Avoid the most seen mistakes
We have worked with over 200.000 print orders,
And we've estimated that 90% of all errors are the same mistakes made by designers
Our 6 design tips
Learn how to avoid the following mistakes
Ordering, color, file type, resolution and and bleed
2. Make sure your file is set up correctly
You must use the correct export settings and if you're smart use our templates too..
| The 6 deisgn tips | ||
| Ordering | Colors | File types |
| Resolution (dpi) | Bleed | Overprint and output |
The 6 design tips
1. Ordrering
Typical details that you'd normally list
• Product (what kind of print are you going for. e.i. Flyer, poster, roll-up or mugs)
• How many do you need, and how many originals are there.
• Phone number
• Shipping address
• Billing address
Tip: When you are ordering through the webshop...
When paying for your prints, you'll have aldready made an account, so your infomation will be safed for next time.
2. Color
So when making your layout
You should always check that you're working in CMYK, which most programs (Like Adobe's InDesign) allows you to do.
3. PDF, PSD PNG or JPEG?
We strongly recommend always using a .PDF file when ordering.Why PDF?
Youll always get the best results when using a PDF. PDF supports vectorobjects and can embed used fonts.
But there are other filetypes - though you should avoid suing those.
• .tif, .jpeg og .eps
• Indesign, Photoshop og Quark
• Microsoft Office - Please note that sending something like a .docx is not suitable for a professional print. We cannot Guarantee color precision or quality
Vi foretrækker filer i PDF-format
4. råd – Resolution (dpi)
Using correct resolution, ensures the best quality of your bitmap graphics. Using to low-quality images will result in bluryb results. THe standard resolution preferred is 300dpi
Lower dpi
If you are designing a big print - Maybe a poster or even a banner - a lower resolution is acceptable.
If you where to stand about 20cm (approximately 8 inches) away from your print, you wouldn't be able to see the difference between 150dpi and 300dpi.
Higher dpi
Normally it wouldn't be necessary to use more than 300dpi. We do recommend using a higher dpi for smaller prints, like busniesscards.
especially if you're designning in a bitmap-editor like Photoshop.
In that case we would suggest using a higher resolution. Around 600dpi
AND we will also recommend NOt using a bitmap-editor for prints involving text.
Images and reading distance
images on a normal reading distance, on a = leaflets or flyers etc. (10-50cm):
min. 150dpi - 300 dpi for best results.
Images on a medium reading distance, = Poster, roll-up, etc. (min. 50cm):
min. 60 dpi - desired, 100 dpi.
Images on a larger reading distance
5 and 50 dpi for a reading distance of 5 and 20 meters.
5 dpi sounds kind of silly. But remember that each pixel in this example would be around 0,5 * 0,5cm, which you wouldn't have any problems with, from a distance of 20 meters.
Rules for using strokes
0,2 pkt. = 0,071 mm:
Absolute minimum = 25% (one color)
for example 5,0,0,0
0,3 pkt. = 0,106 mm:
Absolute minimum = 15% (one color)
- But when using rich black 5+5+5+5 is OK!
5. Bleed
This is the big one - we see this mistake too very often. Always remember to give your print correct bleed.
How much do we recommend? 3mm or more . Though 3 would surffice.
When you have graphical elements, that goes beyond the canvas you need to give the print 3mm on every site, so you can avoid white frames.
Tip
Using our InDesign templates helps you width the bleed and crop marks. Get them here..
6. Overprint og output
Why is my white tekst suddenly gone from the print? Avoid missing graphics, with these tips
InDesign, Illustrator and Acrobat can all be set to show overprint - In that case, you'll never again risk graphics disapearing, when printing.
Overprint in InDesign og Illustrator:
set up your Overprint Preview in InDesign And you'll be able to see any potential overprint-related fatal errors in your design.
InDesign > View > Overprint Preview.
Overprint in Acrobat Pro:
remember to always check your PDF before sending it in.
Edit > Preferences > Page Display > Page Content and Information >
Use Overprint Preview > Always.
Output Preview tools in Acrobat:
You can also use Output Preview as a tool. Turn on “Simulate
Overprint” in Acrobat: View - Tools > Print Production > Output
Preview > Simulate overprinting.
1. Use our templates
We do recommend that you use our templates. For example if you are designing more advanced prints. Like roll-ups or bech flags.
See our templates.
Design whitout use of templates
If you are designning a less complicated prin, like a busnisscard or a A4 flyer, you don't really have to use our templates. Just remember bleed and crop marks!
2. Use our exportsettings
Benefits
Then you won't have to worrie about:
• transparency
• bleed
• Embeded fonts
• Unnecessary high resolution