This is the quick & dirty version of our 8.5 steps. Over the next three weeks, we’ll provide more details about each step. If you have any specific questions you’d like us to address, post a comment. If you have a question that you need the answer to now, send me a quick email – sandy@DataDesignsPublishing.com.
Preparation & Setup
1. Identify and talk to your printer early. The sooner you can identify the printer and create your documents with that printer in mind, the less likely you are to run into issues at print time.
2. Use the proper page size (i.e., don’t create a 5″x7″ document on an 8.5″x11″ page size).
3. Create bleeds if you have elements that you want to print to the edge of the page.
Document Creation
4. Use best practices while creating your file.
5. Use CMYK colors, not RGB colors.
6. Use high resolution graphics. Most of the time, when a document won’t print, there is a problem with your graphics. When a printed document looks bad, the problem is usually with your graphics.
7. Make good font choices. The second most common reason your document doesn’t print properly is that there are font issues.
Prepping Your Print Files
8. Preflight your document.
8.5 Create your files for the printer using the approach the printer identified. Yes, this is a repeat, but it bears repeating. Ask the printer how he wants you to prepare the files, then prepare the files that way.
Data Designs Publishing will be conducting an InDesign Basics free webinar on June 19, 2012 at 9am. We will follow it up with a 6-week Basics and Beyond webinar series over the summer. Click here for info on the free webinar. Registration closes June 14, so check it out today. If you’re interested in the webinar training series but cannot attend the free webinar, contact me – Sandy@DataDesignsPublishing.com
Leave a Reply