You may think you are an expert on graphic designers. Designers use special software and design principles to create logos, websites, and other digital content such as infographics. It’s that simple.
But not so fast. While the digital graphic design may be the most prominent, that doesn’t mean that print design is dead. Print design is still an essential part of the design industry. Incoming graphic designers must have strong print design skills to succeed in the workplace.
What is print design? And why is it important? This often overlooked aspect of graphic design was answered by design experts.
Print design: What is it, and why is it important?
Print designs are printed on media such as brochures, billboards, and business cards rather than in digital spaces like websites. Print design has the same goal as digital designs: to communicate a message to viewers using visual graphics.
The print design might be rare at first glance. You’ll soon see that print design is everywhere. Print designs are a common part of everyday life. This makes graphic design crucial to advertising campaigns and brand marketing.
“Tons and tons of print collateral and media are still very relevant today,” Dana S. Hewling says, creator and creative director at B.ID LLC. “People should be reachable in both digital and real life.”
Communication is at the heart of graphic design. Print design is just one way to reach your audience and share your message. Howling states that print design will continue to be necessary even if everyone can digitally project all of their messages. You should be able to create strong and compelling print pieces that will help you build stronger relationships with your target.
Print design is evolving with digital technology. Mark Krenn, founder and CEO of Coastal Creative, points out that marketing and experiential design “bridge the gap between offline and online worlds” with immersive print design. The print design will not disappear anytime soon, thanks to the new technology that combines print design and the digital space. Advertisers need comprehensive campaigns that reach all potential customers. This means that a mix of digital and printed advertising will continue to be viable.
Different types of print design
We take print design for granted, and it is everywhere. Print media is still a key component of traditional business marketing. In the publishing industry, print design is a key component. A well-designed cover can help increase book sales.
These are just a few examples of types of print design you should be aware of:
Business cards
Packaging, labels and shopping bags with branding
Brochures
Billboards
Interiors and book covers
Magazines and newspapers
Signage
Stationery
Invitations and greeting cards
Calendars
Posters
Menus
Banners
Print design vs digital design
Both digital and print designs have many similarities. Both share the goal of communicating with a target audience. The basic principles of design are the same for digital and print media. There are a few ways that creating printed designs is different from digital ones.
Krenn says that print designers must be able to work within a set of parameters and ensure the final product is perfect. This is different from digital design work, as digital design can easily correct mistakes and errors.
Another point is that print design can be more expensive than digital. An error in a printed job can cost you thousands of dollars. This can result in a material loss that could cost thousands and require a complete redo. Krenn points out that printing design has hard fixed costs that aren’t comparable to digital.
The additional challenge for print designers is working within narrow parameters. There is a limit on the size of banners or business cards and the maximum number of words that can fit in a magazine spread. These boundaries must be kept in mind by print designers at all times.
Print design skills are essential for the workforce.
Graphic designers require special skills to meet the challenges of printing design. This area of design requires you to use a variety of software programs and understand the basic principles of print design for you to succeed.
Howling advises that print designers should always be aware of the resolution to ensure the best quality printing. You must use the right tools and resources for the job. Howling points out that not all Photoshop(rs) are the same in the print world. Howling recommends Adobe Illustrator(r) and Adobe InDesign (r) to master text-heavy layouts such as books and magazines for large-format print pieces.
Although these skills are specific to print design, they can be applied to any career in graphic design. Krenn states that offline work can help designers focus and allow them to think more creatively. This can then be transferred to digital. This will allow designers to improve their skills and showcase various works quickly.
The print design could be an interesting part of your career.
You might consider a career as a graphic designer if you are interested in a career that includes print design. Are you curious about the other opportunities that graphic design has to offer? These 8 Types Of Graphic Design Jobs You Might Not Be averse to
