10 Things You Have to Know Before Going to Print! (Everyone Forgets Number 4)

Going to print with large quantities doesn't have to be stressful. Even if you're new to printing, following these 10 essential checkpoints will save you time, money, and headaches. Whether you're promoting your business or working on a personal project, missing even one of these steps could delay your production and delivery.

Let's walk through the top 10 things you need to consider before hitting that print button.

Shopping for Quotes#

Cost matters, especially for large print runs. You'll want to scan the market for the best price – make phone calls, send emails, and visit local printing shops to find something that fits your budget. We at Printulu can provide instant quotations online using our quotation module on each product page. This calculates your spending in real-time, giving you the price instantly. For special quotations like custom cuts, you might wait a bit longer as these need to be calculated by our resident quote estimator.

<AcademyProTip> Always look for the perfect balance between quality and price. The cheapest option isn't always the best value. </AcademyProTip>

davide ligabue

Paper Quality#

While keeping costs low matters, remember that your printed materials reflect directly on your business. Choosing the right paper can make a massive difference in how customers perceive you. If your [<a href="https://www.printulu.co.za/product/business-cards?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=content&utm_campaign=internal" class="internal-link text-[#007756] hover:text-[#005d42] underline font-medium">business card</a>](https://www.printulu.co.za/product/business-cards?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=content&utm_campaign=internal) or booklet/notepad cover feels cheap, customers might think the same about your service. Your marketing materials are a promise to your client – they should look and feel like quality.

For more information on paper grammage and when to use different weights, read our blog post on the topic here.

book pages forming a heart shape

Deadlines#

We all have expectations to meet. Knowing when you need your PVC banners and signage for that next event seriously impacts both cost and urgency. If you're a reseller, the last thing you want is handing over your client's invitations and placemats a day late. Factor delivery times and costs into your budget, and communicate clearly with your printer to ensure you receive everything on time.

That's why Printulu offers 3 different delivery options to suit your pocket and needs. For more information on our delivery services, read more here.

Person working on laptop

Purpose & Function#

Here's what everyone forgets: where will your finished product actually be used? Will the flyers sit in reception or get handed out at busy intersections? Is your poster for a one-time event or a permanent display? These factors directly impact the finish and paper quality you should choose. They also affect your design – your target audience and their needs should shape how your materials look and feel.

<AcademyQuote> The environment where your printed materials will live should drive every decision about paper, finish, and design. </AcademyQuote>

For design tips and tricks, check out our blog post here.

Double & Triple Check#

The smallest mistake on your business card, pamphlet, or letterhead can damage how customers see you. Worse still, if the date on your event [<a href="https://www.printulu.co.za/product/flyers?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=content&utm_campaign=internal" class="internal-link text-[#007756] hover:text-[#005d42] underline font-medium">flyer</a>](https://www.printulu.co.za/product/flyers?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=content&utm_campaign=internal) is wrong or your contact number is missing a digit, you could lose a chunk of your client base. These mistakes are annoying, and clients will unconsciously link your brand with poor attention to detail.

Always check and recheck your artwork before sending it to your printer. Get someone else to review it too – fresh eyes catch what you might miss.

Person printing photos

Proofs#

Requesting a proof can be the difference between disaster and success. Your materials must look perfect to build confidence with your audience. By ordering a proof, you'll see exactly how the rest of your order will turn out – giving you time to make changes. At Printulu, we recommend adding a duplicate order of your line item with a quantity of 1, then adding artwork for this line item only. Once you receive the physical product, you can upload the artwork to the main order.

Keep in mind that ordering proofs can delay production and delivery. Consider your deadlines and choose what works best for you. For more insight into our proof options, read more here.

Knowing your Colour Profiles#

We mention CMYK a lot, and there's a good reason. CMYK is the colour profile used in print – it stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. RGB is used on screens and consists of Red, Green, and Blue. Artworks with RGB colour space don't translate well to print, and you can get huge colour variations. Using the correct colour profile is absolutely essential if you want your printed materials to match your vision.

<AcademyDadJoke> Why don't RGB files work well in print? Because they're not ready for their CMYK-up! </AcademyDadJoke>

For more facts about CMYK and other colour profiles, read our blog article here.

Colour matching prints

Refining your Message#

When writing for print, you've got limited space and a lot to say. You need to be direct and inspiring while capturing attention and getting your message across. This isn't easy with space and time constraints. Start by understanding exactly who you're talking to. Write for the reader, not yourself. Include at least one unique selling point, and make your call to action crystal clear. This shows readers what they'll gain and what they need to do to get it.

If you're struggling with copy for your next flyer or poster, check out our blog article here.

fortune cookie

File Format#

How you supply your artwork affects how it looks when printed. PNG and GIF files are typically used on screen and use RGB colour profiles. As mentioned above, RGB files shouldn't be used for print because colours can shift. What's more, PNG files tend to blur when printed – making your final product look cheap. Print-ready PDFs are the way to go. When print-ready, your PDF's text converts to paths, the colour profile is correct, and you'll have all the necessary marks and bleeds. This makes life easier for the production team and reduces your stress.

To learn more about bleed and print-ready artwork, read more here.

File formats graphic

Talk to your Printer#

One way to ensure you're on track for your next large print run is simply talking to your printer. No one knows better than they do what they can produce and by when. Building an open, honest relationship with your printer opens the door to smooth communication. You can reach out whenever you think a problem might arise. Printulu's customer care line is available Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

woman talking on phone

Next time you're planning a print job, use these steps to reduce stress and stretch your budget. All the products mentioned above are available online at www.printulu.co.za. If you have questions or concerns, drop us a mail at support@printulu.co.za or contact us at (010) 593 0558 – our friendly customer care team will be happy to help.

Related Articles:

1. What are printing proofs and when best to use them?
2. Which delivery option is best for you?
3. Print Ready Artwork – An Easy Checklist

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