Print design is a niche field, especially in today’s digital age. These ten tips will help you improve your print design skills if you’re a beginner designer.
The Bleeding Area
A document with elements or images that touch the page’s edge is known as the bleed area. A bleed area in a print design means that it must be printed on a larger sheet of paper, then trimmed down.
Example: If your brochure has images that extend to the sides of the pages, you will need to provide your printing company with a document that is slightly larger than the final document. This will ensure that images are not cut off by the printer.
The standard size of the bleed area is three millimeters, but it can vary.
The Overprint Option
Do you have a limited budget? Can only use two Pantone colors for your design? This shouldn’t be a problem! This gives you the freedom to be creative. Graphic designers love a challenge.
You can achieve more depth using overprint options. Look below to see how an overlapping of colors can make a design more appealing.
This work can be done with only two colors. Try out Monotone and Duotone options.
Look beyond the lines
Never underestimate the power and potential of the human brain. Our minds are able to fill in the gaps and see the larger picture. Professionally executed, creative use of paper can be amazing.
Remember that your print design doesn’t have to stop at the edges of your print. There’s always room to be creative.
Do not be held back by paper size
Don’t feel restricted by the paper size. You don’t need to use a standard A4 flyer. Be creative! You can create a pop-up or accordion print design, or rounded edges. Advanced die-cut printing technology opens up a world of possibilities.
Talk to your printer to learn more about the options available to you.
Readability
Do you work on a text-rich print design, such as a brochure? Print design requires that you spend a lot of time focusing on the text. Content is king, as they say. Typography is an essential part of the design process.
Be ‘eye-catching’, but remember that readability is the most important aspect.
Your Design and Typography
Bad typography can spell doom for your entire design. Your choice of font will set the tone for your entire design. Your font is what gives life to your design. You don’t have to choose the first font you like. Think about your audience and what voice you want them to hear.
Find out which fonts work well together and which ones don’t. Think about your header font and how it relates to the fonts used in your content. When choosing fonts, readability should always be your top priority. This is the number one rule!
Content: There is less than enough
Your design may be cluttered with too much text. Look at the most important elements, make sure the message is clear and concise, and ensure that the Call to Action is easily understood.
When it comes to design, there is no need for too much. Your audience shouldn’t be overwhelmed. You don’t want to overwhelm your audience. They won’t read or understand your content.
Never forget the grid
Grids are essential for good print design. Use composition guidelines and proportional relationships to build your print design concept.
There are many grid options available, including the 3-column grid shown above and 2-column overlaps. You can play around with your design and find the one that works best for you.
Make an Impact by Inverting
Do you want to have a greater design impact? Invert your design. Your design will stand out if you use white on black or any other dark color.
When using the inverted design, it is important to remember that smaller font sizes are not recommended. These designs can be difficult to invert as the ink may move around after printing. This is known as trapping. It all depends on the paper you choose and your printer speed.
Talk to your printer before you assume that your smaller designs cannot be inverted. Technology has advanced, and professional printing companies will be able to provide a solution.
Photographic Content of High Quality
High-quality photos are essential. Great images can elevate your design to the next level. Your design will be immediately damaged if it is pixelated or low-resolution. Poor images can make for an unprofessional design that will result in a poor print campaign. High-quality photography content is essential!
Jetline: Professional Print Design and Printing Company South Africa
Jetline understands and appreciates the importance of printed marketing materials. We offer a variety of print options that can be tailored to fit any budget. We work closely with you to achieve the best possible result.
Although paper size standards are excellent, don’t let that stop you from pursuing your goals
For example, square booklets are more engaging to read than smaller ones (A5 for instance). However, they are easier to carry around with you. Take a chance on the A4 standard and fly away.
Content: Less is more
You may feel that your page is too full if you think so. Make sure you know what is essential and get rid of any visual clutter. Although it may sound cliché, the truth is that less is more. Tell the client if you are being forced to put too much content on one webpage.
Typography is the king
No amount of lines and other elements can fix a bad typographical layout. You choose the fonts that you use most often in your project. This is how your project will feel. Don’t just pick the font you like. Think about the tone it should have and how you can communicate it to your target audience. The basic fonts that are well-designed can be fun: Helvetica and Swiss, as well as Akzidenz Grotesk, will keep you safe from all the typographic horror stories.
It can take time to become familiar with a font. It is a good idea to make a list of five to eight fonts that you feel could work well for you, and then focus on them. This is a great way to discover which fonts work well together and which ones don’t.
