Make a PDF print-ready — PDF/X-4 preflight, bleed and crop marks, on your device
Preflight the way a print shop does, then write the output intent, boxes, bleed and marks.
Free: 3 jobs per UTC day, 25 MB per file. PDF exports include a visible Made with Bindery watermark. Pro exports clean PDFs.
Prefer the full studio? Open PDF/X for print in the app →
Printers reject files for the same handful of reasons: fonts not embedded, no trim box, no output intent, missing identification, stray JavaScript. Bindery runs that preflight locally and shows every objection in plain language. Conversion writes an sRGB output intent with an embedded ICC profile, the PDF/X-4 identification in Info and XMP, the Trapped key, trim, bleed and art boxes on every page, and — if you ask — a bleed margin with crop marks.
PDF/X-4 permits RGB and transparency, which is what a browser can honestly guarantee; a CMYK-only PDF/X-1a needs colour conversion in the print workflow, and the report says so. Pages set in non-embedded fonts can be rasterised at 300 DPI so the file passes. Bindery runs entirely in your browser — your file is never uploaded, so there is nothing to delete from a server afterwards.
How it works
- Drop the PDF and open PDF/X for print — the preflight runs immediately
- Choose the bleed (none, 3 or 5 mm), crop marks and a document title
- Prepare for print and download the file with its preflight report
Why print shops reject files
A commercial printer’s preflight looks for a short list of things, and the same missing items cause most rejections: fonts that are not embedded, no trim box telling the press where to cut, no bleed beyond the trim so a slightly-off cut shows white, no output intent describing the colour space, no PDF/X identification, and stray interactive content such as JavaScript or form fields. Bindery runs that preflight on your device and explains every objection in plain language before you send anything.
What conversion writes
- An sRGB output intent with the ICC profile embedded.
- PDF/X-4 identification in the document information and XMP, and the Trapped key.
- Trim, bleed and art boxes on every page.
- Optionally a 3 mm or 5 mm bleed margin with crop marks, and a document title.
- Pages set in non-embedded fonts can be rasterised at 300 DPI so every glyph is guaranteed; leave it off to keep selectable text and let the printer substitute.
PDF/X-4 allows RGB with an ICC output intent and transparency, which is what a browser can honestly guarantee. If your printer insists on CMYK-only PDF/X-1a, colour conversion belongs in their workflow or a desktop prepress tool; the report says so rather than pretending.
Preparing in the browser versus uploading
| PDF/X for print | Bindery | Upload-based tools |
|---|---|---|
| Where the file is processed | In your browser tab, on your device | Uploaded to the service’s servers |
| Preflight | Every check listed and explained | Varies |
| Bleed and marks | 3 or 5 mm bleed, crop marks, trim/bleed/art boxes | Rarely offered online |
| Unreleased artwork | Never leaves the device | Uploaded |
| What exists afterwards | The original and the new file, both on your device | A server copy until the retention window ends |
| Works offline | Yes, once the app has loaded | No |
Before you send to print
- Make all pages one size with Resize; mixed sizes fail preflight.
- Do not impose a booklet yourself unless asked — most shops impose. Booklet & N-up is for printing on your own duplex printer.
- Ask the printer for their spec sheet: bleed size, PDF/X version, colour profile. Match it.
Questions people ask
Is this a certified PDF/X validator?
No. It is a thorough self-check that fixes what it can; your printer’s preflight has the last word, and the report lists every check so you can compare.
Does it convert colours to CMYK?
No. PDF/X-4 allows RGB with an ICC output intent, which Bindery declares. Press-profile colour conversion belongs in the print workflow.
What happens to fonts that are not embedded?
Those pages can be rasterised to a 300 DPI image so every glyph is guaranteed; their text stops being selectable. Leave the option off to keep the text and let the printer substitute.
Is this a certified PDF/X validator?
No. It is a thorough self-check that fixes what it can and lists every rule it covered. Your printer’s preflight has the last word — compare their report with Bindery’s.
What bleed should I choose?
3 mm is the usual requirement in Europe and for most digital print; 5 mm for large formats or when the shop asks. If the artwork has no bleed to begin with, marks help but the background will not extend past the trim — extend the design first.
Does it convert colours to CMYK?
No. PDF/X-4 permits RGB with an ICC output intent, which Bindery declares. Press-profile conversion is done in the print workflow.