~ by Kevin Peters, Yearbook Project Specialist
So, you’ve spent months gathering photos, writing captions, and designing layouts. Your yearbook looks amazing on screen, but before you send to print there are a few key steps to make sure it looks just as great in real life. Printing isn’t just a technical step; it’s the final polish that turns your hard work into a keepsake everyone will love.
CHECK YOUR IMAGE QUALITY
Blurry photos? Pixelated graphics? No thank you! For print, aim for 300 DPI (dots per inch) on all images. Anything less could look fuzzy once it’s on paper. Avoid pulling images from social media…they’re usually too low-resolution. If you’re resizing images in InDesign, remember shrinking boosts resolution, stretching lowers it. Use the Preflight tool to catch any low-quality images before it’s too late.
CONVERT COLOURS TO CMYK
Your screen loves RGB, but printers speak CMYK. Converting your files ensures that colours stay vibrant and consistent across every page. Bonus tip: use true black for text, not registration black, to avoid muddy-looking fonts.
MIND YOUR MARGINS AND BLEED
Nothing ruins a beautiful layout like chopped-off text or awkward white edges. Add a 0.125” bleed around your pages and keep important content inside safe margins. Most design templates include these guides…use them.
EMBED FONTS AND SAVE AS PDF
Before sending us your files, embed your fonts and export as a print-ready PDF. This locks in your design so nothing shifts during production. We love clean, well-prepped files!
PROOF LIKE A PRO
Think of proofing as your safety net. Review every page for typos, name spellings, layout quirks, etc. If possible, print a hard copy…it’s easier to spot mistakes on paper than on screen. Check out our Proofing Checklist to make sure you’re catching everything!
It seems like a lot, but with these steps you’ll avoid last-minute stress and end up with a book that looks as good as it feels. After all, this isn’t just a project…it’s a time capsule of memories. Make it shine!
Kevin Peters has over 15 years of experience at Friesens and a deep understanding of yearbook production. Raised in Altona with a family legacy in printing, he brings a strong passion for the industry. Outside the plant, he enjoys playing baseball and hockey, spending time with family and friends, and building strong relationships with customers to help create yearbooks they can cherish for years to come.
