Print formatting and exporting print ready files
99designs by Vista now offers an integrated print functionality. This new function allows designers to mark files as print-ready for VistaPrint, and for clients to process their orders directly on the VistaPrint platform.
What does the ‘Print ready badge mean?
All PDF files with stage set to ‘Final’ in print projects are automatically verified to make sure they are correctly formatted and match the print specifications listed in the project brief.
Clients can then send print-ready files to VistaPrint directly.
What do I do if there is an error with my file?
If you see a red error message after uploading a final PDF file, this means it does not match the print specifications for the project and cannot be printed by your client. You should make the necessary changes and then upload the file again.
Print specifications can be found both on the Overview tab under Print specifications as well as in the Activity tab at the start of the project.
These are some of the errors you might see and how to fix them:
Page mismatch error
If the number of pages in the PDF file does not match the template for that project category, you will see a page mismatch error message. Each category has a particular page format for printing.
For example, business cards in the US require the front and the back side of the business card to be uploaded as two pages in a single PDF file. So if a file for the front of the business card and a separate file for the back of the card are uploaded, these do not meet the print specifications, and you will see an error. In this case, you would need to export the file again, with both images as pages within the same file.
This template is for a US business cards and shows a horizontal layout with a 2-page file format.
This template is for a US Stand-up pouch and shows a horizontal layout with both front and back sides in a 1 page file format.
Page number requirements are different for each product category. They can also vary depending on the region. Make sure you check the correct file format at the start of each project.
You can find the print template at the top of the activity tab.
Page orientation error
If the vertical or horizontal orientation in the PDF file does not match the print template for that project category, you will see a page orientation error message. Each category has a particular orientation for printing depending on what the client selects in the brief.
For example, flyers in the US have both vertical and horizontal orientation options. So if a client chooses horizontal orientation in the brief but a file with a vertical orientation is uploaded as a final file, it will not meet the print specifications and you will see an error. In this case you would need to export the file and upload it to the project again, with the same orientation as the print template.
ZIP file uploads
A print-ready PDF file must be uploaded for print projects. If a ZIP file is uploaded and the stage set to ‘Final’ a warning message will be shown. Even if there is a PDF within the ZIP file, it cannot be printed by VistaPrint.
You must upload a non-zipped PDF file and set the stage to ‘Final’ so that it can be checked for printing.
You can still set ZIP files to Final and upload them to a project. But for print projects, we just need a PDF file too!
What’s next
We hope this helps you prepare fantastic, print-ready designs for your clients! If you still have questions or would like to understand more about Vista print requirements you can research out to our Designer Support Team .