7 Tips to Make Working with a Printer Quick and Easy

No matter what your print project is, whether it be flyers, brochures or a presentation, there are ways to make it go smoother by keeping certain things in mind.  You can help streamline the process by having certain things in order before even approaching a printer.

Here are 7 helpful tips that you can do to help keep things smooth with your printer:

1. Pay attention to what size you send in and what size you're ordering.

Proper sizing is important when working with a printer. If you send them a file that you created in 8.5 x 11 but request something that's 11 x 17, or vice versa, don't expect it to be easy. Those dimensions don’t scale up equally and can take much effort to create. This is a common problem when printers receive files and doing this will only irritate and make more work for them. Your graphics may change size and the project could end up not looking like it’s supposed to.

2. Make sure to follow the directions of the printer and send in the proper file type.

Printers should let you know what they need from you in order to move forward. These things will include the type of file that they work with. Make sure you send PDF files to your printer. If you send them something in Word, Publisher, Corel Draw, or even InDesign, they can have a hard time printing it. Even if those files are setup properly, it adds an extra step that can mess up the vision of what you wanted. If you send a PDF to begin with, you can avoid all those problems that can happen during conversions. This will save a lot of time and headache for everyone.

3. Review the entire proof before responding.

To make the editing process efficient, make sure to look over the entire proof before you start requesting changes and avoid sending multiple emails of changes. Also, the more detailed you are in looking things over, the quicker the changes you request will be and the faster you can get your print project to where you want it to be. Remember, it’s the smallest mistakes that are the easiest to miss so be thorough before approving your proof!

4. Don’t try to negotiate down prices.

Printing companies are just like most any other company. They won't haggle with you, so don't try. The prices are set for a reason and you will be expected to pay them, just like every other client. Printers don't play favoritism. Trying to get the price down will only irritate the printer and waste everyone's time.

5. A printing company's job is more complicated than you think it is.

The process is more complicated than just hitting “print.” There is a reason you're paying professionals. The equipment that is used is much more complicated than what you may buy and use on your own. Completing your request takes multiple people, multiple computers and often times even multiple printing machines.

6. Plan for production and turnaround time.

Standard production time can take between 3 and 5 days. The turnaround times are given because there is a schedule that these companies need to adhere to in order to satisfy all of their customers. While rush jobs can be taken on, you can't expect each order to be rushed. You also have to keep in mind that rush jobs will cost you extra. It's better for both you and for the printing company if you simply plan ahead.

7. Know what you want going in.

Make sure you design your print project in detail before sending it into a printer. You want to have a clear vision of what you want and have it executed before you start the printing process. The better you plan your print project, the easier it will be for both your printer and you to get it done and done properly.

By making sure to plan ahead, you can assure that your experience with a printing company is a pleasant and positive one. This will also help you build a lasting professional and profitable relationship that can help you with all your printing needs going forward.

Why Your Company Should Invest In A Graphic Designer

You already have a lot on your plate whether you're running an entire business or managing your team. Adding design work on top of that can be a lot to take on. Print materials are important for marketing your business out in your community, but doing it all yourself can be a very daunting task.

While you may think that if you do it yourself, you'll be saving money, could you also run the risk of your materials not turning into an effective campaign. You may wonder if the color scheme or the wording you chose is effective. Fixing things later on will make it much more expensive than if you hired a professional in the first place.

These people are professionals for a reason. They will customize specific designs for your company. They have experience with what works and what doesn't. They know the most effective approaches to communicate to your customers as well as what your competitors in the market are doing.

Reasons to Invest in a Graphic Designer for Your Print Materials:

- It will save you time and money.

You may look at hiring a graphic designer as an initial investment that you don't want to pay, but it will actually end up saving you money. To get yourself up to speed with Photoshop, Illustrator or other programs, you may need to invest multiple hours of your time. Even then, there will be a lot that you won't be able to learn and you would have wasted hours of time where you could have been productive.

A graphic designer has spent so much more time in the necessary programs. You could never hope to catch up. This is the same as someone new in your field having a hard time catching up to you. You wouldn't expect someone new to your field to do something perfectly after just a few hours of basic training and you can't expect that you will be able to design something that is perfect in that amount of time either. A graphic designer knows how to navigate through these programs and move forward in a timely manner.

- It will help everything look polished and professional.

By using a graphic designer, you can be sure to receive a polished and professional product. Designers are well-versed in design theory, color theory, and grids and ratios. They studied how to put together print and online materials.  Designers have the best eye visually and take the guesswork out of it for you.

- Your marketing materials will be consistent and help build your brand.

Graphic designers will use fonts and colors that are consistent and complement each other. Again, they know how to put things together that work together and help to build brand loyalty.

- It will help you stand out from your competitors.

If you use a template to design your work, whether it be something you bought online or a template you use in a program, it will look like everyone else's. Don't you want your company to stand out? A graphic designer will produce original work for you and ensure that you aren't violating any copyright laws. The same can't be said if you pull images from Google. That could get you into trouble.

- Graphic designers can see things in a different way.

Your company is extremely important to you. You may be more emotionally involved than you realize. As with many things, having an outside perspective can only be good for you. This person will be able to notice things that you may not have. A graphic designer can step back from the project and look at it objectively.

- They can help you execute what you have in your head.

You probably have a vision in mind for what you want your materials to look like, but trying to get there on your own could be very difficult. A graphic designer can help you express what it is you're looking for and also act as a collaborator to help you find the best ways to realize your vision. This person is an expert in what they do and can help design something that not only fits with your vision, but that will prove to benefit your company from a marketing and sales perspective. It's about giving your company the best image it can so you can be as successful as you want to be.

Hiring a graphic designer isn't about admitting that you aren't up to designing your own materials. It's about giving your company the best start it can have. You are investing in your company's brand and its future by consulting with a professional.