Commercial Printing: Where You Should Start

By Author: Kaitlyn Miller
Total Articles: 90
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Always start with an understanding on what prints you really need;
The first question any Commercial printing company would ask you is what your print needs are, so you better be ready with the answers. Commercial printing is a simple and easy process on your end so make sure you do it quickly so your printers can print easily and meet your required date.

Then know the going rate for those needs.
It is imperative that you know the range of prices for your particular print requirements. It may vary a little but it is most likely that your printers will have the same going rate because of competition and the only variation will probably be their freebies, their customer service and the quality of their prints.

Then try to find the best printer for your needs.
The commercial printing market is huge and myriad of printers are available, waiting for your printing requirements. With the number of printers around, no regulations have been set in place to keep the printers to a minimum and to have only the real reliable ones. You must therefore on your own capacity choose a printer that you can trust ...
... and give you what you need in the time you want.

Then learn more about the process by asking your printer.
Be like kids who constantly ask because they are curious about everything. It is important to know the process specially the process you need to go through. The printers may probably not tell you about the technical stuff because you don’t need to know it. what you need to know is how to create the designs according to their specifications or requirements for smooth printing and transaction.

Then start creating your design.
If you are new to commercial printing, you probably have no idea how to make the design. You will not draw it on paper rather you will draw it on your design program. The best way to deal with this is to use design programs that have online tutorials that can give you a step by step process on how to place the colors, how to make the lines or various shapes etc. or you could ask your printer what programs they use so you use the same thing and come to them when you are having issues. A little warning though, some printers add an additional fee to designing assistance so ask first before you request for their help.

Then check your file.
There are limited file types that your printers allow so it is important that you have the files that they require. Check on your fonts files too that they are imbedded on the main art file and the colors you are using are in CMYK or Panatone. Check your designs too specially the text and the images that they do not fall after the trim line.

Then submit your art file.
Your printer will tell you where and how you can submit your art file. Before you do though make sure you have checked the file several times and with fresh eyes to be sure that your art file is ready for printing and that it won’t be sent back to you.

All the rest will be mostly up to your printer unless you did not follow their important file requirements and the files will be ricocheting back and forth to you and your printer.

For more information, you can visit this page on commercial printing