7 Tips for Flawless Jobs

Everyone wants to make sure their print jobs look their best. No typos. Color is perfect. All hairlines line up the way they should. Even if we’ve been doing this for years, it’s always a good idea for all of us to step back and remind ourselves of some of the best practices for getting it right. Here’s a quick list of tips.

1. Hire a proofreader. Too many companies have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on a print job only to discover once it was off the press that there was a typo in a headline or in the body text. It can happen to anyone. Even the Library of Congress had to pull its 2017 presidential inauguration poster because of a misspelled “to” instead of “too” on the front. Don’t take the risk! Hire a proofreader.

2. Add more sets of eyes. Whether it’s the marketing message, the creative, or the account details, having a second set of eyes on each aspect of the project can prevent costly mistakes later. This adds time, but it creates an important safety net.

3. Check the specs! Before submitting the job, double check to make sure the specs are correct. A slip of the pen, an errant keystroke, or a last-minute change—it all adds up to costly mistakes later.

4. Create mock-ups. Print a mock-up so you can see how the document will look once assembled. Especially with folded documents and dimensional pieces, the layout might look good on screen, but once you create the physical mock-up, you could end up with a surprise. Perhaps the back cover ended up on the inside fold or the panels on your pop-up mailer were ordered incorrectly.

5. Proof after every change. When you’re just making a small change, it’s tempting to pass on a proof. Don’t! Even a single letter can change the spacing in the entire document. Even something as simple as changing an "i” to a "j” can impact the flow. Proof it every time!

6. Create a checklist. We’re all human. We all have forgetful moments. Even if you’re a 20-year veteran of the job, create a checklist and use it every time.

7. Develop a long-term relationship with your print partner. Communicate with us early and often. The more we get to know you, your projects, and your marketing goals, the easier it will be for us to make sure your projects stay on track.