Color Printing: More Tips from the Pros

by Judi Booker Online Researcher

Whether you’re having event invites, marketing materials or posters printed for your business, here are a few color printing tips you’ll want to follow for fantastic prints and photos:

Work in CMYK

If you’re going to take those poster designs to any of the local NYC printing companies, make sure you work in the CYMK ( cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black)) color space rather than the RGB (red, green, and blue). That’s going to make your life easier.

Go for the right resolution

Print files are typically big. Sending images in low-res is a mistake that amateurs make. Keep that in mind before you start sending that file. If you need a higher-quality reproduction, you’ll want to make sure you’re sending over photos in high-res.

Pick the right size

You should be particular about the size of the file you’re printing. If this is a poster print, then you could choose from the standard sizes of A2, A3 and A4. Picking out paper in the wrong size will mean extra work since you’ll need to trim it. It could also mess up the printing if there’s not enough space or the print turns out too small and unreadable because of the size of the paper.

Shop for the right paper

The kind of paper you’ll use will matter as well. Not sure what to pick? Go for a trustworthy company out of the many printing companies out there and ask the staff for help and advice. They should be able to guide you with your printing decisions. That way, you won’t end up making a costly mistake by choosing paper that’s entirely wrong for your poster print, party invite or advertising materials. Be sure to check the thickness of the paper as well.

Look for the right printer

The printer you choose will largely determine color accuracy for your prints. That’s why it’s smart to go to NYC printing companies that have a range of printing equipment and technologies to offer. While you could certainly buy your own printer, there are plenty of printing firms that provide premium services and images. If you want professional results, then look for a corporate and commercial printing service instead.

Ask about delivery
While print results are important, asking about delivery dates and times also matter especially if you’re on a tight deadline. Can the company get the images to you on time? If you have a distribution schedule to follow, you might want to make sure you have those materials printed in advance.

Get quotes
If you’re ready to look for the right printing partner, then look for companies that offer free quotes. If the company responds beyond the 24-48 time frame, that doesn’t speak well of the company’s responsiveness. You’ll be better off elsewhere.