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When generating PDF output (output_format: "pdf"), you can configure prepress settings for professional printing.

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Quick start

For most use cases, one of the presets handles everything: 
{
  "text": "Hello!",
  "font_id": 1,
  "page_size": "postcard_us",
  "output_format": "pdf",
  "pdf": {
    "preset": "generic"
  }
}

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Presets

Presets bundle common settings for specific use cases.

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generic (default)

Standard PDF output for most uses:
  • RGB color space
  • White background (no transparency)
  • Bleed/crop marks are controlled by pdf.profile (defaults to document)
Use for: General downloads, archiving, non-print workflows.
If you want the API to automatically choose press for trimmed products (postcards/cards) and document for letters, set pdf.profile: "auto".

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lob

Optimized for Lob.com print API:
  • Forces PDF/X-1a (CMYK)
  • Includes bleed on trimmed products (postcards, cards)
  • No crop marks (Lob handles trimming)
  • GRACoL 2013 ICC profile (US), PSO Coated v3 (EU)
Use for: Lob.com direct mail integration. 
{
  "output_format": "pdf",
  "pdf": {
    "preset": "lob"
  }
}

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click2mail

Optimized for Click2Mail:
  • Standard PDF (not PDF/X-1a)
  • No crop marks or slug (clean edges)
  • Larger bleed for US trimmed products (6.35mm / 0.25”)
  • Press profile for postcards, document profile for letters
Use for: Click2Mail portal uploads. 
{
  "output_format": "pdf",
  "pdf": {
    "preset": "click2mail"
  }
}

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PDF standards

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pdf (default)

Standard PDF with RGB color:
  • Compatible with all PDF viewers
  • White background
  • Supports profile/region/bleed options

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pdfx1a

PDF/X-1a:2001 for strict print preflight:
  • CMYK color only (Ghostscript conversion)
  • No transparency
  • Embedded ICC profile
  • Required by some commercial printers
{
  "pdf": {
    "standard": "pdfx1a"
  }
}
The lob preset automatically sets standard: "pdfx1a". You don’t need to specify both.

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ICC profiles

For PDF/X-1a output, choose an ICC profile for color conversion:
ProfileRegionDescription
auto—US → GRACoL 2013, EU → PSO Coated v3
gracol_2013USGRACoL 2013 (recommended for US print)
gracol_2006USLegacy GRACoL 2006
pso_coated_v3EUPSO Coated v3 (recommended for EU print)
iso_coated_v2EUISO Coated v2 (alternative EU profile)
{
  "pdf": {
    "standard": "pdfx1a",
    "icc_profile": "gracol_2013"
  }
}

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Profiles

For standard PDF output, the profile controls bleed and crop marks:

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document

Clean page with no print production marks:
  • No bleed area
  • No crop marks
  • Page size matches paper size exactly
This is the default (pdf.profile defaults to document).

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auto

Automatically chooses a sensible profile based on page size:
  • press for trimmed products: postcard_us, card_5x7, card_a2, square_5x5, card_96x135
  • document for letters/envelopes and other formats
{
  "pdf": {
    "profile": "auto"
  }
}

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press

Print-ready with bleed and trim guides:
  • Includes bleed area around content
  • Adds crop marks for trimming
  • Includes slug area for marks
Use this when you need print production marks and bleed (common for postcards/cards). 
{
  "pdf": {
    "profile": "press"
  }
}

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Bleed settings

Bleed is extra content area that extends beyond the trim line, ensuring no white edges after cutting.

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Regional defaults

When profile is press and bleed is not specified:
RegionDefault bleed
US3.175mm (1/8 inch)
EU3.0mm

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Custom bleed

Override with bleed_mm: 
{
  "pdf": {
    "profile": "press",
    "bleed_mm": 5.0
  }
}

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Region

Region affects default bleed, ICC profile selection, and crop mark style:
RegionBleedICC ProfileCrop marks
us1/8” (3.175mm)GRACoL 20131/4” length
eu3mmPSO Coated v35mm length

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Auto-detection

When region: "auto" (default):
  • ISO sizes (a3, a4, a5, a6, dl, card_96x135) → eu
  • US sizes (letter, legal, postcard_us, etc.) → us

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Crop box

Controls the visible area in PDF viewers:
ValueDescription
mediaShows entire page including crop marks (default)
bleedCrops to BleedBox (hides marks, shows bleed)
trimCrops to TrimBox (final product size)
{
  "pdf": {
    "profile": "press",
    "crop_box": "trim"
  }
}

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PDF boxes explained

PDF prepress uses several box definitions: 
┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│  MediaBox (full page + marks)   │
│  ┌────────────────────────┐     │
│  │  BleedBox (+ bleed)    │     │
│  │  ┌─────────────────┐   │     │
│  │  │  TrimBox        │   │     │
│  │  │  (final size)   │   │     │
│  │  │                 │   │     │
│  │  └─────────────────┘   │     │
│  └────────────────────────┘     │
└─────────────────────────────────┘
  • TrimBox: The intended final product size
  • BleedBox: TrimBox plus bleed area
  • MediaBox: Full page including crop marks and slug

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Examples

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Postcard for Lob

{
  "text": "Thank you for your order!",
  "font_id": 1,
  "page_size": "postcard_us",
  "output_format": "pdf",
  "pdf": {
    "preset": "lob"
  }
}

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A4 letter for download

{
  "text": "Dear valued customer...",
  "font_id": 2,
  "page_size": "a4",
  "output_format": "pdf"
}

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Press-ready greeting card

{
  "text": "Happy Birthday!",
  "font_id": 3,
  "page_size": "card_5x7",
  "output_format": "pdf",
  "pdf": {
    "profile": "press",
    "region": "us",
    "bleed_mm": 3.175
  }
}