-resolution linked images, colour space problems, and overflow. Packaging collects the layout with its fonts and linked assets so another person can open it correctly. Understand embedding vs. linking and the trade-offs of each.
Archiving and handoff
Archiving means storing a complete, self-contained, clearly named copy of the final approved files plus assets and documentation. Know why you keep the editable master, the approved output, and a record of the settings used. Understand version control and why you never overwrite the only copy of an approved file.
Traps to watch
- Bleed omitted: background art stops at the trim and white slivers appear after cutting.
- RGB exported for print: colours shift on press.
- Missing links: a PDF may look fine while the source file has broken image links.
- Overwriting: saving over the approved master destroys the audit trail.
Rule of thumb
Export from a preflighted, packaged master; verify the output at 100 percent and check bleed, fonts, and colour; then archive the master, the output, and a short note of the settings used.