Taking a design from concept to finished piece is easier said than done.
It starts before the design app launches, and continues long after the files are uploaded for printing. Miss one step in the workflow and suddenly your design is delayed, over budget, or just not how you intended.
Don’t fear!
By following this workflow, you’ll spend less time troubleshooting preventable issues, protect your budget from surprise expenses, and deliver printed designs to your client or audience exactly as promised. Whether you’re printing a product brochure, event flyer, or promo poster — every successful print project starts with the same process.
Here’s What’s Covered:
- Why Print Always Has Results
- Prepping With a Solid Brief
- Designing
- Pre-Press
- Choosing Printing Partners for Affordable Bulk Printing
- Proofing & Turnaround Times
Why Print Advertising Always Has Results
People still love printed pieces.
When faced with so many digital distractions, 82% trust printed ads more than any other form of advertising — and that trust doesn’t come easily these days. Commercial printing is a global industry valued at over $500 billion USD in 2024, and print ads consistently generate an average ROI of 130%.
But here’s something you should know before jumping into any print project…
Printing in bulk is easier (and more affordable) than ever before… but only when your files and printing workflow are handled correctly. Rush Printing Services empowers visual communicators with the resources needed to take on bulk printing jobs that look great without the headaches.
That’s the workflow.
Prepping With a Solid Brief
Every successful print project begins long before the designer.
The brief is your roadmap. No design should start without understanding 100% what needs to be communicated on the printed piece. This means designing with purpose — answering questions about what, how, when, and why. The brief should identify:
- Why are you creating this printed piece? Inform, promote, sell?
- Who is your target audience/customer?
- What size and format is needed? Flyer, brochure, poster?
- How many do you need printed? Budget?
- What’s the hard deadline?
Solidifying every detail of your print project before the design process begins is how professionals stay organized, and avoid costly mistakes later.
It sounds obvious, but failing to start with a proper brief is the most common cause of projects going over-budget and missing their deadline.
Designing
Time to design!
Effective visual communication establishes a clear hierarchy of information. Beginning with the main message and working down, every element on the page should draw attention to what’s most important first — then support the main message with details.
Quick design tips:
- Headlines should be big, bold, and not hard to find
- Body copy must be legible (font choice & size)
- Include images/icons + allow plenty of white space
- Calls to action should be clear and concise
Always remember…
Limit typefaces to two fonts maximum. Yes, you can technically use more than two but your layout will feel cluttered and appear less professional. This is especially true for affordable bulk printing orders that require consistent quality across the entire print run.
Images should always be 300 DPI minimum. Images that are only 72 DPI (display resolution) look fantastic on your computer but print quality will ALWAYS appear blurry and pixelated. There’s no fix once it’s sent to print.
And when designing, always opt to create your visuals in CMYK colour mode, NOT RGB. RGB is intended for digital screens. CMYK is the printing standard. Last minute conversions of colour modes can cause unexpected shifts in your design.
Pre-Press
This step is often overlooked.
Preparing print-ready files for pre-press check is where most print delays come from. Files aren’t ready to print but the project is already behind schedule. Save yourself the headache and refer to this quick pre-press checklist before hitting submit:
- Add bleed. Typically 3mm minimum on all sides to avoid white borders after trimming.
- Set your safe zone. Keep anything important 3-5mm inside your trim line.
- Fonts are embedded or outlined. This prevents substitution errors at the print house.
- Confirm colour mode is CMYK and the correct colour profile is applied.
- Confirm all images are 300 DPI minimum.
- Save as PDF/X-1a format.
Pro tip: Always double-check your pre-press requirements with your chosen print provider. They may have specific requirements that differ from the above.
Choosing Printing Partners for Affordable Bulk Printing
Budgets are made or broken here.
Far too often designers base their printing partner decision solely on price alone. But when it comes to affordable bulk printing, how fast you get your files back should be just as important as quality — not to mention file support and customer service.
Whenever possible ask potential printing partners about:
- Turnaround times. Event based projects require quick turnarounds.
- Paper types and finishes. Matte? Glossy? Uncoated?
- Minimum print quantities. Some printers won’t print your order at 1,000, say 5,000 minimum.
- File support. Will they proof your files before printing?
- Customer service. Miscommunications happen, how will they help?
Hint: Printing in bulk almost always reduces your cost per unit. Planning your orders with volume in mind is one of the easiest ways to save when setting your print budget.
Finding printing partners that offer affordable bulk printing rates without sacrificing quality is huge. Rush Printing Services stands behind its print partners, ensuring they understand visual communicators and offer reliable services that make your job easier.
Smart, huh?
Proofing & Turnaround Times
Speaking of turnaround times…
All too often designers forget about what happens after hitting submit. Files are uploaded and suddenly it’s out of your hands. Avoid disappointment and assume nothing until you see the proof.
These three factors should never be overlooked:
- Proof approval. Always proof your files before going to print. Digital proofs are okay but never skip a physical proof if possible.
- Allow for shipping times. Print might be quick but how long does it take to get to you?
- Plan for storage. Buying in bulk is great, now where will you put it all?
For all intents and purposes, proofing should never be rushed.
Deadlines can be tight when working with print projects but don’t sacrifice accuracy for speed. Rush Printing Services has experienced designers look over every file prior to printing. Yes, even if your printer says they provide file proofing.
Circle Back to the Beginning…
Take your print projects from concept to reality without the headache.
Designing for print shouldn’t be complicated. Rushesprintservices.com breaks down the workflow into 6 simple steps that ensure your design arrives how you intended. Prepare a solid brief, design with print specs in mind, double-check your pre-press files, choose printing partners that support affordable bulk printing jobs, and always proof before ordering.
Did you know 48% hang onto direct mail long after they receive it? When done right, your printed piece will continue to work for you well after your project deadlines are met.