Quick Overview
Here are the key takeaways for preparing and uploading your files:
- Choose your product and specifications
- Download the correct template
- Build your file correctly
- Export a print-ready PDF
- Upload and review your files
Choose Your Product Specifications
If you’re creating your first order, start your quote before building your artwork. Your template and file requirements are generated from the options you select.
Choose the products you want to print from the All Products page, then add quotes to your shopping cart. Changes to size, binding, page count, or cover setup can affect pricing and file requirements.
Review available product options before starting your artwork, as different products require different setup requirements and templates. For example, a perfect-bound booklet requires a spine width as part of the cover design, while a saddle-stitched booklet does not.
Before exporting your files, check your product specifications to prevent production, delivery delays and common print issues.
Download the Correct Template
If you design your own files using an external design program, Mixam’s free downloadable templates help you meet the correct file requirements from the start. They are located under the Instant Quote Calculator and help prevent issues like incorrect sizing or missing bleed.
Templates typically include:
- Bleed area: where artwork extends beyond the trim edge to prevent white edges after trimming
- Quiet area: the area where key design elements should be positioned away from to avoid being cut
- Trim line: indicates the final page dimensions once cut
- Spine (if applicable): indicates where we will join the inner book block and outer covers
For hardcover book file setup, templates include:
- Cover overhang: the extra margin indicating where the hardcover board extends slightly beyond the edges of the interior book block.
- Cover board edges: the bleed and wrap areas used to construct the book cover.
- Inside cover wraparound: the cover artwork’s outer edge that wraps around the hardcover board edges and gets glued to the inside.
- Cover hinges: the flexible indentations or creases where the front and back cover boards meet the spine.
Simply download a template, use it as an underlay in your design program and remove it before exporting your artwork.
Pro tip: For more in-depth guidance, visit our Print File Setup Guide support page.
Build Your File Correctly
Here are some key components that can affect print quality and the upload process:
Page Order and Layout
Check your file structure before exporting. Naming or numbering your files will also ensure your page sequence appears in the correct order.
For flat and bound products:
- Keep page size and orientation consistent across all artwork files.
- Include blank pages if they are part of the final artwork.
For flat items:
- Upload single files
For most bound products:
- For inner pages, upload a single multi-page file, single pages or double-page spreads.
- Upload cover artwork as a spread, including front and back covers and spine artwork, if applicable. Alternatively, you can upload single cover page files and a single spine file.
Pro tip: Some products have page count requirements. Check your product specifications before exporting your files. For more information, see our dedicated page count page.
Resolution and Image Quality
If an image looks blurry before export, it will usually look blurry in print. Use images at 300 dpi to keep text and photos sharp.
Avoid using screenshots, web-resolution images and small images enlarged beyond their original size. Images with higher resolution won’t significantly improve quality and may take longer to load. For more information on image quality, visit our dedicated image resolution support page.
Pro tip: If our system detects at least one image with a dpi below 100 and a width or height above 10 pixels, our Image Enhancer tool will appear above your order to help improve its resolution.
Color Mode
Screens display color using RGB (red, green, and blue) light, and high-quality printing uses CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) ink.
Creating files in CMYK color mode when you start designing your files can prevent color shifts during production. If your artwork is entirely black and white, set your color mode to grayscale in your design software, and select Grayscale on the Instant Quote Calculator. If you print black-and-white photos, ensure they are also in grayscale to prevent unintended color tints.
Some design tools have limited color export options. For example, Canva Pro supports CMYK export, while Canva Free exports RGB files only. Mixam can convert RGB files during processing, and colors may appear slightly different after conversion.
Pro tip: For more information on color modes, visit our CMYK vs RGB support page.
Fonts and Text
Positioning fonts or text inside quiet areas and away from trim lines can ensure key elements aren’t at risk of being trimmed.
Before export:
- Embed fonts
- Outline fonts if required by your software
- Keep text inside the quiet area and away from trim lines
Pro tip: For more information, read our blog post about Best Fonts for Books.
Export a Print-Ready PDF
You can upload a variety of file types, and for the best results, export your file as a print-ready PDF before uploading. Use a PDF/X format where possible to help preserve fonts, images, colors, and layout during production. We also advise against compressing images.
PDF Export Checklist
Before exporting your file, check the following settings:
- Export as PDF/X-4
- Use CMYK color mode
- Include bleed if your design reaches the page edge
- Embed or outline all fonts
- Export at final page size
- Remove template guides before export
- Do not include crop marks
If your design tool cannot export PDF/X files, such as Canva, export a high-quality print PDF.
Upload and Review Your Files
You can upload files to your pending order’s Artwork tab when you have added a quote to your cart and clicked Continue.
Upload your Artwork
A list of upload options will appear on the left-hand side of the Artwork tab under your quote summary. Large files may take a few minutes to process, and do not refresh the page while uploading or processing. Preview generation may continue after uploading completes.
Check Your Files In The Preview
The preview shows how your uploaded files have been processed and arranged for production. Always review it and the downloadable proof before confirming your order.
Check:
- page order
- alignment
- bleed areas
- trim lines
- quiet areas
- cover and spine placement (if applicable)
If you spot an issue, return to your original artwork file, make the correction, export a new PDF, and upload the updated version.
Warnings do not always mean your file will print incorrectly. Some warnings are advisory and highlight areas that may need additional review. Read each warning carefully and compare it against your artwork before deciding whether to make changes.
If a warning relates to bleed, page size, image resolution, or positioning, correct the source file and upload a replacement version after deleting the incorrect file.
Once all artwork files are uploaded, download the PDF proof above the preview window. The downloadable proof provides the most accurate representation of your files and should always be reviewed before order confirmation.
If your file passes the preview checks, you can proceed to payment and order confirmation. If warnings remain, review the affected pages before confirming your order.
Troubleshooting Common File Issues
If you encounter a warning, processing issue, or unexpected result during upload, use the fixes below:
| Issue | Possible Cause(s) | How To Fix |
| White edges (keylines) | Missing bleed | Extend artwork beyond the trim line and export with bleed enabled |
| Blurry images | Low-resolution artwork | Replace with images at 300 dpi |
| Color shift | RGB color mode | Convert to CMYK before export |
| File stuck processing | File corruption or export issue | Re-export the file as a new PDF and reupload |
| Large file size or slow processing | High-resolution assets or complex PDF data | Reduce the file size using Acrobat Pro Preflight or re-export using your software's PDF optimization settings |
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I arrange my files?
Upload files in reading order and add page numbers or file labels before exporting. For flat products, upload individual files for each item.
For most bound products, upload your inside pages in reading order as a multi-page PDF, single pages, or double-page spreads. Include any blank pages that form part of the final document.
For cover files, follow the setup requirements shown in your product specifications and template, including spine artwork if required.
Why are my pages appearing in the wrong order?
Pages follow the order of your uploaded PDF.
To fix the issue:
- Check the page order in your original file
- Confirm that any required blank pages are included
- Make sure the cover and inside pages are uploaded to the correct locations
- Reorder pages in the Artwork tab using drag and drop or the page position controls under each page
Review the preview and downloadable proof after making changes to ensure your files are in the correct order.
What should I do if I receive a bleed warning?
A bleed warning usually means artwork does not extend beyond the trim edge.
Open your original design file and check whether backgrounds, images, or colored areas extend into the bleed line. If they do not, extend those elements, export a new PDF with bleed enabled, and upload the updated file.
If the warning appears but your artwork already includes bleed, review the preview carefully before proceeding.
Why does my file look different in the preview?
The preview converts your artwork into a production-ready format, so it may not look identical to what you see in your design software.
Check the following:
- Your file uses CMYK color mode
- Page order and positioning are correct
- Text, images, and backgrounds appear as expected
Focus on layout, positioning, and file structure rather than exact on-screen color appearance.
For more color guidance, refer to our CMYK Color Charts and Values.
Can I upload multiple files for one order?
Yes. You can upload separate files for covers, inside pages, and other artwork components, like spine artwork.
Before uploading, check your product specifications and template instructions to confirm how files should be arranged. Uploading files to the correct positions helps prevent setup issues later in the process.
Will Mixam check my file before printing?
Mixam performs automated file checks and highlights potential issues, and you should always review your files before confirming an order.
Before confirmation:
- Review any warnings shown in the preview
- Download and review the PDF proof
- Correct any issues that affect bleed, page size, image quality, or positioning
Only proceed when the preview and downloadable proof match your intended design.
What file format should I use for the best results?
A print-ready PDF provides the most reliable results.
Where available, export your file as PDF/X-4. This format helps preserve fonts, images, color settings, and page layout during production. If PDF/X-4 is not available, export a high-quality print PDF using your software's recommended print settings.
Additional Resources
These guides cover common topics, including setup instructions, print specifications, and our print-on-demand service:
