Software

Markzware FlightCheck Review: Is It the Best Preflight Tool?

January 9, 2026

If you’ve ever sent a design to print only to get a dreaded “missing fonts” or “low-resolution images” error, you already know how costly small mistakes can be.

Modern creative workflows move fast.
Deadlines are tight.
Clients expect perfection.

And printers demand technically flawless files.

That’s exactly where Markzware FlightCheck positions itself — as a professional-grade, stand-alone preflight solution designed to catch issues before they become expensive problems.

But is it worth your money in 2025?
Who is it really for?
And how does it compare to other preflight tools?

Let’s break it all down in this detailed, experience-based Markzware FlightCheck review.

Quick Summary

What it is: A stand-alone preflight and packaging tool for PDFs and DTP files
Best for: Designers, print shops, publishers, and prepress teams
Supported formats: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, PDF, QuarkXPress
Big advantage: No dependency on Adobe apps or plug-ins
Key strength: Deep file inspection + automated packaging
Try before buying: Free trial available

👉 Check price | See full features

What Is Markzware FlightCheck?

Markzware FlightCheck is a next-generation, stand-alone preflight application for macOS that inspects, analyzes, and packages creative files before they go to print or production.

Unlike many tools that require Adobe InDesign or Acrobat to be installed, FlightCheck works independently. That alone makes it appealing for production teams, customer service departments, and print shops.

At its core, FlightCheck helps you:

Detect errors like missing fonts and images
Flag potential print problems early
Create detailed inventory and preflight reports
Package all job assets into a single, compressed folder

Think of it as a quality control gatekeeper for creative files.

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Supported File Types (Perfect for Mixed Workflows)

One of FlightCheck’s strongest advantages is how many formats it supports.

Desktop Publishing & Design Files

Adobe InDesign (INDD)
Adobe Illustrator (AI)
Adobe Photoshop (PSD)
PDF (Portable Document Format)
QuarkXPress (QXP)

This is especially valuable for teams handling legacy files or multiple design tools.

Key Features Explained (Without the Jargon)

Intelligent Preflight Inspection

FlightCheck scans your files for common — and not-so-common — issues, including:

Missing or inactive fonts
Low-resolution or RGB images
Unsupported PANTONE colors
Deprecated Adobe Type 1 fonts
ICC profile overrides
Embedded vs linked image issues

These checks help avoid failed print jobs, reprints, and unhappy clients.

Ground Controls (Smarter Error Detection)

FlightCheck’s Ground Controls go beyond basic checks.

They proactively flag problems caused by industry changes, such as:

Adobe dropping support for Type 1 fonts
Unsupported PANTONE color usage
ICC profile conflicts

This kind of future-proofing can save hours of troubleshooting later.

In-Depth Inventory Panel

The Inspector Widgets provide a high-level overview at a glance:

File type and version
Print, web, or mobile intent
Page and spread counts
Fonts (used, missing, inactive)
Images (linked, embedded, resolution)

Everything is visible, organized, and easy to scan.

Detailed Inventory Views (For Power Users)

FlightCheck allows deep inspection of:

Fonts: Name, status, version, file path
Images: PPI, scaling, resolution, color mode
Colors: CMYK values and usage
Pages: Size, orientation, bleed
Print Info: Resolution, separations

All data can be exported as HTML, TXT, RTF, JSON, or XML for reporting or automation.

Automated Packaging (Huge Time Saver)

Packaging is where FlightCheck really shines.

It automatically collects:

Original DTP file
Exported PDF
Converted IDML file (optional)
Linked and embedded images
Used fonts
Inventory and package reports

Packages can be saved locally or sent directly to:

Creative Cloud
Dropbox
Google Drive
iCloud
Box

Perfect for sharing, printing, or long-term archiving.

White-Label Reports for Print Shops

FlightCheck allows custom-branded reports with your own logo and company details.

This is a powerful value-add for print shops and publishers working with clients.

Automation & Workflow Integration

Advanced users can integrate FlightCheck into automated workflows using:

AppleScript
Automator folder actions
Custom URL schemes
Hot folders

Example workflow:

Drop a file into a folder → auto preflight → generate HTML report → email it to production.

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Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Stand-alone (no Adobe dependency)	macOS only
Supports many file formats	Paid software
Deep preflight & inventory	Pro-level interface
Powerful packaging tools	No Windows version
Automation-ready

FlightCheck vs Adobe Preflight

Feature	FlightCheck	Adobe Preflight
Stand-alone app	Yes	No
Works without InDesign	Yes	No
Multi-format DTP support	Yes	Limited
Automated packaging	Advanced	Basic
White-label reports	Yes	No

If you only check PDFs occasionally, Adobe Preflight may be enough.
If you manage multiple formats or production jobs, FlightCheck offers far more control.

Real-World Use Cases

Graphic Designers

Catch issues before files go to print
Package complete jobs easily

Print Shops

Preflight client files
Reduce reprints and complaints

Publishers

Archive years of work with all assets
Standardize quality control

Customer Service Teams

Validate files before production
Prepare accurate job quotes
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Things to Consider Before Buying

Ask yourself:

Do I handle multiple design formats?
Do I need automated packaging?
Am I responsible for print accuracy?
Do I want fewer production errors?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, FlightCheck is worth serious consideration.

👉 See full features | Check latest pricing

FAQs – People Also Ask

Is Markzware FlightCheck free?
No, but a free trial is available.

Does FlightCheck require Adobe software?
No. It’s fully stand-alone.

Can FlightCheck preflight PDFs?
Yes, PDF preflighting is a core feature.

Is FlightCheck good for print shops?
Yes, it’s widely used in professional print environments.

Does it support QuarkXPress files?
Yes, including newer versions.

Can I export reports for automation?
Yes. HTML, JSON, XML, RTF, and TXT are supported.

Is there a Windows version?
Currently, FlightCheck is macOS-only.

Final Verdict: Is Markzware FlightCheck Worth It?

If your work depends on accuracy, consistency, and professional output, Markzware FlightCheck delivers exactly what it promises.

It’s not a casual tool for hobbyists.
It’s a serious preflight solution for professionals who can’t afford production errors.

For designers, print shops, and publishers, FlightCheck often pays for itself by preventing costly mistakes.