Ideal save settings for a business card PDF file (for print) ?

[Under S.]

Finished a process Business Card design (simple one-sided 3.5" x 2" + 1/8" bleed) with photo (process color) background + vector text. (On PS, because I'm more comfortable with it than ID.)

Ran a few file size tests with different PDF save settings:

• 600dpi, no compression = 70MB
• 300dpi, no compression = 18MB
• 600dpi, max quality compression = 3MB
• 300dpi, max quality compression = 1MB

Since different print shops own different equipment and technologies, I like my for-print files to be as evergreen as they can (within reason) to avoid re-exporting them at a higher res later. So for something like a business card, I usually hand it in at 600dpi and let she shop render the best resolution it can.

But I'm curious to know what settings those of you who design business cards on the regular use for those for-print PDFs. Because at 3.5" x 2" there's almost no need to downsample or compress.

Thanks.

[jdanek]

Standard business card size is 2" h x 3.5" w.  You have an image in the file?  Make sure you do not size the background down to fit.  Instead, crop it 2 x 3.5 @ 300ppi ( if you have not already ).  Make a copy and Flatten the file as a .tiff first, then Save As > Photoshop PDF.  I do not recommend your workflow, but I do understand why you are following your methodology.  Try creating the same file in Illustrator, then save it as a PDF using the appropriate settings.

[Under S.]

Why would you tiff-flatten a file with vector data on it? The text is always included in the PDF as vector data, but your method rasterizes it before the PDF export. Is it because you just don't see the point of retaining vector data when printing digital process @ 300 dpi? Because I know a few designers that also feel that way. It's been a point of debate, actually.

[jdanek]

Sorry, I said crop at 2 x 3.5.  I meant 2.25 x 3.75 ( bleed ).

[Derek Cross]

Get the spec from your printer otherwise –

300PPI would be fine. Use RGB color mode. Export to PDF/X-4, tick Crop Marks and tick Use Document Bleed settings.

[Under S.]

Thanks, but are you sure you're not confusing PS with AI or ID? I'm not at my station right now, but PS infamously cannot generate its own crop marks. (Myriad of tutorials have been written over the years on how to fake your own via guides/brush.)

[Under S.]

• I mistakenly put the .5 on the wrong value, it's indeed 3.5" x 2" + 0.125" bleed all around.
• Using another program is not an option here.
• You guys have recommended downsampling to 300dpi but haven't mentioned compression. Do you use it for dimensions this small?

Of the 4 settings examples in the OP, which is the one you favor?

[Randy Hufford]

300dpi, max quality compression = 1MB but i always ask my printer what he wants

[Under S.]

Sounds like sage advice all-around. However, I'm surprised you don't favor 600dpi at dimensions this small, given the mere 2MB difference in file weight. I know offset printing doesn't render dpi's over 300 well, but wasn't sure if digital printing had such a ceiling. Does it? (Guess I'll find out on a local level when I call the print shop tomorrow. I'm generally curious about print dpi ceilings.)

[Derek Cross]

Don’t worry about compression, use the PDF defaults.

Moo print excellent cards, have a look: https://www.moo.com/uk/business-cards/square?&utm_source=Google&utm_term=Moo%20cards&utm_campaign=G_...

[Test Screen Name]

Compression is never turned off. Do you want lossless compression? Use ZIP.

[Under S.]

Correct, you have to turn it off manually. Are you suggesting there's never a reason to do that, even when the filesize difference is just 2MB? I just assumed compression (be it JPG or ZIP) affects the pixel values to at least SOME degree.

[jdanek]

"Sounds like sage advice all-around. However, I'm surprised you don't favor 600dpi at dimensions this small, given the mere 2MB difference in file weight. I know offset printing doesn't render dpi's over 300 well, but wasn't sure if digital printing had such a ceiling. Does it? (Guess I'll find out on a local level when I call the print shop tomorrow. I'm generally curious about print dpi ceilings.)"

I think you are confusing image resolution vs. output resolution.  Most printers are using direct-to-plate technology and their RIP generates halftone screens using 5080 dpi.  Image resolution is based on whatever lpi halftone screen is being used which is determined or should be determined by the paper quality.  In short, 300 ppi ( image resolution ) is based on a halftone screen of 150 lpi ( x 2 ).  Any more than 300 ppi is a waste and does not improve quality.  I suggest you read Adobe's Print Publishing Guide.  Inside it explains the terminology and even gets into levels-of-gray which many designers often overlook.

[jdanek]

Also, most inkjet printers use 600 dpi to generate 72 lpi stochastic screening, so an image resolution of 144 ppi is adequate.  Grand format inkjet printers can get away with an image resolution as low as 25 - 50 ppi without a loss in quality.  In such cases, you'd want to create a vector file which will be RIP'd at 600 dpi, so lines and text will be smooth.

[jdanek]

I suggested flattening as an option to reduce file size ( Layers add to file size ).  You can use the vector info, I did not say not to.  I just thought you were concerned about file size.

[Under S.]

Based on all the responses I'm reading :
When it comes to print, there is literally no reason to EVER supply a printer with a file higher than 300dpi resolution. 

(EVER, under ANY circumstance.)

Is the above statement a FACT as far as everyone here knows, or does someone know of any exceptions where a 600dpi file might be welcome for print?

[Yy7y8y]

Hfghu

Finished a process Business Card design (simple one-sided 3.5" x 2" + 1/8" bleed) with photo (process color) background + vector text. (On PS, because I'm more comfortable with it than ID.)

Ran a few file size tests with different PDF save settings:

• 600dpi, no compression = 70MB
• 300dpi, no compression = 18MB
• 600dpi, max quality compression = 3MB
• 300dpi, max quality compression = 1MB

Since different print shops own different equipment and technologies, I like my for-print files to be as evergreen as they can (within reason) to avoid re-exporting them at a higher res later. So for something like a business card, I usually hand it in at 600dpi and let she shop render the best resolution it can.

But I'm curious to know what settings those of you who design business cards on the regular use for those for-print PDFs. Because at 3.5" x 2" there's almost no need to downsample or compress.

Thanks.

By @Under S.