Graphic design is an essential part of marketing, and it can create a powerful visual impact. A well-designed piece of print collateral can capture attention, evoke emotions, and prompt the viewer to take action. However, to unlock the creative potential of graphic design and print production, it’s important to understand best practices that can help ensure that the final product looks its absolute best.
In this article, we will cover the do’s and don’ts of graphic design and printing best practices to help you boost your brand image and stand out from the competition. From ensuring that your files are in the correct color mode and format to properly understanding bleed and safety margins, we will provide an overview of everything you need to know to produce top-quality printed materials.
The key to successful print graphics is to keep them simple and easy to read. Overly complicated or flashy designs can be off-putting to customers and may even confuse the message of your brand.
It is also important to pay attention to typography. Fonts should be used sparingly, and they should be chosen carefully to maintain visual consistency. Incorporate plenty of white space, as this can make your print designs appear cleaner and more professional. And don’t forget to use spot colors — these are specific shades that fall outside of the standard CMYK color model — as these can add vibrancy and a unique touch to your designs.
The final step in the process of creating a printed material is to go through a prepress process. This is the process of preparing digital artwork for print and can include tasks like fixing colors, resizing art, and incorporating elements that are specific to your company or industry. Prepress is an essential step in ensuring that your print design meets industry standards and is ready for printing.
A final note about file types: Always be sure to use PDF files, as these are optimized for print and retain fonts and layout configurations. It is also important to convert your raster (pixel-based) images to CMYK in order to ensure that the colors will be accurate when printed. Lastly, it’s a good idea to use high-resolution images (300 dpi or higher) for the best possible print quality.
By following these do’s and don’ts of print design, you can create an attractive and engaging marketing tool that will help boost your brand image and stand out from the crowd. By learning the basics of color theory, bleed and safety margins, and spot colors, you can avoid making common mistakes that often lead to expensive reprints and ensure that your printed materials look their absolute best.
By outsourcing the work to a professional print shop, your business can save time and money while ensuring that all projects are completed correctly. In addition, the expertise and experience of a professional graphic designer can help your business grow by helping you develop new strategies for achieving your marketing goals.