Checklist for designing print materials

POSTED AT 14:43 on 10th October 2007

When designing any artwork in either photoshop or illustrator to be used for print it’s important in the design process to always ask yourself the following questions in order to make sure that all that creative time spent isnt put to waste as the specification is incorrect:-

• Is my colour palette set to CMYK?
• What dimensions are required?
• What resolution is required?
• Are there any printing restrictions that need to be adhered to ie only 2, 3, 4 colours used?
• Do I require a bleed and how much?
• Are any photograph’s used paid for if not owned and the correct license sought as well?
• Are the fonts used system ones (ie standard mac or pc) or do they need to be embedded with the work? Also consider the possibility of x compatibility with this.
• Will the artwork transfer across to the desired print medium ok?
• Does the creative work achieve the desired brief and objectives of the client?

These are just some of the considerations I use as a basis in terms of understanding that specific print project.