Print Design Tips for Begginers

Print design, as web design, is a field that requires creativity and attention to details and different features you want to use in your materials. Whether it is about newspaper, manuals, prints, posters, restaurant menus, and business cards and so on, correcting an error on a print material calls for additional expenses.

There are certain things that need to be done first, before embarking on a new graphic design project. You need to identify all requirements and the purpose of the project. Also, you need to decide whether your project will concentrate on images or whether will include text. Another important thing is to determine whether the project will be single-filed or a brochure with more pages.

Before starting working on the project, ask your client the following questions:

• What is the size of the final print document?
• What color does his/her project associate with?

These two answers will provide you with a starting point and will set some limits in terms of usability of color palette and final file size.

It is known that every print designer has his own working approach, but there are several basic tricks and tips which, once mastered, will make the entire work a piece of cake.

Here are most important printing design tips every beginner have to stick with:

Paper size

Although the good old A4 size of the print material is standard in printing, don’t let yourself be caught in the standardized threads. You can always play with sizes, namely that smaller A5 paper size is much more comfortable to handle and take with you.

Content matters

If you are dealing with a text-based print design remember to concentrate on content. And make sure that the text you incorporate in the graphic design is readable.

Remember the bleed

Bleed is the element that allows the printable file to be cropped according to its correct size. This element gives the cropping some room for error. Usually, a 3mm bleed is a safe standard to work with.

Typography

Don’t just jump and use the first font you like. Take time to analyze the message and voice you want to send with the font you use. Think about the best way to communicate it to your target audience. You can also mix and match several fonts, but in this case you need to be extremely careful to make sure that several mixed fonts go hand in hand.

Color, color, color

We’ve already said that you need to check the color palette with your client. But, if you think that the color he chooses doesn’t suit the print design project you are working on, don’t be afraid to let him know and bring strong arguments to stand your ground.

Related: Designing a Brand Identity in Few Steps

Photographic content

High quality image makes a big deal in printing. If you have good resolution photography to work with your final result will be outstanding. Therefore, tell the client that high resolution and quality of the photograph will mirror the print design output.

Conclusion

Print graphic design might seem tricky, but it is something that will always be on demand. Printed material is a more personal approach of the companies that they use for marketing campaigns, and not only. People usually are keener to trust information that they can physically touch, rather than just read on a screen.

Do you want to share other tips that you make use of when creating your own design for print? Leave a message in the comments section below.