Here are a few key tricks to successfully submitting text, artwork and graphics to a printer:
Text should be 3/8” in set from all edges and folds. If ink bleeds off the page, your file should have any “bleed” items extend beyond the edge of the sheet by 1/8”.
Photo resolution should be at least 300 dpi. Most images retrieved from the Web are low resolution (72 dpi). They are designed that way so the page will load faster. But if you use these images, they will print distorted and blurry, especially when printed in a large size.
Make Your PDF Files Print Ready
If you are providing files to the printer, make sure they are set up correctly. For instance, make sure you have sufficient margins around the edge, so the text or images do not get too close. If the ink goes all the way to the edge of the paper (bleeds), make sure you have a sufficient amount of that image extending beyond the perimeters of your sheet file.
Also make sure your panels align properly, based upon the type of fold that may be required.
If you are designing your own materials, call the printer you are going to work with and ask them the parameters you should work within to provide them the best file possible.
If you have a project that requires layout or design services, such as a newsletter or brochure, do not submit the project without having all content and images being final. You should have whoever needs to review copy and approve images do so before you hand it off to the printer. Definitely do not hand it off in bits and pieces. Think of it this way — if you are going to bake a pie, you are not going to start mixing some of the ingredients, then go to the store to buy the remaining ingredients you need to finish your recipe. That isn’t an efficient way to bake. It will take you more time in the end, and you run the risk of forgetting to add a particular ingredient. The same goes for designing a project. It is much easier to understand the scope of the project if the designer has all the information they need in front of them.
You will also want to keep the number of revisions you make to a minimum, which emphasizes how important it is to have the initial information you provide to be as complete as possible. Typically, the price you are quoted includes one or two rounds of content revisions. Anything beyond that is typically charged at an hourly rate. Hours go by fast each time a revision is needed. The clock starts when the job ticket is picked up. You are charged for the time it takes to reopen the file, make the changes, save the file, produce another proof and review it with you. Excess expenses add up quickly, so avoid falling into the revision trap. Do your work up front before you finalize the content.
At East Ridge Printing, we are a well-rounded team of printing artisans backed by our ERP Promise. Learn more about our guarantee by clicking the following link or call us at 585.266.4911. ERP Promise Link: http://eastridgeprint.com/guarantee/
