What are the best practices to design effective print materials?

2 Select the appropriate colors and fonts

The next step to design effective print materials is to select the appropriate colors and fonts for your brand, message, and audience. You need to consider the contrast, harmony, and emotion of your color scheme, as well as the legibility, style, and size of your fonts. For example, if you are designing a print material for a professional service, you may want to use a neutral or muted color palette, with a serif or sans-serif font that conveys trust and authority. If you are designing a print material for a creative project, you may want to use a vibrant or pastel color palette, with a script or decorative font that conveys personality and flair.

3 Use images and graphics wisely

The third step to design effective print materials is to use images and graphics wisely to support and enhance your text. You need to consider the quality, relevance, and alignment of your images and graphics, as well as the balance, proportion, and whitespace of your layout. For example, if you are designing a print material that showcases your products or services, you may want to use high-resolution photos that capture the features and benefits of your offer, and align them with your text using grids or guides. If you are designing a print material that illustrates your concepts or data, you may want to use icons, charts, or diagrams that simplify and clarify your information, and balance them with your text using negative space or borders.

4 Write clear and concise copy

The fourth step to design effective print materials is to write clear and concise copy that communicates your message and call to action. You need to consider the tone, voice, and language of your copy, as well as the headlines, subheadings, and body text of your print material. For example, if you are designing a print material that informs or educates your audience, you may want to use a formal or neutral tone, with a consistent and objective voice, and simple and direct language. If you are designing a print material that persuades or motivates your audience, you may want to use an informal or friendly tone, with a personal and engaging voice, and emotive and persuasive language.

5 Follow the print guidelines and standards

The fifth step to design effective print materials is to follow the print guidelines and standards that ensure the quality and accuracy of your final product. You need to consider the resolution, color mode, bleed, and crop marks of your print material, as well as the file format, compression, and fonts of your digital file. For example, if you are designing a print material that will be printed on a commercial printer, you may want to use a resolution of at least 300 dpi, a CMYK color mode, a bleed of at least 3 mm, and crop marks to indicate the cutting lines. You may also want to save your file as a PDF, with a high-quality compression, and embed your fonts to avoid any missing or distorted characters.

6 Review and proofread your print material

The sixth and final step to design effective print materials is to review and proofread your print material before sending it to print. You need to check the spelling, grammar, punctuation, and consistency of your copy, as well as the alignment, spacing, and margins of your layout. You may also want to print a test copy or use a soft proofing tool to see how your print material will look on paper, and make any necessary adjustments or corrections. By reviewing and proofreading your print material, you can avoid any errors, omissions, or discrepancies that may affect the credibility and effectiveness of your print material.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?