Two things must click in your mind when we speak of ‘designing for print’. Number one is the ability of the finalized pattern to look good on paper. While number two is the smooth transformation of the plan into the executed form. Now, both aspects are quite significant, so let us shed more light on them.
This can be challenging, but if you wish to get an extraordinary outcome, the efforts also have to be more than usual. In addition, there will be very low or zero chances of slip-ups allowed because one small bit can lead to a major flaw in the result.
Hence, if you are inexperienced and struggling to get past the minefield of mistakes, then you must read this blog.
Prepping the Design & Sending to Print
The process is a little puzzling but not as tough as hissing and yawning simultaneously. Hence, act a little more high-spirited, and the destination will not be very far.
The internet does not have a lot written about this topic, which is why we brought you this article. It has all the details that you need to know, from colour profiling to sizing and software applications to image resolutions.
Therefore, no matter what you are designing, just save this article. This will be your go-to guide for designing corporate and personal media.
Below are the eight steps of getting your design-print ready. Allow us to walk you through this exciting process.
Outline Your Requirements
We begin with the very significant part, where you first need to know what your requirements and needs are as a client. You must be sure of the print format and the optimal layout margin that you look forward to in the print.
Apart from this, before you communicate with the vendor, you also need to be certain of the colour theme and profile. Hence, just be aware of everything that you want to see in the result.
A simple trick for this is to have a reference image or a rough sketch of what you have in mind. Moreover, if you need any support services like what the Designing and printing services in Dubai offer then now is the time to gather your scattered thoughts about them.
Familiarizing with the Software
You must have heard of popular app names like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. They are the most powerful tools that are used around the globe for tailoring print designs.
Here are some very useful tips that you must know:
- You need to adjust the resolution setting as you set up a new file and set it to 300 PPI.
- Fix all bleeding fields by adding 0.25 to the four sides of the design in Photoshop while keeping it 0.125 inches for the other two apps.
- Do not forget to save the bleeds with the final document.
Understand the Pixels and Dots
Next up is the image resolution. This part has two significant elements – PPI (Pixels per Inch) and DPI (Dots per Inch).
Both of them refer to the tiny dots, also known as pixels, which make up an image on a screen, but there is a slight difference. PPI is for digital presence, whereas DPI is for the printing resolution.
The higher the pixels or dots per inch, the clearer the image will be; thus, make sure to correctly align both of them. In addition, it is beneficial to confirm his image resolution settings with the vendor. It should ideally be 300 DPI.
Navigating Areas on the Sheet
There will be at least three areas on the (supposed printing) A4 sheet that require your complete attention. The first one is the bleeding perimeter. It lies in the outermost part of the page, starting from the edges and going up to 3 mm, as per UK standards. It acts like safety coverage for your design.
Then comes the trimming area, just on top of the bleed line. This is where the image or text will start clipping. Nothing goes past this line so make sure the layout is prepared, keeping that in mind.
Lastly, there is a safe zone. This is where the major elements, like the pictures and writing, go. As its name suggests, under these parameters, everything is safe.
Learning the Colour Profiles
Primarily, you need to know about CMYK – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. They are the colour profiles you will need for printing. On the other hand, RGB – Red, Green and Blue, the additive colours work best for on-screen images.
Playing with the colour combinations using CMYK’s subtractive mode seems entertaining, but it is very technical. The different inks come together to create the required hues: light and dark shades. Hence, make sure that you set CMYK as the colour mode while designing.
Basics of Typesetting & Fonts
Turn your fonts into vector line art before sending your file to the print shop. This means that the fonts transform into a shape and are no longer editable. As a result, when the shop owner downloads the file on their computer, even the smallest of details will be in place.
Creating font outlines saves you from working twice on the format, but only if you save that as a new file and not overwriting the old one. If you make this mistake, then nobody will be able to make changes in the text, not even you.
Wrap Everything up for Exporting
Before you hit that ‘send’ button, we need you to have a word with the print shop owner. It is crucial because everyone has a different requirement for the file format.
Some of them accept .ai. Some prefer .psd, while others are more comfortable with the .indd arrangement. Therefore, a foolproof way is to either ask them directly or just avoid the forbidden styles as a whole. For example, you must never send any Google Docs, Word Docs or PowerPoint presentations. However, if you still feel a little lost, seek help from Graphic design services in Dubai.
Final Test Runs for Validation
As you proceed further, now is the time to stroke some final touches. This includes making sure that your design aligns perfectly with the final binding and folding that you need. Moreover, you also need to add in the blank pages wherever required.
A safe way to do this is to create a mock-up and send it to the printer. It will allow him to follow your lead and take into consideration all necessary changes. Later, you must ask them for professional proof to review the outcome. As a result, you can check for any inaccuracies and quality compromises and fix them right away.
Q. Why is it necessary for me to follow the printer’s instructions?
All the clients must follow the instructions given very religiously because if he does not, then there will be severe consequences, such as bleeds, muted colours, images with destroyed or blurred pixels, etc. Moreover, there is a higher possibility that issues arise with the sizing. Therefore, if you want premium quality, then you should not mess around.
Q. What are the top five tips that will help me a long way?
- Always pick the most adequate application to work with.
- Then, start your design with the right size and margins.
- After that, make sure your format and spacing are accurate.
- Keep the reference picture in your mind.
- If any element of your design seems blurry on screen, never ignore it.
Q. Why does the JPEG format not work well for printing files?
The JPEG form is not the ideal choice. It tends to lose some of the finishing details of the document while saving. This means that the file is never the same as you want it to be, but the worst is yet to come. The elements of the document that are compromised will never be reversed to their original forms.
Q. How can I improve the overall quality of my prints?
A good-quality print has a clear, sharp and crisp outlook. It has a better attention-to-detail perspective, and this is possible if you optimize the printer resolution settings. Moreover, you can also adjust the ink density and paper stock’s quality to get high-quality output.
Have a One-on-one with Your Publicist
For starters, you need to stop being anxious about hitting the print button, and then you must start having faith in yourself. After learning about the depths of print-ready designs, there is no way that you will be second-guessing yourself. Not anymore!
However, if you still feel a little nervous, have a reasonable conversation with your print supplier. His advice will be more professional and precise because he deals with amateurs every single day of his work life. He knows how to guide you. So, trust him and trust the process.