What are the most common print quality issues for graphics and how can you troubleshoot them?

Screens have to be calibrated and visualization software should honor the screen ICC profile. Printed color accuracy really depends on your printing process, process control, you paper quality, ink quality and stable environment. Proper input ICC profiles with accurate rendering intents for spot and process objects, linearized and calibrated output ICC profiles to match your white point and gamut. Proper RIP if you are printing on inkjet ECG device or a CMYK device. And don't forget the RGB color of your screen is an emissive or additive color, but the printer color is reflective or subtracting color made with pigments that absorb certain color wavelenght and reflect others. Different color spaces.

As mentioned by others here - print files supplied in RGB. A modern RIP can give a decent conversion to CMYK but you will get caught out on some colours. Better to convert pre rip and supply a CMYK proof so your customer can see colour shifts. If they don't like it then it can be adjusted before hitting the press.

Low resolution photos, wrong file type or size. I can't enlarge a photo from a google search to the size of a billboard. Use PMS colors for consistent color.

Where work is to print then the designer has to know the process and any limitations of that process. All processes are different requiring differences within the digital make up. All printers are different so you should work closely with the final printer to ensure he receives what is required to give the end client what they expect and need. Close work between the designer, repro house, printer and end client is vital. Producing a pretty picture is lovely for a proof but no good if it cannot print. The best thing to ensure good print is close work with all parties involved. Designers/repro going to printers, printers to designers/repro, end clients visiting both to be shown why certain things are needed and what things are possible.

los sangrados son un elemento fundamental para cualquier montaje, para evitar que al momento de troquelar no se pierda información importante

Most modern graphics tools allow you to set the bleed size in the document size settings. Bleed is then also visible when the document is formatted. Remember that important parts of the design should not be too close to the cut.

Using a template could prove helpful for those who aren't sure of how to design for bleed, creep and trimming. This little step makes all the difference on the finished product. It also alleviates your Printers headache.

PNG does not support CMYK, but you can use PSD. To prevent steps in gradients you can add just a bit of noise in photo edizing program.

If you work with InDesign, or any other software that works with linked files, it's important to check for any broken links. Broken links would result in poor image quality as well.

At the end of the day, there is a saying that I heard back when I first started my career in printing. That saying is: "Garbage in, garbage out."

Whenever possible, work in vector. If raster images are necessary, multiply the dimension in inches by 300 for the minimum pixel size of your image: e.g. 8.5x11 becomes 2550x3300.

Hairline gaps in color can also happen with PDFs for older versions of Acrobat, 5 and below. When an older version is not needed for compatibility with a particular device or printer's software, set the compatibility to Acrobat 7 or above to avoid this issue.

Regular, preventative maintenance should be prioritized, scheduled and completed. You can have great files to run from and color settings that are perfect; it won't mean a thing if your machine isn't running as it should. Ironically, the same goes for offset and digital printing.

Something I've always done was fan out a fresh ream. Doing this adds a bit of air between sheets so pages don't stick causing double feeds. Try keeping your paper wrapped and stored in a closed container to avoid atmospheric degradation like humidity. Paper is so dry, that when it's exposed to humidity, it may swell. The swelling is so minimal, that we don't notice, but the finally tuned mechanics in today's advanced printing systems notice it very well.

Paper is paper, whether you're running offset or digital. It must be cared for appropriately and utilized correctly. *Never run offset paper in your digital press.

They’ve made a complete mess of fonts. They have smoke and mirror consortiums for ridiculous standards, how about standardizing the most crucial part of the printing?

Inconsistent fonts or symbols between screen and print can disrupt graphic quality. This arises from non-standard or unembedded elements. Ensure compatibility with your printer and software. Embed fonts and symbols through conversion or PDF settings. Pre-print, meticulously review for errors. Keep your printer driver and software updated and aligned with your chosen fonts and symbols for seamless prints.

para evitar este tipo de errores, lo mejor es convertir las fuentes y símbolos en curvas y que él pdf quede en condiciones correctas.

Ensure top-notch print quality for your graphics with these quick fixes. To combat blurriness, use high-resolution images in CMYK mode. Address color inconsistencies by converting to CMYK and calibrating. For streaks, clean the printhead and replace cartridges. Banish blotches by cleaning the printhead and inspecting cartridges. For misalignment, load paper evenly and adjust guides. Combat faded prints by replacing toner and adjusting settings. Resolve ghosting with component checks and regular printer maintenance. Follow general tips like regular cleaning, quality consumables, correct paper usage, calibration for color accuracy, and keeping drivers and software up to date for consistently high-quality graphics.

Ink saturation: Paper can only hold so much ink before it begins to bead up and run off. The level of ink saturation possible without issue varies depending on the paper stock, but a good rule of thumb is to avoid "total area coverage" of more than 300%. Any CMYK color you use should add up to 300 or less; e.g. 10/10/10/100 would be fine, but 80/80/80/100 would not. Photos can easily get you in difficulties here; become familiar with the Output Preview tool in Acrobat, and never send a file to print without checking this.

Never be afraid to ask. So many customers/design agencies bulldoze there way through designs without the necessary consideration of the printer/Reprographics on the receiving end of the files. Different printers will have different requirements for file supply and quality, but the basics are always the same. If in doubt ask, and if still not clear ask again until you understand what is required. I have had so many calls like this and explained, walked through and even created templates for customers, just to help get the job done right and to the best quality possible for the customer. As mentioned in the other segments, what looks good on screen does not mean it will print, so take care before sending a file out that it meets the basics.

Certainly! The most common print quality issues include resolution, color accuracy, and file format. Troubleshoot them by: 1. Resolution: Use 300 DPI for sharp prints and consider vector graphics. 2. Color Accuracy: Match color profiles, use CMYK, and avoid RGB-to-CMYK shifts. 3. File Format: Opt for PDF or TIFF, not JPEG, and embed fonts. 4. Bleed and Margins: Include them to avoid cropping. 5. Proofing: Request a print proof for adjustments. 6. Paper and Ink: Select the right materials. 7. Printer Maintenance: Clean and calibrate your printer. 8. Color Profiles: Work with calibrated monitors. 9. Consult Experts: Seek advice from print professionals.

Un ejemplo que he visto es que al aplicar ciertos efectos o al construir colores con más de 2 tintas desde archivo, cambia la apariencia si se usa Multiply o Darken. Lo mismo para aplicaciones de sombras, degradados, etc. Es importante ver un previo de preferencia impreso, como una prueba de color para estar seguros del resultado impreso de esos efectos en la impresión final.