5 Mistakes to Avoid in Print Design

After 15 years in the printing industry, I’ve seen countless print jobs delayed or reprinted due to easily avoidable design mistakes. Here are the top five errors and how to prevent them.

1. RGB vs. CMYK Color Mode

This is the number one issue we encounter. Designs created in RGB (screen colors) will look different when printed in CMYK (print colors). Those vibrant blues and greens on your monitor? They’ll appear muted on paper.

The Fix

Always design in CMYK mode from the start. If you must convert, do it early and adjust colors as needed.

2. Insufficient Image Resolution

Images that look crisp on screen can print blurry if they don’t have enough pixels. The standard for print is 300 DPI (dots per inch).

The Fix

• Use high-resolution images (300 DPI minimum)
• Don’t scale up images in your design software
• Request original files from photographers

3. Missing Bleed

Bleed is the area beyond the trim line that gets cut off. Without it, you’ll see white edges on your finished product.

The Fix

• Add 0.125” bleed on all sides
• Extend backgrounds and images to the bleed line
• Keep important content within the safe zone

4. Font Issues

Missing fonts or outlined text can cause major headaches at the print shop.

The Fix

• Convert all fonts to outlines before sending
• Or package your fonts with the file
• Use PDF format to preserve fonts

5. Ignoring the Printer’s Specs

Every printer has specific requirements. Ignoring them leads to delays and unexpected results.

The Fix

• Request print specifications before designing
• Follow the template if provided
• Ask questions when unsure

Prevention is Key

The best way to avoid these mistakes is to communicate with your printer early. At Alaska Business Supply, we offer free file checks and can catch issues before they become costly problems.

Upload your files and we’ll review them at no charge.