Before you go to press…

You probably already know how important it is to check (preflight) print jobs before they run. But, if you’re new to the wonderful world of printing, or if you’ve ever been in such a time squeeze that you were tempted just to run a job and hope for the best, this article is for you.

Here are the reasons you never want to leave your print jobs to chance, as well as some unusual things to check that could improve the overall quality of your project

Basic elements to check before you go to press..

File Settings and Quality

• Is the file set to CMYK? - Even though RGB yields more vibrant colours on a computer screen, ensuring that the artwork is set as CMYK will make for easier colour matching with the printer.
• Is your image resolution at least 300 dpi? - This applies individually to any external graphics you’ve embedded, as well as the overall resolution of your finished product.
• Do you know which file type works best with your print suppliers software? - PDF’s are a common, viable option, but it is recommended to consult your print provider on their preferred file format. Any special effects (i.e. drop shadows) can sometimes not translate properly in the RIP (Raster Image Processor)
• Are any special fonts embedded in the file or sent as a separate file to the printer, in case editing is needed?
• Is your font large enough to translate clearly to print?
• Have you deleted any unused layers or set them not to print? - They’ll show up in print otherwise, even if you can’t see them on-screen.
• Do you know whether you should use rich black or regular? - The latter isn’t as dark and can show up with a green or brown tint in certain lights.

Physical Specifications

• Have you allowed for trim, bleed, and safety areas?
• Do you know what kind of paper the project will be printed on?
• Are you positive that any die cuts will be the correct shape and size?

Surprising Things You May Never Have Checked Before

Maybe you knew all of that already. After all, it is a basic list. The thing is, that list doesn’t fully prepare you for some of the more in-depth situations you may face.

For example, if you’re including social media icons to point people online, make sure the page name or profile handle is spelled out beside the appropriate icon. If you get too comfortable with clicking through it on your screen, you may forget that paper doesn’t work that way!

As with social media, check the copy for links. If you have a hyperlink embedded in a word to keep a long web address from disrupting the flow of thought in a body of text, take it out. Spell out the full link elsewhere (such as the lower edge of the page, where it won’t be distracting) or use a QR code so paper-version viewers can access it.

Other Tips for Print Optimization

These may seem fairly obvious, but it’s amazing what can slip your mind when you’re in a hurry or have stared at the same design for hours.

• Spell-check everything. If you were never confident in your spelling ability, don’t just rely on Microsoft Word; recruit a human with good spelling to check for you.
• Do the same with grammar and editing.
• Check for trapping on your hard proofs to make sure the RIP software doesn’t leave colour gaps between text and background
• Be ruthless with the proof. If you don’t like where a cut went, a shade of red is just a little off, or there’s any other small problem, point it out anyway. You (or the client you’re designing for) won’t want to use the finished product if there’s one irritating little detail that no one fixed.

Have you learned any print mistakes the hard way? Let us know what you do to make sure your proofs are ship-shape before they start rolling off the press!