There are steps that you can take, whether you are a professional designer or a novice to printing. A well-organized document can save you a lot of trouble later. These are our top 10 tips for getting your design printed.
Use CMYK and not RGB
Even if your file is set up to RGB, every screen displays colors differently. You can ensure that the color of your printouts is consistent regardless of which printer you use. Use a CMYK color scheme to print a document instead of RGB. CMYK is Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow. It’s also known as Key (an alternative name for black). These are the most popular ink cartridges. Using these values will give you the best print results. To ensure your design is exactly the right color, you can select certain Pantone(r), colors to get it.
OFFSET VS. DIGITAL PRINTING
Consider whether your project will be printed digitally or offset. Offset printing works well for large projects and will closely match the exact color. Digital printing can be cheaper than offset, and it is more cost effective for smaller projects.
Select the right resolution
There are two things that differ in size and resolution. A file may be 1000×1500 pixels in size. However, a 72 dpi resolution will allow it to print larger but may make it look grainy. A file with 300 dpi will produce a smaller print, but better quality. To get the perfect size print, consider both file size and resolution.
Keep your design at 300 dots per inch if you plan to print it.
Double-check your images
Your file must be at the correct resolution. Scale down if you have to scale an image. To ensure that your image doesn’t look pixelated on the printed page, you can use professional photo editing software such as Photoshop.
Make sure you check the file type for each image. TIFF files have a higher quality than JPGs and PNGs. A JPG image may work well for printing, but it can be less quality. While a TIFF file is larger than JPGs or PNGs, it can still be used for print. However, they will take up more memory on your computer.
If possible, use a TIFF file. However, a PNG will suffice in most cases!
Save your document as the right file type
You can save your file as a PDF if you are printing the file yourself. It is easier to save your work as a PDF file since your file will not look different on different screen sizes than what happens often with.docx files.
Another option is to save an InDesign package that contains both. idd and the .df files. This gives your printer the freedom to work directly with the pdf or edit the final document to ensure everything is ready for printing.
Discuss your preferences with your printer!
You can add any Bleed, Slug, or Crop Marks
Bleed refers to any space in a document beyond the intended size. It is used to ensure that the design extends to the edge of the page when printed. The bleed is usually cropped once the file has been printed. This happens under the guidance of crop marks or printer marks. The bleed and markings prevent excess white from being created by the printer.
Good bleed can vary depending on the project’s size, but should always be at least.125″ to 3mm.
Consider Paperweight/Finish
The printing company can help choose the right weight and finish your project. Some projects may have limited options depending on how large the product will be. A glossy finish is great for posters and flyers, but it can be more costly than regular printer paper. Lighter paper is cheaper but heavier paper can make your design stand out, especially if you plan to print a business card.
You can create your design based on the size of the print
After your project has been printed, you can’t zoom in on the type or adjust its size. Make sure that your design is the right size. Your design will not be printed if it is too large to read from far away. It is equally important to consider the purpose of the print. If you are printing large-format material, ensure that the type can be read far away.
Get a proof
A test print is often called proof. This allows you to check the design. Although your proof does not have to be exactly the same quality as the final product, it will give you an idea of how your design will look on paper. Proof can be printed to help you catch errors in your text and save money.
Tell your printer what embellishments you want
A professional printer’s ability to add more flavor to your design is one of the best things about it. You can count on a good printer to provide the following:
These embellishments can make your printed product more expensive but they are a great way for your finished product to stand out.
Remember Turnaround Time
Are you pressed for time and need to print right away? You can choose a printer that has a quick turnaround time, or you can get your design done before others. It’s better to submit your printing request early so that the printer has enough time to print twice as many copies as you require. Printing early will help you avoid printing errors or delays and also save time if you don’t need your design printed right away.
Let it go to Presto Print
The number eleven tip is to let us handle it! Our in-house team of graphic designers can help you print your design so that you are 100% satisfied with the printed product. We offer fast turnaround times so you can get your project printed quickly for an event or if it is urgent.
