Imagine the satisfaction of opening an order of freshly printed brochures and finding each page is rich in color and perfect in quality. Printing should be a streamlined and rewarding part of the product design process, but this isn’t always the case. Trouble-free printing demands a little bit of extra effort and a lot of communication.
There are several preparation tips for trouble-free printing, from document settings to preparing line art for print. Communication with the printing company is another key consideration.
As experts in the industry, our friendly and professional team prioritize communication to ensure that our valued customers get exactly what they want. However, communication is a two-way street, and here’s how you can do your part.
The importance of communication
Across all industries, communication plays a pivotal role in fostering a good working relationship and ensuring the productivity of the job. Great communication helps build trust, improve efficiency, and allow both parties to be satisfied with the result.
Traditionally, communication involves tone of voice, listening skills, body language, and detailed briefs. When it comes to trouble-free printing, there are a few additional aspects to consider so that the job is done correctly.
Communication with the printing company
As a designer or business representative, building a relationship with your preferred printing company is important. In addition to healthy communication habits, the following practical communication tips should be considered.
Identify appropriate partners
It’s important to give clear instructions which prevent miscommunication and potential mistakes.
It also helps to provide a pdf of your document. Any last-minute changes should be indicated to save time and ensure that all updates are noted.
Prepare the file format
Depending on the file format, the design should be properly prepared for the printer. Incorrectly exchanging the document with the printing company could corrupt the file and cause delays.
Consider the following guidelines.
- Native file — send the Illustrator, InDesign, or alternative file to include all images and fonts.
- PostScript file — ensure that both the PostScrip data and content are included, as the printer won’t be able to make any updates if needed.
- PDF file — depending on the design application, ensure the necessary steps are followed for the PDF file to be print-ready
- Consider other file formats — confirm that the printer accepts your file format, such as TIFF’s or jpeg’s.
If you’re sending files to an FTP site, then the files must be compressed correctly. If in doubt, use ZIP and Stuffit compression systems, as the incorrect FTP settings could damage uncompressed files.
Double check your file folder
Avoid back-and-forth with the printing provider by streamlining the file folder. For example, delete all old and unwanted files from the folder and ensure that the original file is in the folder (instead of a copy).
Double-check that all elements are included in the folder before sending them to the printer. For example, include all images and fonts to avoid text rewraps. If there are any custom modifications to fonts, ensure that you include a note.
Business relationship
Hiring the services of a printing company is a business relationship and for a long-lasting relationship, it’s important to respect the exchange of work. Don’t take advantage of the service by assuming more work will be done, take responsibility for checking for typos, removing color casts, etc., instead of assuming that the printer will do it.
Partner with a professional printing company
At Ritter’s Printing & Packaging, we go above and beyond to deliver quality printing solutions since 1988. If you’re looking for a fast and reliable printer in Fort Lauderdale, then we’ve got you covered. Give us a call at 954-771-7204 to find out more about the services we offer.
