# How to build production ready PDF's

Here you find the Cloudprinter.com guidelines for production PDF's.

Which PDF version you should use often depends on your content. We do though recommend a specific version for each product category, as well as a set of guidelines for color and content.

# Color profile


FOGRA39 color profile is the recommended in most cases, but consider the media you will use as there are specific versions for coated or uncoated paper.

# Color space

In cases where you will not use a color profile, RGB or CMYK color space should be used in most cases.

# Digital print

For digital printing we recommend to use RGB.

# Offset print

For offset/litho printing we recommend the use of CMYK and PMS color space.

# Content


# Layers

Genarally it is strongly advised to keep layers and not to flatten your PDF. On Diagrams / Drawings / etc. we advise to keep vectors where possible for optimal quality and minimal filesize.

# Images

For pixel-based imagery in RGB it is recommended to keep their RGB color space.

# Fonts

All fonts need to be embedded into the PDF or converted to vector if embedding is not an option.
Converting fonts to pixels is possible but this will reduce quality, and increase filsize so it is not recommended.

# PDF boxes

If you are not that familiar with the structure of a PDF file, then have a look in this article where we to through the structure and explains the purpose of each box.
PDF page boxes explained

# Guidelines for product categories


Click on the product group and jump directly to the guidelines

# Textbook FC

2 PDF files v.1.6, 1 with Cover and 1 with Page(s).
Page(s) not imposed, use FOGRA39 or RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)

Subject Guideline
Files 2
PDF version min 1.4
PDF version max 1.7
Recommended PDF version 1.6
File 1 Cover - Impose: yes
File 2 Page(s) - Impose: no
Recommended Color Profile FOGRA39
Color space RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)
Content Keep layers/do not flatten
Imagery / Diagrams / Drawings / etc. Keep vectors where possible
Fonts Embed or convert to vector

# Textbook BW

2 PDF files v.1.6, 1 with Cover and 1 with Page(s).
Page(s) not imposed, use FOGRA39 or 100% Black/Grey for pages (Best results with 100% Black)

Subject Guideline
Files 2
PDF version min 1.4
PDF version max 1.7
Recommended PDF version 1.6
File 1 Cover - Impose: yes
File 2 Page(s) - Impose: no
Recommended Color Profile FOGRA39
Color space 100% Black/Grey for pages (Best results with 100% Black)
Content Keep layers/do not flatten
Imagery / Diagrams / Drawings / etc. Keep vectors where possible
Fonts Embed or convert to vector

# Photobook

2 PDF files v.1.6, 1 with Cover and 1 with Page(s).
Page(s) not imposed, use FOGRA39 or RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)

Subject Guideline
Files 2
PDF version min 1.4
PDF version max 1.7
Recommended PDF version 1.6
File 1 Cover - Impose: yes
File 2 Page(s) - Impose: no
Recommended Color Profile FOGRA39
Color space RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)
Content Keep layers/do not flatten
Imagery / Diagrams / Drawings / etc. Keep vectors where possible
Fonts Embed or convert to vector

# Brochure

2 PDF files v.1.6, 1 with Cover and 1 with Page(s).
Page(s) not imposed, use FOGRA39 or RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)

Subject Guideline
Files 2
PDF version min 1.4
PDF version max 1.7
Recommended PDF version 1.6
File 1 Cover - Impose: yes
File 2 Page(s) - Impose: no
Recommended Color Profile FOGRA39
Color space RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)
Content Keep layers/do not flatten
Imagery / Diagrams / Drawings / etc. Keep vectors where possible
Fonts Embed or convert to vector

# Folder

1 PDF file v.1.6 with Page(s).
Page(s) not imposed, use FOGRA39 or RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)

Subject Guideline
Files 1
PDF version min 1.4
PDF version max 1.7
Recommended PDF version 1.6
File 1 Page(s) - Impose: no
Recommended Color Profile FOGRA39
Color space RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)
Content Keep layers/do not flatten
Imagery / Diagrams / Drawings / etc. Keep vectors where possible
Fonts Embed or convert to vector

# Businesscard

1 PDF file v.1.6 with Page(s).
Page(s) not imposed, use FOGRA39 or RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)

Subject Guideline
Files 1
PDF version min 1.4
PDF version max 1.7
Recommended PDF version 1.6
File 1 Page(s) - Impose: no
Recommended Color Profile FOGRA39
Color space RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)
Content Keep layers/do not flatten
Imagery / Diagrams / Drawings / etc. Keep vectors where possible
Fonts Embed or convert to vector

# Flyer

1 PDF file v.1.6 with Page(s).
Page(s) not imposed, use FOGRA39 or RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)

Subject Guideline
Files 1
PDF version min 1.4
PDF version max 1.7
Recommended PDF version 1.6
File 1 Page(s) - Impose: no
Recommended Color Profile FOGRA39
Color space RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)
Content Keep layers/do not flatten
Imagery / Diagrams / Drawings / etc. Keep vectors where possible
Fonts Embed or convert to vector

# Poster

1 PDF file v.1.6 with Page.
Page not imposed, use FOGRA39 or RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)

Subject Guideline
Files 1
PDF version min 1.4
PDF version max 1.7
Recommended PDF version 1.6
File 1 Page - Impose: no
Recommended Color Profile FOGRA39
Color space RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)
Content Keep layers/do not flatten
Imagery / Diagrams / Drawings / etc. Keep vectors where possible
Fonts Embed or convert to vector

# Letterhead

1 PDF file v.1.6 with Page(s).
Page(s) not imposed, use FOGRA39 or CMYK/PMS

Subject Guideline
Files 1
PDF version min 1.4
PDF version max 1.7
Recommended PDF version 1.6
File 1 Page(s) - Impose: no
Recommended Color Profile FOGRA39
Color space CMYK/PMS
Content Keep layers/do not flatten
Imagery / Diagrams / Drawings / etc. Keep vectors where possible
Fonts Embed or convert to vector

# Envelope

1 PDF file v.1.6 with Page(s).
Page(s) not imposed, use FOGRA39 or CMYK/PMS

Subject Guideline
Files 1
PDF version min 1.4
PDF version max 1.7
Recommended PDF version 1.6
File 1 Page(s) - Impose: no
Recommended Color Profile FOGRA39
Color space CMYK/PMS
Content Keep layers/do not flatten
Imagery / Diagrams / Drawings / etc. Keep vectors where possible
Fonts Embed or convert to vector

# Canvas

1 PDF file v.1.6 with Page.
Page not imposed, use FOGRA39 or RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)

Subject Guideline
Files 1
PDF version min 1.4
PDF version max 1.7
Recommended PDF version 1.6
File 1 Page - Impose: no
Recommended Color Profile FOGRA39
Color space RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)
Content Keep layers/do not flatten
Imagery / Diagrams / Drawings / etc. Keep vectors where possible
Fonts Embed or convert to vector

# Gifting

1 PDF file v.1.6 with Page.
Page not imposed, use FOGRA39 or RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)

Subject Guideline
Files 1
PDF version min 1.4
PDF version max 1.7
Recommended PDF version 1.6
File 1 Page - Impose: no
Recommended Color Profile FOGRA39
Color space RGB/CMYK (Best results with RGB)
Content Keep layers/do not flatten
Imagery / Diagrams / Drawings / etc. Keep vectors where possible
Fonts Embed or convert to vector