Settings for text (stroke, outlines?) and resolution (inches, ppi) for professional printing?

[My Winter Guitar]

I am creating a wedding program for my son's wedding using Illustrator. I set the size to 6 x 9 and added a .1 stroke outline to all of the text. I also ran the Create Outlines command to All text thinking I was following best practice for commercial printing for crisp, sharp text.

The couple had an edit - and I learned the lesson about needing to preserve the original before running the Create Outlines command. I also discovered the file is actually too small for professional printing and may be blurry.

As I recreate from scratch, I'd like to set this puppy up using best practices for commercial printing - basically, crisp, sharp edges, no blurring.

What are best practice settings/techniques, for the following:

• Document size settings - (6 x 9 inch output)
• Text - set stroke or use Create Outlines or use both?
• Resolution - if document size is set to inches, then is there somewhere I can set this higher so it won't be blurry when printed?

Any other recommendations appreciated. Many thanks!!!

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

For commercial printing there is no need to create outlines for text or add a stroke to it.

Illustrator files do not have a resolution and will print at the resolution of the printer.

Just save as PDF (choose Press Quality as preset) and give that to your printer.

[Monika Gause]

For the PDF settings contact your printer in advance and check with them.

They should be able to give you specifiations as to how you should deliver the PDF.

In Europe almost always this should be some sort of PDF/X.

[Test Screen Name]

Putting a stroke on text will likely make it much harder to read and is only used for effects. Is there an effect you want?

[My Winter Guitar]

Thank you! Good to know!!!

[My Winter Guitar]

Thank you!! Especially for your quick reply.

[Ton Frederiks]

With all this advice, you should get a good result.