You're sending a Word document to a printer — a brochure, a poster, a leaflet. The printer wants a PDF. "Just send a PDF" sounds simple. "Send a print-ready PDF" is what the printer actually means.
What "print-ready" requires
Three things matter: embedded fonts (so the printer's machine doesn't substitute), high-resolution images (300dpi minimum for offset print), and correct colour space (CMYK for offset, RGB usually fine for digital print).
Word-to-PDF handles the first automatically. The second depends on your source images. The third may need Acrobat or a specialist tool.
Image resolution
Word images print at the resolution they're stored. A screenshot at 96dpi will look blurry when enlarged for print. Replace low-res images with high-res versions in Word before converting.
For critical work, source images at 300dpi at print size. A photo for a 6"x4" print needs to be at least 1800×1200 pixels.
Bleed and margins
If your document has elements that should print to the edge of the page (background colour, full-bleed photos), you need bleed — usually 3mm beyond the page edge. Word doesn't handle bleed natively; export as PDF and then add bleed in Acrobat or InDesign.
For simpler print jobs (text and contained images), bleed isn't needed.
Convert and verify
Use Flint's Word to PDF for general print-ready output — fonts embed, images preserved at original resolution. Then open the PDF and verify: zoom in to 400% on text and check it's crisp, check every image is sharp at print size, and confirm the PDF's page size matches your printer's spec (A4, US Letter, A3, etc.).
For commercial print, the print shop may request additional verification or specific PDF/X compliance — ask them what they need.
FAQ
Do printers need CMYK PDFs?
Offset printers usually, yes. Digital printers typically accept RGB. Ask your printer.
What DPI for print?
300dpi is the standard for offset. Digital print is more forgiving but 300dpi is still safe.
Will Word embed all fonts?
Yes by default. Open the PDF properties to verify (Acrobat > File > Properties > Fonts).
What about PDF/X for press?
PDF/X is a print-specific PDF subset. Word doesn't export directly to PDF/X; convert to PDF first, then use Acrobat's PDF/X export.
Print-ready means font-embedded, high-res images, right page size. Convert your Word to PDF and verify before sending.