**Much like a pilot carries out a number of pre-flight checks before take-off; a creative agency has to carry out a number of important pre-print checks before sending your proofs to the printer.**
Everything from the paper it’s printed on, to the special finishes plays an important role in how your printed business literature is perceived. With so much riding on it then, you need to make sure you’re completing these pre-print checks.
After all, if you notice a typo on a website or an error in the design it is quick and easy to change.
If you notice the same error on a batch of printed leaflets, the only way to fix it is to dig deep and opt for a complete – and costly – reprint.
(link: https://www.superdream.co.uk/the-power-of-print/ text: The power of print) is undeniable – reaching out to your customers on a personal level is one of the best ways to increase your conversions after all – but you need to make sure your documents are completely print-ready before you send them to your printer.
Here, we’re going to reveal your essential pre-print checklist and share the seven main things you should always do before going to print:
1. Check the bleed
Every graphic designer worth their salt knows that failing to put a decent bleed on your artwork is asking for trouble. “Bleed” refers to artwork that extends beyond the boundaries of your document, ensuring that when its cut to size no artwork is chopped off accidentally.
It’s recommended to have a bleed of 3mm for so-called ‘hand-held’ jobs – posters, letterheads, leaflets, etc – but you will need a larger one for bigger jobs. Before you send any artwork to your printer, make sure there is a clear bleed to help save reprints.
2. Convert images to CMYK
Can you confidently say you know the difference between RGB and CMYK? Failing to learn the basics can result in designers making some very expensive mistakes when it comes to sending documents to print.
Before you send off any artwork, you need to make sure you’ve converted all the images in your document to CMYK. While many modern PDF converters will do this automatically when you save a file, you need to do it manually.
This is because the conversion could play havoc with your colours and throw your whole design out of sync.
3. Image resolutions
If you’ve used images in your artwork, you need to ensure their resolution is at least 300 pixels per inch (PPI). Before making any final decisions, consult with your printer as they will be able to tell you the optimum resolution for the type of document you’re printing.
Setting the PPI too low can result in a poor quality print, with pixelated images that aren’t fit for purpose. The common error here is that some designers use a 72 dots per inch (DPI) image instead of a 300 PPI one.
This confusion arises most frequently when images that were initially intended for the web make their way onto printed artwork. To avoid resolution and colour issues, be sure to carefully and professionally convert your images.
4. Embed your fonts
Are you using a custom font in your artwork? While interesting and unique typography can pack a punch, you need to be aware that your printer might not have the same fonts. This will result in a replacement font being used, which will go against all of your (link: https://www.superdream.co.uk/the-importance-of-brand-guidelines/ text: brand guidelines). To avoid this, you should embed the fonts in your PDF. If you’re working on a smaller document, you could convert the font paths, which will do the same job and help keep your work consistent.
5. Proofread
If you didn’t write the original copy for a document, you might feel like you can gloss over this step. But failing to notice spelling and grammar errors is a costly mistake that can ruin your credibility as a designer. It may be (link: https://www.superdream.co.uk/writing-quality-content/ text: killer copy popup: true title: The 6 Step Plan to Writing Killer Content), but a few silly errors will really let you down.
Be sure to carefully read all of the text, and even ask someone else to cast their eyes over it. You should also send your proofs to the client for sign off to confirm they are happy with all the details. The cost of running a reprint can be huge, so try and avoid making this mistake and always sending a perfect job to print.
6. Hard copy proofs
The only way to be really sure of how well your artwork is going to print is to invest in hard copy proofs. Not only can you see if any alterations need to be made, but the client can also pass accurate judgement and make changes accordingly.
Some printers won’t require proofs for smaller jobs, but you should still be using – at a minimum – their colour charts. For larger and more expensive jobs, printed proofs are recommended. Output them at a 100% scale if possible, to give a true representation of the work you want completing.
7. Know your printer’s limits
Our final pre-print check is to consult with your printer.
You might have big plans for paper finishes, die cuts, and special elements, but they might not be possible for the type of job. Understand the limits of your printer and their equipment before quoting on a job, so you don’t end up having to make some very expensive decisions and changes.
These are just seven of the things you should do before going to print, to ensure that any (link: https://www.superdream.co.uk/creative/printed-literature/ text: printed literature) looks the very best it can. By working with a leading creative agency, you can rest assured that all these elements are taken care of, and that you will receive a high quality job every time.