Designing for print is more than just making something look good on screen. It involves precision, planning, and an understanding of how ink meets paper. At Davin Creative, we help customers bring their ideas to life without costly mistakes. Here are 7 expert tips to help you design print-ready artwork the right way—from the start.
1. Use the Right Color Mode: CMYK, Not RGB
Designing in RGB (used for screens) might look vibrant on your monitor, but once printed, colors can appear dull or off. Always set your design files to CMYK color mode—this is what professional printers use to achieve accurate color reproduction.
Quick Tip: Most design tools like Adobe Illustrator or Canva allow you to switch between RGB and CMYK.
2. Set Proper Bleed and Margins
“Bleed” is the area beyond your artwork’s edge that ensures no unprinted white lines appear when the paper is trimmed. We recommend a 3mm bleed on all sides.
Margins protect important content (like text and logos) from being too close to the edge. Keep at least 5mm of safe space inside your design.
Pro Tip: Download our print templates for correct bleed and margin guides.
3. Use High-Resolution Images (Minimum 300 DPI)
Blurry prints happen when low-quality images are used. Always ensure your images are at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) for crisp, professional output.
Common Mistake: Taking images from the web (72 DPI) and expecting print-quality results.
4. Choose Readable Fonts & Proper Sizes
Fancy fonts may look stylish, but they can be hard to read when printed small. Choose clean, legible fonts and avoid font sizes below 8pt for body text.
Design Tip: Test your font choice by printing a sample at 100% scale before sending to print.
5. Convert Text to Outlines
To avoid font errors during printing, convert all text to outlines or curves before saving your file. This ensures the font is preserved exactly as designed—even if we don’t have your font installed.
6. Save in the Right Format
We accept several formats, but PDF is the most preferred. It keeps everything locked in—fonts, images, and layout—so nothing shifts or breaks.
Other accepted formats include:
- AI (Adobe Illustrator)
- EPS
- PSD (flattened)
- PNG or JPG (for simple images)
Pro Tip: Always embed or outline fonts before saving.
7. Proofread Everything—Twice
One small spelling mistake can cost a lot to fix once printed. Before submitting your file, double-check:
- Spelling and grammar
- Phone numbers, emails, and links
- Print size and orientation
- Color contrasts
Have someone else proofread too—fresh eyes catch more!
Final Thoughts
Designing for print doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these simple but crucial tips, you can ensure your final product looks just as good on paper as it does in your mind.
At Davin Creative, we offer free file checks, template support, and expert design services to help your print go perfectly—every time.
Need help with your print design?
Visit our Design Services or Contact Us to get started.