An overview of some common printing methods, as well as basics and tips for making your print projects successful. Design from start to finish.

1. DESIGNING FOR
PRINT
ORANGE SPARKLE BALL

2. DON’T LET PRODUCTION BE AN AFTERTHOUGHT
sign
DESIGNER:
I designed this really
cool heart-shaped sign
for a valentine event.
I’m in a hurry but,
I only need one so it
should be cheap right?
PRINTER:
Well...I actually that shape
would need to be bleed
printed then die cut,
which is going to be very
expensive for just one piece...
and it won’t fit on our press.

3. if you are (EVER) going to have to print it,
think about how you are going to make that happen
DESIGN WITH INTENT

4. FAST/
EASY
CHEAP/
AFFORDABLE
HIGH
QUALITY
REALITY = YOU CAN ONLY HAVE 2 OUT OF 3
THE
IMPOSSIBLE
TRIANGLE

5. COMMON PRINTING METHODS
DIGITAL
OFFSET
THERMOGRAPHY
LETTERPRESS
ENGRAVING
EMBOSSING/DEBOSSING
FOIL STAMPING

6. COMMON PRINTING METHODS
DIGITAL
OFFSET
THERMOGRAPHY
LETTERPRESS
ENGRAVING
EMBOSSING/DEBOSSING
FOIL STAMPING
full color process: pigment is deposited directly on printing
surface and either absorbed or heat-fused (no plates)
images on metal plates are transferred/offset to rubber
blankets or rollers and then to the print media (1 plate per color)
the same process as offset with an additional step: a powder is
applied to the ink and then heated to make a raised texture
metal plates or wood type are made with image & text in relief,
ink is applied and then plates are pressed into print surface
metal plates are made with recessed image, ink is applied, then paper
is pressed to plate with 2 tons of pressure leaving a raised image
same process as engraving or letterpress but with NO ink,
or with only varnish
using metal plates and a colored film or foil, the image is heat
transferred onto the print surface
a.k.a inkjet, laser, giclee
a.k.a. lithography
a.k.a. raised printing
a.k.a. the OG of printing
a.k.a. bruises are good
a.k.a. blind stamping
a.k.a. hot stamping

7. COMMON PRINTING METHODS
DIGITAL
OFFSET
THERMOGRAPHY
LETTERPRESS
ENGRAVING
EMBOSSING/DEBOSSING
FOIL STAMPING
1 color
=
1 plate
higher qty
=
lower cost
per piece

8. COMMON PRINTING METHODS
DIGITAL
OFFSET
THERMOGRAPHY
LETTERPRESS
ENGRAVING
EMBOSSING/DEBOSSING
FOIL STAMPING
+ fast, full color (photos)
- material limitations, color variation
+ true color, better for large runs, holds finer detail
- translucent inks
+ imitates engraving
- doesn’t hold fine detail well, can be cheap looking
+ premium appeal, thicker papers/materials
- translucent inks, longer turnaround time
+ intricate detail, traditional/premium, metallic & opaque inks
- longer turnaround, harder to find, not for 2-sided printing
+ unique textural effect
- not great for all uses/materials
+ metallics, light colors on dark paper
- can be cheap looking, not for 2-sided printing

9. COLOR VARIES WITH PROCESS & MATERIAL
DIGITAL
OFFSET
THERMOGRAPHY
LETTERPRESS
ENGRAVING
EMBOSSING/DEBOSSING
FOIL STAMPING
(pretend this is
dark gray paper)

10. WHAT ADDS
COMPLEXITY, TIME AND COST
FINISHING
die-cutting
(anything not a rectangle)
folding
binding
duplexing
hand-assembly
MULTIPLE PROCESSES
order materials
- then -
offset print
- then -
letterpress
- then -
assemble
CHANGES
qty changes or
additional runs
file edits or
mistakes

11. what is your printing budget?
how many do you need? (explain economies of scale)
do you have a particular size or format in mind?
have you seen something similar that you are basing this on? May I see it?
(check it out and see if it is comparable to what they are asking for: is it
more/less complicated or expensive?)
what is your deadline? (explain turnaround time)
please look over the proof carefully. It will be printed exactly as shown.
CLIENT COMMUNICATION CHECKLIST

12. PROOF for spelling, grammar and content
CMYK
outline all text and paths (save a separate un-outlined version in case of edits)
embed artwork (300 dpi at full scale)
output as press quality pdf
send native file along with pdf (most cases)
include trim marks and bleeds
.25 stroke weight minimum
use a separate layer for finishing instructions (drill holes, score marks, etc)
FILE CHECKLIST
ZOOM INTO
300%-400%
TO SEE A BETTER
IDEA OF PRINT
RESOLUTION ON
YOUR SCREEN

13. can I have a cost estimate?
what is the turnaround time?
do you have file type or setup preferences? (usually pdf, tif, eps, or .ai)
do you have spec templates or min./max. press or material restrictions?
do you offer proofing (hard or digital)?
attach all print specs with artwork:
• qty • PMS colors or other color matching
• size • finishing instructions
• stock (bleeds, cutting, scoring, folding, assembly)
attach a mock-up or drawings as needed (paper dolls!)
specify deadline and delivery instructions
BE AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE
PRINTER COMMUNICATION CHECKLIST

14. WHAT CLIENT SEES vs. WHAT PRINTER SEES

15. Atlanta Area Printers
MATCH THE PROJECT TO THE PRINTER
MOO.COM
HENRY & CO.
LAWRENCE INK
BUSTER’S
ART LAMINATING
PRINT TIME
ALEE & PRESS
48HOURPRINT.COM
OVERNIGHTPRINTS.COM
GREENPRINTERONLINE.COM

16. QUESTIONS?