What are some common printing mistakes?
It's nearly impossible to run a business without the use of digital printing. Whether you're in need of in-house documents or promotional products as part of your company's marketing strategy. Unfortunately, printing mistakes are quite common when you don't employ the assistance of a professional printing company. Here are several common mistakes that you'll want to avoid:
Poorly Designed Materials
The most obvious mistake you might expect is the creation of poorly designed materials. Graphic design may be commonplace these days, but it's a skill that takes many years to perfect. If you get this wrong, your company won't be taken seriously in its industry and customers are likely to pass you by.
Relying on Stock Images
There's nothing wrong with using stock images in certain materials, but if it's too obvious, you may lose some of the trust that you've earned with your customers. Either take unique photographs or go through an image supplier who can provide you with images that haven't been used too often or in huge campaigns. You can even use a couple of each if your promotion is big enough.
Using Incorrect File Formats
One of the most common printing mistakes is the use of file formats that don't translate to a high-quality or high-resolution image. The two to be concerned with are .gif and .png, which are perfectly fine on the screen but only operate at 72 dpi which isn't enough for high-quality printing. If you're afraid that you might use the wrong file format for your project, ask a professional printer.
Not Enough Image Bleed
Bleed may sound like a bad thing, but it simply refers to any part of your artwork that expands past a document's boundaries. Due to different mechanical configurations, not leaving enough bleed room may create a white border around your image. To prevent this, the bleed should be at least 3 mm or, if you prefer, 1/8 of an inch.
Spelling/Grammar Mistakes
While some people may not think spelling and grammar mistakes are a big deal, it always comes across as unprofessional. This is especially true when you're sending out brochures and other types of promotional products where you're trying to make a great impression. Always get a second pair of eyes and maybe even a third and fourth!
Improper Image Resolution
A common beginner's mistake is using an image with too low of a resolution. When this happens, the image will look blurry and/or blocky. To get the best image possible for your printed visuals, you need to at least use between 300 and 400 ppi.
Images Don’t Convert to CMYK
In order for an image to print, it must be able to convert to CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). This is one of the easiest printing mistakes to avoid, but some non-professionals have no idea how to ensure conversion. Working with an experienced printer will prevent any image color conversion issues.
B&W Images Saved as Color
You wouldn't think that saving a black and white image to color would cause any issues, but it's definitely a possibility. This happens because colors can appear during the printing process if your document uses a CMYK profile, which is very common. Always be sure that a B&W image is saved or converted properly.
Contact Bob’s Busy Bee Printing to Avoid Printing Mistakes
Bob's Busy Bee Printing provides custom printing services in Tampa, Florida that will help you avoid making common printing mistakes. Our full-service printing company can assist you with high-quality promotional products, in-house document needs, and other printed materials for your business. If you have any questions or would like a free quote for our services, give us a call at (813) 933-2434 today to request an estimate.
