We all know that when it’s time to submit their projects to print, even the finest designers break out in cold sweat. When it comes to getting your product ready for commercial printing, there are many checklists and nuances to remember. This guide will provide you with the most up-to-date technical advice, best practices and a step-by-step walkthrough of how to get a project from your computer to the printing press.
1. Make Sure To Embed Your Fonts
You shouldn’t expect a printing service to have every font selection, especially if you used any unusual fonts in your design. To retain the integrity of your design, embed your fonts right into the page in question. This avoids font substitutions, which can happen if the printer doesn’t have your particular font. There is a noticeable difference between Garamond and Bookman, Courier and Times, as any designer would know, therefore it’s definitely worth the time to provide your font files with the document!
2. Look Over Your Document for Typo Errors
You’ve undoubtedly heard a tale or two about proofreading gone bad. We’ve all been there: a misspelt phone number or site address or a slew of errors that no one noticed. It’s a nightmare that might lose you not just money and reputation but also your client. Therefore, allow plenty of time in your production timeline for proofreading.
3. Use CMYK Instead of RGB
Most of the colours on your screen are put together by your computer using the RGB colour space. A printing press employs the CMYK colour space to create matching colours using only four ink colours: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black (also known as the 4 Color Process). Your files must be submitted to a professional printer in the CMYK colour format, or your photos and colours will seem washed out and muddy.
4. Mind the Print Size
Sending a document that is too tiny is one of the most typical printing blunders. If not addressed before the final run, it can result in a fuzzy print and lacking clarity owing to a lack of resolution. To avoid this humiliating result, make sure your document is the same size as the one that will be printed. When images, fonts and layout are designed at actual size, the margin for error with graphics, typefaces and layout is reduced once printed. If you don’t take proper precautions, something that appears fantastic on your computer may look wacky when it’s printed on a surface way beyond its original specifications.
5. Double-Check the Resolution and Image Sizes
Before printing, double-check the resolution of your images. This includes the resolution of the pictures in your design and the resolution at which you save the entire final document. Print objects should be saved at a resolution of 300 DPI or higher. With that in mind, it’s a sound practice to opt for the maximum resolution every chance you get. Though you can reduce the size of an image if necessary, adding pixels could prove tricky.
Conclusion
There are other more complex strategies to utilise when it comes to making files ready for printing, but these are the most important ones to keep an eye out for. These steps help you save money while ensuring that the work you create meets your high standards every time.
While precautions are essential, a quality printing partner is an absolute must-have! PrintPal London offers high-quality graphic design and printing solutions for all your branding materials. Get in touch with us today!
