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Getting ready to send your files off to the printer? Setting up your print files properly can seem overwhelming, which it why we’ve rounded up all our prepress articles and shared them in a format that makes it easy for you to navigate them. The checklist below will carry you through each aspect of preparing your files and provides a link to the tutorial that corresponds with that topic. Don’t forget to swing by our Resource Library for a FREE printable version of this checklist to keep at your desk! IMAGES Prepress 101: How to Prepare Images for Print – 300 DPI/PPI resolution – Convert images to CMYK – Images are large enough to avoid pixilation – Vector files are best for logos, icons, and graphics – Images/graphics packaged with file or embedded FONTS – Proofread your work! – Package fonts with the file OR convert text to outlines – […]

Variable printing is when the text, images, or graphics on a single print run vary from piece to piece without slowing down the process. An easy example is the address list that gets printed onto a direct mail campaign. You send the same direct mail piece to the 3,000 recipients on your list, but every piece isn’t exactly the same. The address changing from piece to piece is an example of variable printing. Another example is when you personalize the mailer with the recipient’s first name. But you’re not limited to just names and addresses. You can customize ANY text on your direct mail piece based on ANY subdivision in your mailing list! This will help you reach the right audience with the right message, which will make your mailing more effective and maximize your ROI. The possibilities are truly endless! Check out the infographic below for examples of variable […]

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Trade shows are a great way to network and gain exposure for your company. The design of your signage plays a key role in attracting people to your booth and building brand recognition for the future. Here are five tips for designing effective trade show signage: 1. Make sure your displays match your corporate stationery, website, and marketing collateral. Trade shows are an opportunity to gain brand recognition on the show floor. Be sure that the colors and design are consistent with your branding. Switching to a different design or colors for your booth is not going to build this recognition. Don’t waste any opportunity to get people familiar with your brand! 2. Less is more! Your banners should be clearly visible from a distance, so a clean design is usually your best bet. Keep in mind that you can reuse this signage in the future if you design it […]

We’ve all experienced it – you (or your designer) spent time creating a beautiful print project. But when you get the proof back from the printer, you realize that your images don’t look so good. What seemed clear on the computer is pixelated on the paper. Or maybe the colors just aren’t quite as vibrant as they were on the screen. Luckily, these issues are easily avoidable. It all comes down to knowing how to prepare quality images for print. Here are three simple things to check when selecting and prepping images for your print projects: 1. Convert images to CMYK You’ll need to make sure that all images that you plan to use in your project are set to CMYK color mode. RGB color mode is typically the default, but this is best for photos that will be used on the internet. To optimize the colors in your print […]

“80-90% of direct mail gets opened, while only 20-30% of email gets opened on a good day.” [Resource for Solutions] Direct mail can be a powerful marketing tool, so if you’re using mail as a part of your marketing campaign, you’re already a step ahead. Go even further by making sure that your envelope stands out from the rest of the pile! Here are a few easy tricks for getting that envelope opened: 1. Use brightly colored envelopes Stand out from the pile of white envelopes by using eye-catching neon colors. 2. Add “bait” to your envelope Bait is a great way to entice them to open the envelope. For our magazine campaign, we used the line, “Take a look inside!” to get people curious about the contents. 3. A unique size or shape Make your mail piece oversized so it doesn’t get lost in the pile. Better yet, send […]

At Conlin’s we offer over eight types of binding to finish your printed projects. Each type of binding has it’s own unique features, and choosing the best one for you depends largely on the project. There are several important factors to consider when selecting binding for your booklets, including: – What is the purpose of the project? – Does it need a professional finish, or it is going to be used internally? – How long will the piece be used for? Does it need a durable binding? Read on for info on each binding type, plus tips for making the final decision: Coil Binding A plastic coil holds together the pages of your coil-bound book. One of the major benefits of coil binding is that the finished product will lay flat on any page. You can also use tabs to further organize your book. This binding type is a common […]

“Why doesn’t the color on my print project look the same as the color on the screen?” One of the most common errors in print design is the improper use of color settings in the design document. Colors can look completely different on the computer screen than they look printed. Colors can even vary from one computer screen to the next, depending on the model of the computer or the resolution of the screen. It’s important to use the proper settings for your color swatches. This will ensure that your colors are consistent on all of your printed materials. Here are a few need-to-know tips to help you get the results you are looking for! When it comes to printing, there are two types of colors: process colors and spot colors. Process Colors (CMYK) Process colors are regular CMYK swatches. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black). This […]

Research from the United States Sign Council (USSC) states that it takes drivers one second to detect a sign on a busy street and another two to three seconds to read the message. With such a small window to grab their attention, it’s important that your lawn signs communicate your message clearly. Here are basic tips for how your signs can make an impression. Size & Readability When determining the size of your sign, as well as the size of your fonts, consider both the viewing distance and the speed limit of the area it will be placed in. If it’s going on a lawn in a quiet neighborhood where the speed limit is 25mph, the sign and it’s text can be smaller than if the sign were being placed on the side of a busy highway. The size most commonly used by our customers is 18″ x 24″. You can […]

Saddle stitch booklets are a popular and cost effective binding method that gives your projects a professional finish. To set up your design document properly for saddle stitch, there are a few tricks you’ll need to know. 1. The total page count needs to be divisible by 4 This booklet is basically a series of folded spreads stapled together. This means that the total page count needs to be divisible by four—otherwise you will have blanks at the end of your book. 2. Your pages will be ordered differently than with a regular booklet It seems natural to arrange your pages in order, but with this booklet type that will result in your pages being jumbled in the final product. For the pages to be in the proper order when the booklet is assembled, your design document will need the pages set up in a different order. If you are […]

Every Door Direct Mail (or EDDM) is a special type of mail offered by the United States Postal Service. This type of mailing doesn’t require a mailing list. Rather, your postcards are delivered to every door on a mail carrier’s route. This method allows for total saturation of a 1-2 mile geographic radius. Who should use EDDM? For a local company with a broad appeal (think pizza place, restaurant, or auto repair), EDDM can be a powerful tool for spreading the word about your business. If you’re new in the neighborhood you probably don’t have a mailing list — and with EDDM, you can spread the word without having to purchase one. Plus, the lower rates can mean cost savings, which is great if you are a small business on a budget. Candidates for EDDM include: • Auto Repair Shops • Car Washes • Carpet Cleaning • Churches • Dentists […]

First impressions are important, especially when you are prospecting new clients. Contribute to a positive first impression with a well-designed business card. Here are five design tips to help you get started! 1. Use good design principles. Make sure that your logo, type, and all content are clearly legible. Avoid overcrowding the card – negative space makes your design easier on the eye. For a professional result, spend a little of your budget and work with a professional designer! 2. Get creative, but stick to the standard size. It can be tempting to create different shapes and sizes of business cards, but practicality is just as important as creativity. If your card doesn’t fit in a wallet or card holder, it runs the risk of getting tossed. A standard card is 3.5″ x 2″ – this will fit in standard business-card holders. To make your card stand out, you can […]

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