Confused About Print Design? Here’s What to Look for in a Graphic Designer

As Graphic Designer, my goal is to keep print design simple and effective, ensuring your brand shines across all marketing materials—whether it’s business cards, posters, mailers, or signs. Your brand deserves to look just as great in the real world as it does online, and that’s where I come in.

Unlike DIY design tools like Canva, which may not support your brand’s unique fonts and color accuracy, I use Adobe Illustrator and InDesign, the industry standards, to ensure your print materials are perfectly aligned with your branding. These tools allow me to create crisp, professional designs that are print-ready, every time. Whether you need vector graphics that scale beautifully on business cards and posters, or a well-organized multi-page layout for brochures and mailers, I keep it simple and streamlined.

I also pay close attention to details like CMYK colors—the print standard for achieving accurate colors on paper—and document setup to ensure your files are prepared perfectly for print.

In case you’re completely new to the process of working with a Graphic Designer, I thought it would be helpful to go over some common print shop terms you’d need to understand to ensure everything goes smoothly!

Resolution (DPI)

What it means: DPI stands for “dots per inch” and measures the quality of the image. For print, you want your files at 300 DPI (dots per inch) to ensure sharp, high-quality prints. If the resolution is too low, the print will appear blurry or pixelated.

What to check: Make sure your images and designs are set to 300 DPI before sending to the printer.

Bleed

What it means: Bleed is the extra area (usually 0.125 inches) added around the edges of your design to ensure that the printed image extends all the way to the edges of the paper without leaving any white borders after trimming.

What to check: Ensure that your design includes bleed, and don’t place important text or logos too close to the edge (usually leave at least 0.25 inches from the trim line).

Trim Line & Safe Area

What it means: The trim line is where your design will be cut to size. The safe area is the part of your design that stays inside the trim line to ensure important text or images aren’t accidentally cut off.

What to check: Keep all critical elements (text, logos) within the safe area, away from the trim line.

File Formats (PDF, AI, EPS, TIFF, JPEG)

What it means: Different printers require different file formats. PDF is the most commonly used for print, as it preserves the quality and layout of your design. AI (Adobe Illustrator) and EPS are vector formats often used for logos and illustrations.

What to check: Confirm the print shop’s preferred file format and make sure you’re submitting a print-ready version of your design.

Paper Type and Weight

What it means: The type and weight of the paper can affect how your design looks and feels. Paper weights are measured in gsm (grams per square meter) or lb (pounds), with higher weights indicating thicker paper.

What to check: Be specific about the paper type (matte, glossy, textured) and weight for your project. If you’re unsure, ask the print shop for recommendations based on your design’s needs.

Finishing Options (Coating, Folding, Die-Cutting)

What it means: These are additional processes that can enhance the final product, but aren’t necessary for every project/budget:

1. Coating can give your prints a glossy or matte finish.
2. Folding may be necessary for brochures, mailers, or pamphlets.
3. Die-cutting is when a design has a custom shape (e.g., a logo cut out of a business card).
   

What to check: Specify any finishing options you want, and ensure your design is set up to accommodate them (e.g., proper folding margins or cut lines).

Quantity and Price Estimates

What it means: Print costs can vary significantly based on the quantity and quality of the materials. The more you print, the lower the cost per unit.

What to check: Get an accurate quote upfront, including all fees for setup, printing, and any finishing options (like die-cutting or embossing).

Always ask the print shop for advice if you’re unsure about any aspect of the process. They’re there to help!

Wrapping It Up

With each project, I ensure your brand remains consistent, professional, and visually appealing at every touchpoint, from digital to print. Let’s make your marketing materials not just functional, but beautiful—across all channels!