These days you often hear that if one has the right computer and software then anyone can be a designer. But to make excellent designs for print, it takes more than just the right tools.
Certainly it is true that the tools of graphic design are more accessible and easier to learn and use then ever before. This is a great thing. However, from a print provider’s perspective, we know that designing for print is a craft that takes time and a drive to learn and master many skills.
As printer’s we love working with designers who bring us interesting and challenging print design projects. After all that is why we are in the business. But successful print design requires not only big ideas, but an attention to detail and a general understanding and respect for the technical nature of printing.
So, can just anyone be a graphic designer? Sure! She or He just needs to put in the time and dedicate themselves to learning the craft.
That said, if you are going forward with your own designs for printed materials, here are 3 points to consider.
1. Use real print design software.
Programs like Microsoft Word and Apple Pages are great for many things. Honestly, we know they are, and we try to remind ourselves of that once in a while. But when you are laying out an important print design project to be professionally printed, they are seriously lacking. From embedded fonts, to transparencies, to color settings, there are many things these programs can’t do from a print perspective. Often it is best just to leave them behind.
Programs like Adobe Creative Cloud, including Illustrator and InDesign, or Quark are really the way to go. Not only do they offer greater flexibility and control when you are designing, but they also offer your printer more ways to fix potential problems. This ease and flexibility means greater cost savings in the long run for printing – something other programs can’t quite match.
2. Make sure your artwork separates.
Many a beautiful print project has entered our doors only to be derailed by color separation problems. Even seasoned and knowledgeable print designers have missed a few and let a mix of color spaces, or an odd ink choice into a project. That means wasted time and money. A file with these issues will need to be edited, or in some cases returned to the designer for a bigger fix.
It always pays to review the colors in your project to make sure that the black you are using in one section is the same type of black throughout. Are the inks you have selected a match for the paper you chose? Are they all that way? Are you mixing inks for coated and uncoated papers? Are all your photos in the same color space?
We know your design is fantastic, and we want to help you out, so check again. Time, money, you understand!
Not sure what separations even are? Check here.
3. When in doubt pay a professional.
Okay, are we cheating here on our 3 reasons? Well, maybe a little, but honestly we think this is really important. We said at the top of the post that anyone can be a designer, but the question really is, does everyone need to be a designer?
It’s important because, your business, your organization, or plans for world domination are all important. When you create printed materials, you are making something that will become a voice for you and your mission. If you want to really make your materials look great and reflect that importance in every interaction, then hiring experienced professionals is the best way to get it done.
We think of it in a similar way to working on our house. There are somethings we trust ourselves to do – easy jobs like painting walls, or plunging a sink. But for the big jobs, the truly important jobs, you hire an expert. Someone you know will produce a result you cannot, and will do it much more quickly, and much less expensively than you could by yourself.
When you value your business and the message you are trying to present, that is the same attitude we believe you should take with print design.
If you need help with a print design project or are looking for professional and cost-effective graphic design services, we would be happy to help you. You can email us here or feel free to give us a call at 215.364.3898.
cutpasteandprint Printing, graphic design, binding, and promotional product specialists in Huntingdon Valley, PA. We proudly serve the Bucks and Montgomery County areas with superior quality, great customer service, and a commitment to getting you and your the best possible printed materials. Our services include: Digital Printing, Offset Printing, Graphic Design, Promotional Items, Bindery, and Copying.
estimating@cutpasteandprint.com • 215.364.3898
