Option
Last updated on
Oct 10, 2026
Learn how to review specifications for page marks, calibration bars, and output settings when printing to commercial presses in Adobe Photoshop on desktop.
Understand these output options when preparing files for commercial printing or when your prepress provider requests specific page marks, registration settings, or film output specifications. These settings should typically be specified only by prepress professionals or individuals experienced with commercial printing workflows.
Access these settings by choosing File > Print, then selecting Output from the menu.
Output options specifications
|
|
Description |
Requirements |
|
Calibration Bars |
Prints an 11-step grayscale transitioning from 0 to 100% density in 10% increments. For CMYK separations, it adds a gradient tint bar to the left of each plate and a progressive color bar to the right. |
The paper must be larger than the printed image. |
|
Registration Marks |
Prints bull's-eyes and star targets used primarily for aligning color separations on PostScript printers. |
The paper must be larger than the printed image. |
|
Corner Crop Marks |
Prints crop marks at the corners to indicate where the page should be trimmed. On PostScript printers, it also prints star targets. |
The paper must be larger than the printed image. |
|
Center Crop Marks |
Prints crop marks at the center of each edge, indicating trim lines. |
The paper must be larger than the printed image. |
|
Description |
Prints description text entered in the File Info dialog box (up to approximately 300 characters) in 9-point Helvetica plain type. |
Text must be entered in File Info before printing. |
|
Labels |
Prints the file name above the image. When printing separations, include the separation name on the label. |
The paper must be larger than the printed image. |
|
Emulsion Down |
Makes type readable when the photosensitive layer on film or photographic paper faces away from you. Images on paper normally print emulsion up (type readable when the photosensitive layer faces you); images on film often print emulsion down. |
Primarily for film output. |
|
Negative |
Prints an inverted version of the entire output, including masks and background color. Converts output to negative without affecting the on-screen image. |
For film separations. Examine developed film under bright light to identify the emulsion side (dull surface) versus the base (shiny surface). |
|
Background |
Prints a colored background on the page outside the image area. Useful for slides printed to film recorders. Select Background to choose a color from the Color Picker. |
Affects print output only; does not modify the image file. |
|
Border |
Prints a black border around the image. Enter a numeric value and select a unit of measurement to specify border width. |
Border appears outside the image boundaries. |
|
Bleed |
Prints crop marks inside the image boundaries rather than outside. Use when trimming the image within the graphic. Enter a numeric value and select a unit of measurement to specify bleed width. |
Reduces printable image area by the specified bleed amount. |
|
Interpolation |
Reduces the jagged appearance of low-resolution images by automatically resampling up during printing on PostScript printers. May reduce sharpness. |
PostScript printers only. |
Common output option combinations
|
Combination |
Use Case |
|
Registration Marks + Corner Crop Marks + Labels |
Standard configuration for four-color process work |
|
Calibration Bars + Registration Marks + Labels |
When press operators need density verification |
|
Negative + Emulsion Down |
When your print shop requires film negatives |
Contact your print shop before applying these settings to confirm their specific requirements for page marks, film orientation, and output format.
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