Printing Guide
The most expensive design mistakes happen after approval. A practical guide to getting the printed result you approved on screen.
The file looked perfect, the print run came back dull, the brand blue shifted purple, and the delivery date slipped because the die line was wrong by three millimetres.
We manage production in house: correct colour build, real substrate proofs, checked die lines and a press pass. Design and production stay in one conversation, so nobody is blamed at delivery.
Colour: define it once, in every space
Every brand colour needs a Pantone, a CMYK build per substrate, RGB and a hex. Uncoated board can drop a bold blue by two shades we compensate in the build instead of arguing after the run.
Files that don't cause delays
Outlined type, 300 dpi images, 3mm bleed, correct die line on its own layer, overprint checked, and spot varnish as a separate spot channel.
Choose the process for the quantity
Digital wins for short runs and versions; offset wins on volume and consistency; large format needs its own resolution and viewing distance logic. Choosing wrong is where budgets disappear.
Takeaways
- Approve a physical proof on the final material.
- Always send a checked die line on its own layer.
- Match the process to the run length before quoting.
