Print Design Artifact Review

Print Design Artifact Review

Purpose

Review design files and exported artifacts intended for physical printing: NFC business cards, loyalty cards, menu cards, flyers, and posters. Verify print-readiness: color mode (CMYK), resolution (300 DPI minimum), bleed and trim, font embedding, PDF/X compliance, QR code scannability at printed size, and NFC chip placement compatibility.

When to use

• Reviewing design files (Figma export, Illustrator, Canva PDF) before sending to a print vendor.
• Auditing QR code or NFC card artwork for production hand-off.
• Checking bleed, safe zone, and trim marks on any card, flyer, or poster design.
• Reviewing PDF exports for font embedding and color profile correctness.
• Evaluating NFC card designs for chip placement restrictions and antenna zone clearance.

When not to use

• Digital-only assets (web banners, social media images) — no print standards apply.
• Code review of the software that generates print-ready PDFs — use a general code review skill for that.
• Photography editing or brand identity design critique — scope is technical print readiness, not aesthetic judgment.

Procedure

1. Color mode

• All elements must be in CMYK mode — RGB colors shift unpredictably in print; blues often become purple, bright reds become dull.
• Spot colors (Pantone): if specified, verify color names exactly match the vendor's supported Pantone library (Pantone Solid Coated, Solid Uncoated, etc.).
• Black text and fine elements: use 100% K only (not Rich Black C:60 M:40 Y:40 K:100) to prevent misregistration blur on small text.
• Rich Black is appropriate only for large background fills (> 1 cm²).
• White elements: confirm they are set to 0% of all CMYK channels — "white" in RGB that is never converted to true CMYK white will print as a light tint.
• Total ink coverage: most offset print vendors cap at 300% TAC (Total Area Coverage). Verify dark areas do not exceed this.

2. Resolution

• Raster images: minimum 300 DPI at the final print size. An image placed at 50% of its pixel size has effectively 600 DPI — safe. An image stretched to 200% has 150 DPI — unacceptable.
• Check the effective DPI of every placed raster image, not just the document resolution.
• Logos and icons should be vector (SVG/EPS/AI paths), not rasterized PNG/JPG. A vector logo looks sharp at any size.
• QR codes must be vector (SVG) or raster at ≥ 600 DPI at the final printed size. A blurry QR will fail to scan.
• NFC chip activation indicator graphics (tap icon, signal waves) must also be vector.

3. Bleed, trim, and safe zone

• Bleed: artwork that reaches the card/page edge must extend 3 mm beyond the trim line (2 mm for some vendors — confirm before handoff). Background color, photos, and full-bleed elements must fill the bleed zone.
• Trim line: the intended final cut edge of the card or page.
• Safe zone: all critical content (text, logos, QR codes, NFC tap indicators) must be kept ≥ 3 mm inside the trim line. Content outside the safe zone risks being cut off.
• Standard card size (CR80): 85.6 × 54 mm trim; artwork canvas should be 91.6 × 60 mm (with 3 mm bleed on all sides).
• Verify the document canvas dimensions include bleed; trim marks should be visible in the PDF.

4. Font embedding and typography

• All fonts must be fully embedded in the exported PDF. Unembedded fonts will substitute at the print shop, changing layout and appearance.
• Alternatively, convert all text to outlines/curves before export — this eliminates font dependency but prevents text editing post-export.
• Font size minimums for legibility: body text ≥ 6 pt for standard paper; fine print ≥ 5 pt. Below 4 pt, ink spread makes text unreadable on most substrates.
• Tracking/kerning on small text (< 8 pt): slightly positive tracking (+20–40 units) improves legibility in print.
• Avoid very thin font weights (< 100 weight, hairline strokes < 0.25 pt) in white on dark — ink spread can close the letterforms.

5. PDF/X compliance

• Export target: PDF/X-1a (single-file, CMYK/spot only, fonts embedded, no transparency) or PDF/X-4 (allows transparency and layers, required for some modern RIPs).
• Confirm with the vendor which PDF/X version they require before export.
• PDF/X-1a: no RGB, no transparency. Flatten all transparencies before export.
• PDF/X-4: transparency is preserved; the RIP handles flattening.
• Verify the PDF contains no JavaScript, no form fields, no multimedia — these are invalid in PDF/X.
• Color profile: embed the correct output intent ICC profile as required by the vendor (e.g., FOGRA39 for European coated offset, SWOP for US).

6. QR code — print size and scannability

• Minimum printed QR size: 2 × 2 cm for error correction level M; 1.5 × 1.5 cm for level H — below this, scanners reliably fail.
• Quiet zone: white margin around the QR must be at least 4 module widths on all sides. No background patterns or content should enter the quiet zone.
• Color: QR code modules must be dark (≥ 60% K or equivalent) on a light background (contrast ratio ≥ 4:1). Avoid printing QR in spot colors that appear light after printing.
• Test the final artwork by scanning a proof at actual printed size before approving.
• Do not rotate a QR code more than 90° — most scanners handle 90° rotation but some readers fail beyond that.

7. NFC card specifics

• NFC antenna location: most standard CR80 NFC cards have the antenna embedded in the card body occupying approximately the central 70% of the card area. Verify chip vendor datasheet for exact exclusion zones.
• Do not place metallic inks, foil stamps, or metallic laminates directly over the antenna — they block NFC signal.
• Embossing and debossing directly over the antenna can crack the antenna wire — maintain ≥ 3 mm clearance.
• The "tap here" indicator graphic should be placed near the antenna center (usually card center) to guide users to the correct tap zone.
• If the chip is on one side only, indicate the correct face with the tap icon on that side.
• Card thickness: standard CR80 is 0.76 mm. Thicker substrates or overlaminates > 1.5 mm total stack can reduce NFC read range.

8. Production handoff checklist

• Confirm the print vendor's file specification document (substrate, laminate, coating type, color profile, bleed requirement, file format) before exporting.
• Package files: provide PDF/X + original source file + embedded images folder if the vendor requests editable files.
• Naming: use a clear naming convention: ProjectName_CardFront_v3_PRINT.pdf — never final_final2.pdf.
• Color proof: request a digital proof (PDF soft proof) and a physical color proof (strike-off) for first production run.
• Quantities and die lines: confirm the correct dieline template from the vendor is used for custom shapes.

Checklist

Color:

• Document color mode is CMYK (not RGB).
• Spot/Pantone colors match vendor's supported library exactly.
• Black text uses 100% K only.
• Total ink coverage ≤ 300% TAC on dark areas.

Resolution:

• All placed raster images ≥ 300 DPI at final print size.
• Logos and icons are vector.
• QR code is vector or ≥ 600 DPI at final size.

Bleed and trim:

• Bleed extends ≥ 3 mm beyond trim on all sides.
• Critical content (text, QR, logos) is ≥ 3 mm inside trim line.
• Document canvas dimensions include bleed (e.g., 91.6 × 60 mm for CR80).
• Trim marks visible in exported PDF.

Fonts:

• All fonts embedded in PDF or converted to outlines.
• No text below 5 pt.

PDF export:

• PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 as required by vendor.
• No transparency in PDF/X-1a export.
• No JavaScript, form fields, or multimedia in PDF.
• Correct ICC output intent profile embedded.

QR code:

• Minimum 2 × 2 cm printed size (error correction M or H).
• Quiet zone ≥ 4 modules on all sides, clear of background patterns.
• High contrast (dark modules on light background).
• Physically scanned proof tested before approval.

NFC card:

• No metallic ink or foil over antenna zone.
• Tap indicator positioned over antenna center.
• Embossing/debossing maintains ≥ 3 mm clearance from antenna.

Common issues & anti-patterns

• RGB PDF sent to printer: colors shift; blues go purple, greens go yellow. Always convert to CMYK before export.
• Low-resolution logo rasterized: a logo screenshotted from a website at 72 DPI prints as a blurry blob. Always use original vector files.
• Bleed missing on background: when the background stops at the trim line, paper-white edges appear at the cut if the cutter shifts even 0.5 mm.
• QR too small: a 1 × 1 cm QR at error correction L is unreliable — many phones fail to scan it, especially in dim lighting.
• Metallic foil over NFC antenna: the card's NFC stops working the moment the foil is applied. Check the antenna map from the card manufacturer.
• Rich Black on thin text: C:60 M:40 Y:40 K:100 on 8 pt text causes color misregistration (slight CMYK plate misalignment) producing a blurry colored halo around letters.
• Font not embedded — substituted at print shop: the printer's RIP substitutes a default font, reflowing the layout and cutting off text.
• No physical proof ordered for first run: color differences between screen and print are only caught by a physical proof. Digital-only proofing misses substrate and coating effects.

Required output

Return a structured report with:

• Summary: print-ready / needs corrections / blocked (critical production issue).
• Color assessment: mode, TAC, black type treatment.
• Resolution audit: each placed image — source DPI, effective DPI at print size, pass/fail.
• Bleed and safe zone status: measured bleed extension, content clearance from trim.
• QR/NFC integrity: size, quiet zone, antenna clearance.
• Findings table: severity (critical / high / medium / low / info), category, description, remediation.
• Vendor handoff readiness: list of files required, naming, proof type recommended.

Safety

• Do not send files to a print vendor or submit a print order during review.
• Do not access or print confidential card data (full card numbers, PINs) that may appear on card artwork samples.
• If artwork contains personal identifiable information (name, phone, address on a business card sample), handle only within the scope of the review and do not distribute.
• Flag any artwork claiming to be a payment card (credit/debit) with realistic card number formatting — confirm it uses a clearly fictional number range (e.g., starting with 0000) to avoid misuse.