As a startup CEO, you have a million things on your plate. But when it comes time to send your packaging design to the printer, you must first check a few key things. From ensuring your colors are on point to checking for bleed errors, here are the top seven things to look for before hitting “send.”
1. Make sure you have the correct dimensions for your design
2. Check the resolution of your images to ensure they’ll print clearly
3. Choose the right paper stock for your project
4. Consider using a specialty printing process for added impact
5. Make sure your bleed and margins are set correctly
6. Proofread your design carefully before sending it off
7. Make sure all colors are accurate and that you’ve included a PMS (Pantone) color swatch for reference
Following these steps before sending your design off to the printer will help ensure a successful printing job and leave you with a product that looks just as good on the shelf as on your computer screen. Good luck!
Make sure you have the correct dimensions for your design
Whether you’re packaging a product or creating a design that needs to fit within specific parameters, ensuring you have the correct dimensions is essential. Taking accurate measurements can be tedious and time-consuming. Still, it pays off in the end: if your packaging or design isn’t the exact size you need, you could risk an unsatisfied customer or a poor fit for whatever purpose it was intended for. Taking the time to ensure everything has the correct dimensions will save plenty of headaches later on!
Check the resolution of your images to ensure they’ll print clearly
Ensuring your image resolution is correct before printing them is crucial to achieving precise, crisp results. The resolution of an image refers to how many pixels the image contains, and it needs to be high enough to ensure that your photo looks as professional and accurate as possible. If you plan on printing your photos, adjust the resolution appropriately before printing—a low resolution can mean a blurry and undefined image! You can check the resolution with just a few clicks and better equip yourself for a quality outcome.
Choose the right paper stock for your project
Choosing the right paper stock for your project can be a daunting task. After all, you want to ensure that it looks great and conveys the message you’re trying to send correctly. When selecting paper stock for your project, think about the purpose of the document and its intended audience. For something that is meant to be durable and long-lasting, choose high-quality cardstock or heavier-weight paper so it will stand up over time. For a fancier presentation and a more professional look, try out something with a special finish, like 100% cotton paper. Many recycled stocks are also available if you want to make an earth-friendly choice. So no matter the document, you need to create, research, ask questions and choose a quality paper stock that will suit your project!\
Consider using a specialty printing process for added impact
Making a lasting impression is vital when it comes to printed materials. Whether we’re talking about business cards, brochures or leaflets, getting creative with the printing process can increase impact significantly. Why not consider employing a specialty printing process when boosting your printed product? With many new and exciting techniques becoming available, like embossing, foil stamping and laser cutting, chances are you’ll find something that perfectly captures the desired effect. A specialty printing process can take your prints from “meh” to magnificent!
Make sure your bleed and margins are set correctly
Setting your bleed and margins correctly can make a big difference when creating professional, polished documents. Bleed is the area extending past the document’s edge where colors, images, or other elements bleed off from one page to the next. Margins are areas inside of that where text and images are contained. Ensure both are set appropriately for your project; otherwise, you may get unexpected results during printing or publication. Take the time upfront to ensure these settings are correct: it will save you headaches!
Proofread your design carefully before sending it off
Before you finish up your latest design project, don’t forget to take a minute and review everything. Now’s the time to make sure there are no spelling mistakes or other typos since once it’s sent off, there won’t be much of an opportunity to fix any errors. Similarly, double-check the alignment of each element and make sure everything looks the way you want before sending. A little extra effort now saving proofreading can go a long way to impressing your client with professional work. And, who knows, after you get into the habit of giving projects one final edited look before submitting them, it may even become a point of pride for you!
Ensure all colors are accurate and that you’ve included a PMS (Pantone) color swatch for reference
When producing a printed piece, one of the most critical steps is ensuring that all your colors are accurate and ensuring there are no surprises, and it’s always recommended to include a PMS color swatch with each project. This reference helps guarantee that what you see on the proof or your monitor matches precisely with the end product. Yes, it takes extra time up front, but those few moments can save you from nasty surprises when you receive the finished job. This small step can help ensure you get a fantastic printed piece, so double-check and don’t forget to include your Pantone color swatch!
These are just a few things to remember while creating your packaging design. If you have any questions or need help getting started, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Giant. We’re always happy to chat about projects and answer any questions you might have. Contact us today, and we’ll get you started on creating great packaging for your products!
