The Quick and Easy Way To Get Professional Printing For

I remember having to write about an article on how your graphic designer can cost you money. Sure, your graphic designer can have all the blame when you find out later that your material cannot be run through the press right away because there are changes to make and errors to correct.

However, you as the client may also prevent errors from happening, especially costly ones, when you yourself are aware of several things at the onset of the job.

I found the following questions from another designer helpful when dealing with printing projects. I would like to share it with you:

To check on configuration and presentation, were you able to do a "dummy" or a mock up of your job?

Can we print on a smaller press, and thus save money if we change the dimensions of the job?

Are you sure about the quantity? (Re-runs cost lots more than extended first runs.)

Has the job been proof-read by several people before press time? Different sets of eyes see different sides to the job.

Are the photos in the document checked, or retouched? Some photos need to be retouched because color prints can get darker after scanning; large reductions make shadow areas heavier.

Do you need a color key as well as a blueprint? Blueprints do not always indicate color breaks and trapping clearly.

Is the paper opacity sufficient or will there be see-throughs in the job?

Is the texture of the paper alright or will the job have to be laser-printed afterwards?

Is there a stock that we can substitute to save money but still look as good?

Will ink colors change when printed on a given sheet? (Printing inks are transparent. Its result on the paper depends on the brightness or "yellowness" of a white paper, and more dramatic changes when transferred to colored papers.)

Is it necessary to use additional plates or tint underlays to get the right result for ink coverage?

Should we use one or more Hexachrome inks in the process spectrum to enhance color brightness and luminosity?

Does the sheet need a varnish or should we consider aqueous coating to guard against finger marks and scratches?

Can we print four colors on one side of the sheet and black on the back-up to give the illusion of a "four color process throughout" job?

Can it be press-scored instead of die scored to save money? (Folds that go through heavy solids may require a channel or die score.)

Do we have to parallel fold for correct line-up of bridge (cross-over) pages?

Can we run any of the elements on combination to saving on costs?

Learn to be responsible and take full control of your jobs. Ask these questions. You might just save yourself from paying too much.