When it comes to sending jobs to be printed, no matter whether they’re large or small, even the smallest error can negatively affect the print quality.
Proof-reading and self-editing are important skills to learn and can help avoid costly mistakes. We have 5 of the most common printing mistakes here:
1. Inadequate bleed on artwork
‘Bleed’ is the term used to describe artwork that extends beyond the document boundaries. A guillotine is used to trim prints, but they are now 100 per cent accurate, so to stay on the safe side, it’s recommended to have a 3mm bleed for print jobs such as posters, business cards and letterheads.
2. Small text on a rich black background
If the background to your document is black, with small text, then make sure it doesn’t contain too much cyan, magenta, and yellow. There is a risk that your text will output blurred due to the print bleed.
To get the best result, use white text on a black-only background.
3. Not converting images to CMYK
Failing to convert images from RGB to CMYK is a common fault, but one that can lead to expensive printing errors. To be sure, make sure that you manually convert files to CMYK after working in RGB or with digital photos and make sure that you are happy with how the conversion looks before sending to print.
4. Spelling mistakes
It might sound obvious, but so many spelling mistakes are overlooked before printing. Never rely solely on spell checkers, and always get approval on proofs before sending to printing.
5. Using .gif or .png file formats for print
This is a major printing mistake; .gif and .png are on-screen-only files. They are files that are not intended for print and because of this do not print well.
.gif & .png files have been designed to handle 72dpi whereas images for print are in the region of 300-400dpi. For very small images you may get away with it, but ideally, you should get into the habit of using .tiff images when designing for printed materials.
If you need printing services in Portsmouth, contact Headline Printers today.
