What Designers Should Know About Print Production (But Often Don’t)
Print design doesn’t end when the layout looks good on screen.
One of the biggest gaps I see—especially as design has become increasingly digital-first—is a disconnect between designing something and producing it in the real world. Files that look perfect in InDesign or Illustrator can quickly fall apart once they hit a printer if production considerations weren’t part of the design process from the start.
Understanding print production isn’t about limiting creativity. It’s about making sure your ideas survive contact with reality.
Design vs. Production: Two Different Skill Sets
Many designers are excellent at:
Typography
Layout
Color theory
Visual storytelling
Fewer designers are trained in:
Pre-press requirements
File setup for print
Paper stocks and finishes
Vendor communication
Press limitations and tolerances
That gap often leads to costly revisions, delayed timelines, or compromised results. Knowing even the fundamentals of print production can dramatically improve outcomes—for both designers and clients.
File Setup Matters More Than You Think
One of the most common production issues starts with file setup. Printers rely on precise specifications, and small oversights can create big problems.
Designers should always understand:
Bleed requirements (and actually extend artwork into the bleed)
Trim and safety margins
Correct color mode (CMYK vs RGB)
Image resolution (300 DPI for print is still the standard)
Embedded fonts and linked images
A visually strong design can still fail if it isn’t technically sound.
Color on Screen ≠ Color in Print
What you see on screen is not what comes off the press.
Monitors are backlit and display color using RGB light, while printed materials rely on ink and paper. Without planning for this difference, colors can shift, darken, or lose vibrancy.
Print-aware designers:
Choose colors that translate well to CMYK
Understand ink coverage limits
Account for paper color and finish
Request proofs when color accuracy matters
This is especially important for brand-driven work where consistency is critical.
Paper, Finishes, and Physical Constraints
Print isn’t just visual—it’s tactile.
Paper weight, texture, coatings, and finishes all affect how a design feels and how it’s perceived. A design that works beautifully on glossy stock may fall flat on uncoated paper, and thin paper stocks can cause ink show-through or warping.
Good production design considers:
Paper weight and durability
Coated vs uncoated stocks
Folding, scoring, and binding requirements
Specialty finishes like foil, embossing, or spot UV
These decisions should influence layout and design—not be afterthoughts.
Designing for Scale and Efficiency
Print production often involves repetition: hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of units. Small design decisions can dramatically affect cost and efficiency.
Examples include:
Designing within standard paper sizes to reduce waste
Minimizing unnecessary color builds
Creating modular layouts that scale across multiple formats
Building templates that streamline updates
Designers who think this way are seen not just as creatives, but as problem solvers.
Vendor Communication Is Part of the Job
Print vendors are partners, not just service providers.
Knowing how to communicate with printers—asking the right questions, providing clean files, and understanding their feedback—can prevent issues before they happen.
Key questions designers should feel comfortable asking:
Preferred file formats and export settings
Proofing options and timelines
Press limitations or recommendations
Turnaround times and cost tradeoffs
Clear communication saves time, money, and frustration for everyone involved.
Why Print Production Knowledge Still Matters
Even in a digital-heavy world, print isn’t going away. Packaging, signage, catalogs, books, stationery, and in-store materials remain critical touchpoints for many brands.
Designers who understand print production:
Deliver more reliable work
Build trust with stakeholders and vendors
Reduce revisions and reprints
Create designs that translate seamlessly from concept to finished product
Ultimately, production knowledge doesn’t restrict creativity—it strengthens it.
Final Thought
Great design is about more than aesthetics. It’s about execution.
When designers understand how their work moves from screen to press, they gain more control over the final outcome—and that confidence shows in the work. Print production may not be the most glamorous part of design, but it’s often the difference between a design that looks good and one that truly works.
Download the Print-Ready PDF Checklist
Before sending files to a print shop, there are dozens of small details that can make the difference between a smooth production process and costly revisions.
I’ve created a one-page, print-ready PDF checklist that covers the essential items designers should verify before handing files off to a printer—file setup, color mode, export settings, fonts, images, and more.
Whether you’re new to print production or just want a reliable final check, this checklist is designed to be practical, easy to use, and printer-friendly.
(Always confirm specific requirements with your print vendor, as specifications may vary.)