Sending files and the preflight check

1. Open Send files.
2. Choose your file (up to 95 MB), add the job number if you have one, and any notes.
3. Send it. Our prepress team is told straight away.

The preflight check

Most files are checked automatically, usually within a few minutes. You'll see the result on the page and by email:

• Passed: nothing to do.
• Warnings: things worth checking, such as low-resolution images. We can usually print as is.
• Errors: things that will print badly. Each one comes with a plain explanation and how to fix it. Fix the file and send it again, or reply to the email and we'll help.

Tips: send print-ready PDF (PDF/X-4 is ideal), include bleed (usually 0.125 in) and embed all fonts.

Instant check

Where it's switched on, a PDF gets a quick automatic check while you wait, so the file's page opens with a first answer: looks ready to print, our prepress team can fix what we found, or needs something from you. The full check follows a few minutes later.

We can fix it for you

Some problems can be fixed automatically, such as RGB colors, very thin lines, transparency and missing bleed. When your file has one of them, its page offers Fix it for me. Tick the box to agree, and a fixed copy is checked again and shows as a new file. Fixes can change how the page looks a little, so you'll see a proof before anything prints.

Page previews

When our system has made them, small pictures of each page show on the file's page. The solid line is where the page is trimmed; the dashed line is the bleed, which is cut off.

Order forms

For standard products, Order forms (when your account has them) ask for exactly what we need, such as quantity and the name on a business card, and check your answers before your file goes to production. Each order takes one file: to send several, combine them into one PDF, or send one order for each.

For your designer

Drummond's preflight profile and export settings, when we've published them, are under For your designer on Send files. Your designer can check files with the same settings we use before sending them.

Files from Drummond

Files your Drummond team shares with you, such as brand guides or final art, are under Files from Drummond. Choose a file to download it.

Brand kit

Where it's switched on, Brand kit keeps your logos, approved templates, brand guide and brand colors (with hex, CMYK and Pantone values) in one place for everyone at your company and your Drummond team. Your portal administrators add and remove them.