When you want to showcase your graphics skills, you need to present print samples that reflect your high standards and attention to detail. But how do you evaluate the quality of your print samples and make sure they are consistent and accurate? Here are some criteria you should use to assess your print sample quality and impress your clients or employers.
One of the most important aspects of print sample quality is the resolution and clarity of your images and text. Resolution is the number of pixels or dots per inch (dpi) that make up your graphics. The higher the resolution, the sharper and more detailed your print sample will be. You should always use high-resolution images and fonts that are suitable for print, and avoid scaling or stretching them beyond their original size. You should also check the clarity of your print sample by looking at it from different distances and angles, and make sure there are no blurry, pixelated, or distorted elements.
All of the above is important, but you also must look at it in the context of the expected use. In other words, looking at a label from arms length is the typical user experience and how it should be viewed. But a wall display is typically viewed from 5’ to 50’ away. My point is, the resolution and quality required from a label is usually greater than what is required from a large wall advertisement.
Ao avaliar a qualidade de uma amostra de impress?o, é essencial considerar diversos critérios. Primeiramente, observo a nitidez e precis?o das cores, verificando se correspondem fielmente ao design original. Em seguida, examino a consistência da impress?o em diferentes áreas da página e ao longo de múltiplas cópias. A textura e o acabamento do papel também s?o avaliados para garantir uma sensa??o de qualidade e durabilidade. Além disso, verifico a legibilidade de textos e detalhes de imagens, assegurando que n?o haja distor??es ou borr?es. Por fim, considero a integridade do produto final, verificando se n?o há defeitos visíveis, como manchas, vincos ou falhas de registro.
When evaluating print sample quality, there are several criteria that you should consider. Two of the most important factors are resolution and clarity. Resolution refers to the level of detail and sharpness in the image, and it is typically measured in dots per inch (dpi). The higher the dpi, the better the resolution will be. A print sample with high resolution will have crisp, clear lines and vibrant colors. Clarity, on the other hand, refers to the overall sharpness and legibility of the text and images on the page. A print sample with good clarity will have text that is easy to read and images that are sharp and well-defined.
Another key factor of print sample quality is the color and contrast of your graphics. Color is the hue, saturation, and brightness of your graphics, and contrast is the difference between the light and dark areas. You should use color and contrast to create visual interest, harmony, and balance in your print sample, and avoid using too many or too similar colors that can make your graphics look dull or confusing. You should also calibrate your monitor and printer settings to match the color mode and profile of your graphics software, and use a color proofing tool or a printed color chart to compare the colors on your screen and on paper.
This is probably the area that is violated the most in today’s labels, packaging and advertisement. It is common to see text that blends into a photo because it is the wrong weight, size, and color. I still see this daily when poor design is executed on products from Fortune 500 companies.
Another aspect of print sample quality is the alignment and spacing of your graphics and text. Alignment is the position and orientation of your elements relative to each other and to the edges of your page. Spacing is the amount of white space or margin around and between your elements. You should use alignment and spacing to create a neat, organized, and professional layout for your print sample, and avoid using too much or too little space that can make your graphics look crowded or sparse. You should also use grids, guides, and rulers to help you align and space your elements precisely, and check for any misaligned or overlapping elements.
When it comes to design, alignment and spacing play a crucial role in creating a visually appealing layout. Proper alignment helps to organize content and guide the eye to the most important elements on the page. On the other hand, spacing ensures that there is enough white space around each element, improving readability and reducing clutter. By paying close attention to alignment and spacing, designers can create designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate.
Another factor of print sample quality is the typography and readability of your text. Typography is the style, size, and appearance of your fonts, and readability is how easy it is to read and understand your text. You should use typography and readability to convey your message clearly, effectively, and elegantly in your print sample, and avoid using too many or too fancy fonts that can make your text look cluttered or illegible. You should also use font sizes, weights, and styles that are appropriate for your audience and purpose, and use headings, subheadings, paragraphs, and bullet points to break up your text and create hierarchy and structure.
This is the area that, along with Color and Contrast, are misunderstood and given less consideration than necessary. The correct font, sized, stylized and placed properly, makes the difference between a clear and muddled message. Professional typography has quickly become a lost art. We need to train today’s advertising and printing professionals that this skill has high value, so we can create the demand for the best effects type can bring to a project.
Choosing the right typography is a critical aspect of creating a readable and engaging design. Certain fonts and typefaces are more legible than others, and it's important to consider factors like font size, line spacing, and letter spacing when selecting typography. Additionally, designers should be mindful of the hierarchy of text on the page, using larger fonts for headlines and smaller fonts for body copy. By paying attention to typography and readability, designers can create designs that are both visually appealing and easy to read, ensuring that the message is effectively conveyed to the audience.
Another aspect of print sample quality is the paper and finish of your print. Paper is the material, weight, and texture of your print, and finish is the coating or treatment that enhances or protects your print. You should use paper and finish that suit your graphics style, content, and intention, and avoid using paper and finish that are too thin, thick, rough, or glossy that can affect the quality and durability of your print. You should also consider the environmental impact of your paper and finish choices, and opt for recycled, biodegradable, or eco-friendly options whenever possible.
The type of paper and finish used in a print job can have a significant impact on the final product's look and feel. Different paper types, such as glossy, matte, or textured, can create different impressions and evoke different emotions. The finish can also affect how colors appear on the paper, as well as how the paper feels to the touch. When selecting paper and finish, it's essential to consider the intended use of the printed materials and the target audience. By choosing the right paper and finish, designers can create printed materials that not only look great but also feel appropriate for the purpose and audience.
The final criterion of print sample quality is the consistency and accuracy of your print. Consistency is the degree of similarity and coherence among your print samples, and accuracy is the degree of correctness and precision of your print samples. You should ensure that your print samples are consistent and accurate in terms of resolution, color, alignment, spacing, typography, paper, and finish, and avoid any errors, variations, or discrepancies that can compromise your print sample quality and credibility. You should also proofread and edit your print samples carefully, and use a checklist or a peer review to verify your print sample quality before presenting them.
We work with a costumer that prints labels for vitamins and we must print accurate colors so when we reprint a label it will match an older bottle in the display. Color accuracy must be held
The final criteria that is often overlooked when dealing with everyone involved in the printing and advertising world is, “Does the project, be it label, packaging, advertisement or other media, meet the customers requirements and demands?” I’ve been in this business for 47 years and I’m amazed how the customer, who is buying the project, is pleased, but others want to change it because of some trivial desire that won’t sell more product or make the item better in any way except to the person that wants the change. Let’s focus on “the customer defines quality”. This isn’t to say we should print poorly if the customer doesn’t care, but we need to be respectful of the use and need of the customer paying the bills.