One of the most important features of a print design tool is color management. Color management is the process of ensuring that the colors you see on your screen match the colors that will be printed on paper. This is crucial because different devices and printers use different color models and profiles, which can affect how your design looks in the final output. A good print design tool should allow you to choose from various color modes, such as CMYK, RGB, or Pantone, and adjust the color settings according to the printer and paper type you will use. It should also let you preview your design in different color modes and simulate how it will look on print.
Many will not know that some colours don't translate from screen to paper easily. As you create designs for brands and campaigns, it's important to factor in will your design cross mediums well. For example, many blues don't print well, so if colour consistency is a top priority, you just increased your print costs by 20-30%
Often rebranding takes place without consulting a printer. Big mistake. You design a logo that POPS! and then realize to achieve that color in print you have to print PMS instead of 4 color process which can be costly and not always a good fit for the project. Talk to your printer partner about pitfalls WHILE in rebranding mode instead of after the new branding is solidified.
As much as we want it to be accurate, every printer will print differently. Just because your laser printer on copy paper looks good, does not mean the vender printing the banner is going to look the same. Sample, sample, sample!
Not all colors look the same on paper as they do on screens. When creating designs, it's important to think about how well your design will work across both digital and print. For example, certain shades of blue don't print accurately, and if you want perfect color consistency, you might end up spending 20-30% more on printing.
1. Calibrate your monitor :) 2. Choose the right color profile. 3. Know - what paper will be using, cuz that will affect your total ink amount 4. Never send RGB files to the printer with the hope, that they will make the correct color management of your images.
Another key feature of a print design tool is resolution and file format. Resolution refers to the number of pixels or dots per inch (dpi) that make up your design. The higher the resolution, the sharper and clearer your design will be on print. However, higher resolution also means larger file size and longer printing time. A good print design tool should allow you to set the optimal resolution for your design, depending on the size and purpose of your print material. It should also let you save your design in a suitable file format, such as PDF, EPS, TIFF, or JPEG, that can be easily opened and printed by different printers and software.
In my time I've had many people send me 'artwork' and what I get is Canva links or Powerpoint docs. Whilst you can print from them and it's much easier these days, the quality of the output is often compromised. For example, you need all your images to be high quality 300dpi as a minimum at 100% if you want a clear image, even high quality if you want to be vibrant and eyecatching.
A third key feature of a print design tool is layout and alignment. Layout and alignment refer to the arrangement and positioning of your design elements, such as text, images, shapes, and logos. A good print design tool should help you create a balanced and harmonious layout that follows the principles of contrast, hierarchy, proximity, and alignment. It should also provide you with guides, grids, rulers, and margins that help you align your elements precisely and consistently. Moreover, it should enable you to create multiple pages, master pages, and templates that make your design process more efficient and organized.
Bleed is something you need on any design alongside clearance areas. When you print, you need the background to extend 3mm beyond the final size to give so when it's cut down the background runs to the edges. Despite all the improvements in technology, there is still 0.5 - 1mm of movement, more often in digital print, so you want a clearance area inside the page size of 5mm and bleed of 3mm, this means if the cutting is marginally out, you don't have white edges or text running to the very edge of the page.
Very handy to see guides and margins on/off at the touch of a button. Cycling through 'Screen Mode' Normal, Preview, Bleed & Slug. Guides and margins being crucial for artworking then a quick preview to see the uncluttered final artwork. A necessity if the client is looking over your shoulder! Also helpful to hide any elements on the Pasteboard by Previewing. Bleed preview option being a great way to make sure the 3mm bleed has been added all round before going to print.
I am amazed at how many online print design tools completely neglect the need for bleeds and for setting the bleed size. I find that online design tools think screen first and then try to adapt for print. Many times failing in that move.
A fourth key feature of a print design tool is typography and fonts. Typography and fonts refer to the style, size, and appearance of the text in your design. A good print design tool should offer you a variety of fonts and font styles that suit your design theme and message. It should also allow you to customize your fonts with options such as kerning, tracking, leading, and ligatures that affect the spacing and readability of your text. Furthermore, it should let you use special characters, symbols, and glyphs that add more flair and functionality to your text.
There are so many fun fonts, remember to outline them before sending them off to a vendor or peer for review. Or choose an open source typeface that is easily accessible.
Other important font-related features to consider include: 1. The ability to use fonts that aren’t included with the software. At some point, either for design or licensing reasons, you’ll need to use a font that doesn’t come with the software. 2. The ability to embed fonts might be a feature you need. For long-form documents like book interiors, embedding fonts is a must.
A fifth key feature of a print design tool is paper and printing options. Paper and printing options refer to the choices you have regarding the type, size, weight, and finish of the paper you will use for your print design. A good print design tool should help you select the best paper option for your design, depending on the quality, durability, and cost you want. It should also let you specify the printing options, such as single-sided or double-sided, full-bleed or no-bleed, and glossy or matte, that affect the appearance and performance of your print design.
Paper choice significantly influences perceived value, professionalism, & brand identity. It is a tangible representation of your brand that can enhance or detract from the overall effectiveness of your print materials. If you're unsure what will yield optimum results, consult with a print professional like me. Remember: It should align with the brand identity & message. Different types can evoke different emotions & convey specific messages, i.e., recycled paper aligns with an eco-friendly brand. Paper thickness plays a role in durability and longevity. Heavy paper stock feels premium & maintains impact. Desired finishes, like foil, require specific paper characteristics. Paper's quality & texture contribute to brand perception.
Surely this article is AI 🤖generated – in my experience there are no design tools to help designers choose paper, especially tools that also include the other basic/obvious criteria mentioned. As a designer, unless you have a ton of experience with varied paper stocks, mills, and line – or your client is the type who cares little beyond “give me white coated” – choosing paper is a tactile, comparative, and very analog exercise. That said, good digital tools allow you advanced options to tweak your design to perform better on your paper stock choice, such as for line weights and screen densities. But if you care that much about your project, you should already be reviewing priorities with your printer well before deadline.
A sixth key feature of a print design tool is user interface and support. User interface and support refer to the ease of use and accessibility of the tool. A good print design tool should have a user-friendly and intuitive interface that lets you navigate and operate the tool with ease. It should also have a comprehensive and helpful support system that provides you with tutorials, tips, FAQs, and customer service that can assist you with any issues or questions you may have.
Accessibility is important even if it does not impact your immediate constituents. Choosing single-story A's, the right uppercase I's and lowercase L's can make all the difference to the roughly 10% of the population who have dyslexia. You want to consider those who have color blindness when you choose a high contrast. Simple considers like this will be appreciated by those who are often under-considered.
The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing print design software is the type of collateral you’ll be working on. Print design covers a wide range of collateral with differing technical requirements. Not every piece of software will have the features needed to produce files that print well or that the printer will accept. Aside from the technical aspects, it‘s hard to produce professional quality results at professional speeds if the software is a poor match for the type of collateral.