FAA Print Ready Files

The FAA Aeronautical Information Services has transitioned its print and distribution operations to private industry. To support this, official print-ready files for all catalog products are posted digitally approximately 20 days before their cycle effective dates. These files are publicly available, allowing vendors, stakeholders, and the public to independently print, sell, and distribute physical copies of aeronautical charts. The files available here are suitable for high-resolution print reproduction and include the individual plate files required for printing, the color-separated CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key) foundation, and a negative identification list.

While these files are versatile enough for any production method that utilizes large-format plotters, including 4-color offset printing presses, the specific ICC color profiles will vary by hardware type and will ultimately determine the appearance of the final colors. The CMYK color model serves as the foundation for this full-color printing. While computer screens use light to create colors in RGB (Red, Green and Blue) format, printers use ink to absorb light on physical paper. To produce the chart, individual digital files must be combined onto specific CMYK color plates, ensuring the intricate aeronautical information is correctly assembled. Because aeronautical charts are highly complex, the negative identification list acts as a master blueprint, instructing printers on exactly which digital layers and standardized colors are essential.

How to access print ready files:

To obtain access to the print-ready files, log in and initiate a new Aeronautical Inquiry. Select "Other" as the inquiry category, and in the inquiry text field, enter: "Request access to the FAA Print Ready files".

After submitting your request, allow up to 10 business days for processing and approval.