Color Graphics - Your copying, printing & web page needs

Setting Up Your PAGE LAYOUT For Printing, Digital Output or Copying

General Layout Tips: Everyone is a self designated layout artist.  TRUE, but what are some of the basic pitfalls of laying out a document??

1. Don’t use too many fonts (type styles).  Busy is NOT Better. The ultimate purpose of your document is to convey a message to someone.  If they can’t read it or determine the meaning without getting a headache looking at it, they will throw it away without ever getting your message.  If you use special fonts be sure to include them on a disk when you bring your document in to be copied or printed

2. Too many colors is not good, either. Select a theme that has colors which don’t clash and stick with it. Use it as a tool throughout your document to bring attention to the items you really want to attract attention to.

3. Think about your budget when designing your layout.  Too many people ignore the cost factor when designing their own layouts.   The general rule is:

Black and White copying or printing is Cheapest

Black and White on Colored Paper is next. (Any time you upgrade the paper it will cost more)

Spot color printing is generally more expensive: (one color is less than two colors, etc)

Standard spot colors (red, green, blue, etc.) are generally cheaper to print than Pantone Matching System Colors (PMS Colors which are colors which must be specially mixed for your job)

Full color printing or copying is the most expensive

The more you do - the less expensive per piece it is

4. Don’t believe that it must be full color or it won’t work. Many times you can have a visually pleasing and effective print piece that is one color or black and white.

5. Talk to the people that are going to print or copy your layout before you design it. Find out what their capabilities and costs are.  If you want to use them as your printer, make sure they have the same program you are using.

6. Less is generally better.  How many people have hours to peruse fine print in documents?  Not many. Most people are so busy they only scan written materials looking for things that interest them. Use bullets and other short phrases that will stand out when you can.  Use lots of white space, so your document does not seem crowded.

7. Catch your audiences interest. Put interesting, profit making, relevant, etc. items in your document so people will look at it.

8. Leave enough space around the margins. Unless you are setting up something for a full bleed (right to the edges of the paper) Leave enough space around the edges.  Copiers need about 1/4” space all around and printing presses need room to grip the edge of the paper to pull it through the press.

9. For 3 fold or 2 fold brochures - leave twice as much space between the columns in the middle as you have margin on the edges. That way when it is folded all the margins will be even.

10.  Insist on a proof and a quote.  Sounds pretty basic, but if they don’t offer and you don’t ask for a proof, you are both asking for trouble.  Make sure you know how much it will cost.