Have you ever sent something off to the printer only to get back a batch of prints with pixelated images or incorrect colors? Printing mistakes can be costly, time-consuming, and frustrating, especially when you’re on a deadline or budget. Whether you’re printing business cards, flyers, or posters, there are a few common mistakes that can easily be avoided with a little knowledge and preparation.
In this guide, we’ll break down the most common printing mistakes and give you tips on how to avoid them, ensuring you get high-quality prints every time.
Understanding the Basics of Printing
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s make sure we’ve covered the printing basics. This will help make your final print look its best.
Choosing the Right File Format
Selecting the right file format is one of the first steps to avoid printing errors. For most professional printing jobs, PDF is the go-to format. It preserves the layout, fonts, and images exactly as intended, ensuring your design looks consistent on all platforms.
PDFs are the go-to file format, but formats like TIFF and EPS are also great for images. It's best to stay away from formats like JPG and PNG for printing. These formats compress images, which can lead to poor print quality.
Importance of Resolution and DPI
One of the most common mistakes in digital printing is using low-resolution JPEGs for printing purposes. While JPEGs are great for web graphics, they often fall short when it comes to print. Why? Because low-resolution JPEGs lack the detail needed for crisp, clear prints. This can lead to blurry or pixelated images that don't look professional.
Think of resolution as the clarity of an image. When it comes to printing, we measure resolution in DPI (dots per inch). An image with a low DPI, below 300, can look blurry or pixelated when printed. To avoid this, always make sure your images have a DPI of at least 300 for sharp, professional marketing materials.
Understanding Color Modes and Their Impact on Print Quality
Color modes play a crucial role in determining the final print quality of your documents and images. Understanding the differences between RGB and CMYK color modes is essential to avoid mistakes in digital printing.
RGB colors are created by combining light emitted from a screen, making them perfect for digital displays. However, printed materials rely on ink absorption, which is where CMYK comes into play. Using RGB colors directly in print can lead to discrepancies in color representation, resulting in a final print that looks different from what you see on your computer screen.
Converting RGB to CMYK can result in noticeable shifts in color tones and loss of vibrancy. This is because the RGB model has a wider gamut, meaning it can display a broader range of colors compared to CMYK.
Despite its limited range, CMYK is the standard color mode used in print production. To ensure your printed materials look as intended, always convert your designs to CMYK before sending them to print.
Common Printing Mistakes
Ready to master the art of print production and eliminate common errors that can compromise your designs?
Incorrect Margins and Bleed Settings
When you design without setting proper margins or bleed, you risk having important parts of your design cut off. Bleed is the area that extends beyond the actual trim size of your document.
Low-Quality Images
Using images that are too small or have a low resolution can result in unprofessional prints. Always use high-resolution images (300 DPI or higher) and avoid enlarging small images, which can cause blurriness or pixelation.
Wrong Color Settings (RGB vs. CMYK)
One of the most common mistakes people make when printing is using the wrong color mode. Your design might look great on your computer screen in RGB, but for printing, you need to convert it to CMYK.
RGB is used for digital screens, while CMYK is specifically for printing. Failing to convert to CMYK can make colors look dull or entirely different from what you expected.
Missing Fonts or Font Embedding Issues
If your design contains custom fonts that aren’t embedded in the file, they might not display correctly when printed. Always make sure your fonts are embedded or outlined in your file to avoid any surprises with the final print.
Related Blog: The Most Popular Fonts in Graphic Design
Clarity of Text
Clarity is important when printing text. If your text is blurry, pixelated, or hard to read, it can impact the overall quality. Elements like low resolution and incorrect font settings can contribute to these issues. Always use the right font sizes to make your printed text crisp and clear.
How to Avoid Mistakes During Design
Now you know the common printer problems. Now, we’ll look at how to identify and correct design errors before they become costly problems.
Proper Use of Bleeds and Trim Marks
Ensuring your design has proper bleed and trim marks is crucial for a professional finish. Bleed allows the design to extend past the edge of the page, while trim marks show where the printer should cut the paper. If you neglect these elements, your prints might end up with white edges or misaligned cuts.
Checking Proofs Before Final Print
Proofing is a vital step in the printing process. Always ask your printer for proof before going into full production. This is your chance to check for errors, verify colors, and ensure everything looks exactly as it should. Skipping this step can lead to costly mistakes.
Printing Tip: A fresh perspective can help you catch mistakes. Consider having a peer review of your print project.
Setting the Correct Page Size
This is a common mistake whether printing with an online printer or from home. Always set your document to the correct page size from the start to avoid resizing headaches later.
Before you begin designing, know the exact dimensions you need for your print project. Whether it's a standard postcard size, such as 4 x 6 inches, or a size for your business cards, having the correct dimensions will save you time and frustration.
Optimizing Image Resolution and Size
Image resolution and size are critical factors in determining your documents' and images' final print quality. Using high-resolution images specifically tailored for printing is essential to avoid blurry or pixelated prints.
The ideal resolution for high-quality photo prints is 300 dots per inch (DPI). To calculate the practical maximum print size, divide the image’s pixel dimensions by 300. For example, an image that is 3000 pixels wide can be printed up to 10 inches wide without losing quality.
Using images with insufficient resolution can result in poor print quality, especially for large-format printing. Resizing images without adjusting the resolution can lead to a loss of image quality. Always ensure your images are high-resolution and appropriately sized for your printing purposes to achieve the best print quality.
Working with an Online Printing Company
Ready to take your print projects to the next level? Here are a few simple tips to make your printing process go smoothly.
Communicating Clearly
Clear communication with your online printer is key to a successful print project. Let them know your expectations, preferred paper stock, and special finishes like spot UV or foil stamping. Don’t expect the printer to read your mind. Tell them exactly what you want.
Don't be afraid to ask questions! You want the best results, and your online printer intends to deliver them.
Asking for Print Samples or Proofs
Always ask for a free sample pack before committing to a large print project. It's a great way to feel and see different paper stocks, various sizes, and finishes, such as Stamped Foil and Spot UV, and others, including Inline Foil and more.
A print proof is also super helpful. It lets you catch any mistakes before the final print run, giving you peace of mind that the end result will be exactly what you envisioned.
Related Blog: What is the Difference Between Matte Card Stock vs Glossy
Understanding Turnaround Times and Deadlines
Printers usually have set turnaround times, so clearly communicating your deadlines is important. If you need your prints by a specific date, make sure your printer knows this in advance to avoid any last-minute stress.
Final Thought
Avoiding common printing mistakes comes down to preparation and communication. By understanding the basics of file formats, resolution, and color settings and by working closely with your printer, you can ensure a smooth and successful print job. Always proof your design, set the right bleed and margins, and choose high-quality images for a professional finish.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your design, Print Cartel is here to help.
