It’s 3:00 AM. You’re finishing up a file for your client that is due in a few hours (really shouldn’t have put it off to watch that Heroes marathon!). You think it’s a good idea to do one last check to make sure you have all the details right. You look down the list…
Yup, got the logo in all its enormity across the top of the 24x36 inch poster.
Yes, you used the right color specs for the logo.
Ugh, yes, the font for the titles is 72 point Papyrus and the body copy is 16 point Comic Sans.
You’ve switched it over to CMYK.
Wait…
Bugger. You forgot to set up the bleed when you created the file.
Crud.
Avoid These Problems Next Time
Don’t be lazy when setting up your files, even if they are only comps. Using the correct bleed, exact dimensions and full resolution from the very beginning will save you a lot of headache and frustration when it comes time to turn those comps into final files!
When you start out, double check that all your numbers are correct, especially if you are only using Photoshop to create that poster (you really should be using InDesign, you know!). Photoshop doesn’t figure in bleed for you like the page layout programs, so you’ll have to remember to include it.
All the Bloody Details
Generally, printers like about 1/4” bleed, aka 1p6 (1 pica, 6 points, aka 1 1/2 picas), however, I recently did some huge fabric banners that required a 2” bleed on every side! If you’re unsure of the specs, check with your printer sales rep.
For most print pieces, you’ll want your files at 300 ppi (pixels per inch) at their full dimensions. When you start getting into large format posters and banners, remember, they are seen from father away so they can be at a lower resolution—don’t even think about making that 6’ x 12’ billboard at 300 ppi! You’ll kill your computer!
Real World Experience
The fabric banners I did ranged from 36” x 126” to 30” x 216” and I worked at a resolution of 100 ppi at full size. The final PSD files were 430 – 870 MB. Can you imagine how big they’d be if I worked at 300 ppi?
How do you make sure you’re files are set up properly for print? What about web? Are there any other special considerations (for print or web) I didn’t mention?
(oo! and happy birthday to me today! yay!)
It’s a rare occurence that I design for print these days - although I recently produced the business cards, flyers and t-shirts for the pre-launch Britster promotion.
I’m really anal about document setup though - and I’ve been known to spend as long getting that right as I have producing mock-ups!
Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you have a great day… :D
Thanks for the well wishes, Paul
Really? As long setting up the doc as producing the mocks? Wow! If I’m actually making product/label mock ups, that always takes me a long time. I’m not a spacial person and it’s hard for me to see objects flat and then put them together in my mind.
I really love print. I like web, too, but if I had to choose, I’d say print. I have more control over the final output and I loooooooove paper! I have two paper stores next to my new apartment and those employees will get to know me quite well, I’m sure
Cards and invitations are my biggest facinations.
I’m not sure which media I prefer…
I love the fact that digital design is instantaneous, and that nothing is really final - if it’s messed up then delete it, change it, and republish it.
But I also love getting my designs printed! There’s something magical about seeing ten thousand identical copies of something you’ve created. :)
Happy Birthday! I need more tips like this…..
Is there a good basic book for this kind of info?
Lauren
That was fun; and great tips too.
Happy 21st ;)
I agree with you about the editability of digital. I always hate getting the final prints of something and looking through it and seeing a big fat mistake. I almost rather just not look at it! There really is something magical about print, though. Being able to hold something you’ve done and feel the stock just gives such a sense of satisfaction!
Hi Nap Warden! Thanks for the happy b-day
A good basic book, hmm… Well, there’s always the Hayden Shop Manual, but it’s really comprehensive and it was printed in 2000 (maybe a little dated?). I like Real World Photoshop, too, which has a lot of useful tips on color correction and converting RBG>CMYK (I linked to the search results because I’m not sure which version of PS you might have. The book I have is for CS, result #7). Most of these tips I just picked up from other designers or making the mistakes myself! Darn, I forgot to link to Tara’s most useful print checklist. I’m going to add it to the article above too.
I’m 24 now, thank you very much! Hmph!
I’m sure you have some tips to add to this little article, John. Tell us how to avoid a big, time wasting mistake when preparing files for print (or web!)?
Happy Birthday for yesterday.
Thanks for the link too. Most of my work is for print but everytime I send something to print I still get that niggling worry - you are definitely right to suggest taking time to set a job up right at the beginning, it saves loads of time at the end when all you need to do is a quick final check and send off the artwork (still keeping your fingers crossed of course :) )
Thank you for that checklist! It’s been helpful and I learned quite a bit! I always get that uneasy feeling, too, because once it’s printed, there’s no correcting those
eroticerratic mistakes! Sometimes they can be very embarrassing!I am using CS, just so you know…Thanks!
You can always do a preflight as well and that lets you know if your fonts are good, if the images are all in cmyk and if your spots are spots or if you are wanting to print that everything is in cmyk if not you know where to look. This is just a quick way to start your setup for output that works great.
Yes, it’s a good idea to do a preflight, too, but that only works with page layout programs. I love that InDesign has that built in. It’s caught more than one image I forgot to change over to CMYK!