Print production is a complex task and requires varied skills. Even the experienced web designers find it difficult to accomplish the printing projects in feasible manners. A small printing mistake may spoil the whole show and lead to losses.
Creating effective print materials requires good know-how and the requisite skills. The web designers need to know how to set up documents, prepare the files for the print vendor and a b c of signs and print ltd shop.
The following tips can be of great help for the web designers:
a. Right tools – A print project requires gathering information about the project. The contents of the project are the deciding factors in determining the requisite tools for use for designing the print files. Main emphasis is on the design portion. Is it made up of the photographic images or it includes stylized text? Is the designing project related to a text-only single page flyer? Does the print project involve a multi page brochure with variety of images and columns of text? All these aspects must be focused to choose the right tools.
b. Adobe Photoshop CC – The content should be edited on a canvas in the Adobe Photoshop CC if the photographs or bitmap graphics are retouched.
c. Adobe Illustrator CC – Those designing a simple text-based layout or making illustrations are advised to work exclusively on Adobe Illustrator CC. A single Illustrator file may suffice for accomplishing varied print designs in a single Illustrator document. Letterheads, business cards and envelopes can be had on separate artboards (workspaces) with the help of single Illustrator. Consistent color palettes and updating is easier for keeping the three designs in one master source file.
d. Adobe InDesign CC – It can be used for print projects that involve bitmaps, header text, vector graphics and columns of type. It can be useful for laying out more than three pages. Consistency and page numbering can be improved.
e. Those going ahead with the print project must ask their clients about the dimensions of the final print document. Color requirements should also be confirmed from them. Inquiry about the print vendor should also be made.
f. Knowing the exact dimensions of the page in advance is helpful to create the source file. The width can be set and the height can be matched with the final print output.
g. Focus should be emphasized on the number of colors as the print vendor would charge by the color. A CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) is treated as a four-color print job and is charged accordingly. It involves all colors in separate passes and additional steps.
h. Identifying the print shop producing the job is recommended. It is advised to follow their advice for producing a file for attaining the best possible print quality.
i. Submission of PDF file rather than the Illustrator, InDesign or Photoshop document is recommended. As the PDF files are able to encapsulate layouts and most of the fonts, there is no chance of designs to get changed. But successful printing by the printer may require you for the native files for performing the changes, if necessary. Both PDF and the native files are equally important for many printers.
Sufficient knowledge of signs and print ltd shop with regard to the above aspects of print projects is helpful for successful accomplishment of the task.
