1. Integrating web graphics with printed materials.
The transition from web design to traditional design for print can lead to various design sins since many new designers have backgrounds mostly in web design. Images provided at 72 dpi and compressed to load quickly on a website will reproduce extremely poorly in print. You can get away with using small thumbnails, but enlarging the images to any significant size will be stretching your luck. Many websites online offer free or very inexpensive high-quality photographs, making them an excellent source for appropriate graphics.
2. Ignoring or not allowing sufficient bleeding
Sending a flattened picture or document to print without any bleed is a fairly common mistake. In general, you should leave a minimum of 3mm around each cut-off edge. If you don’t, the printers won’t have any room for error and will either clip the side of the page off or leave you with a white border. When giving picture files, it is usually a good idea to include layered PSD files so that you may make any necessary trimming or stretching on the backdrop layer, perhaps reducing the amount of work required.
3. Employing cryptic typefaces without embedding or outlining them for output.
We’ve all done this, and as long as you’re the only one who has access to your work or data, everything should be alright. However, if another party needs to change the files or utilize your vector logo on a publication, they can do so. They won’t be able to open the files correctly until you package up the utilized fonts, and certain software packages could replace any unknown fonts with the default. This is a significant challenge if you need to locate documents that were generated years ago but don’t have access to your old fonts.
4. Providing print-ready artwork in RGB or spot colors
Spot colors can be used in artwork for a variety of good reasons, such as logos that need to reference certain Pantone colors. However, most print jobs for design work are sent through CMYK presses with 4 colors, occasionally with a 5th color for luminescent or metallic colors or for spot UV varnish. Lazy designers frequently only insert RGB photos into files and anticipate that the vivid colors seen on screen will appear in print.
5. Letting clients who aren’t familiar with design show you around the residences
The classic saying holds that the customer is always right. However, it is frequently spoken with clenched teeth and a spirit of patience, knowing full well that these idiots will eventually deliver you a hefty check for your pains. When providing first images, it is frequently a good idea to include a few duds in an effort to persuade the audience to like the design you are trying to sell. Of course, there is the very real risk that they may love the dreadful thing you whipped together in less than five minutes to fool them into thinking you were working for your money. Yet, it provides a living.
