Top 10 Tips for Ordering Custom Printed Products Online

By Paul E Punnett

Ordering custom printed products online has some unique challenges compared to most other online ordering. With custom printing, you are often dealing with uploading artwork, ink colors, papers choices, numbering, perforations, folds, and proofing, just to name a few. One missed detail can lead to a costly reprint. Here are 10 tips that can help make the process go smoothly.

Tip #1 - Request a paper sample. There are hundreds of choices of paper grades, colors, and weights. Just in the weights alone there is text, cover, tag, and bond weights. For example, carbonless form papers are available in 20lb,15lb, self contained, coated front, coated front and back, and just coated back. Confused? request a sample. For colors my "brilliant white" maybe your "bright white", so the only way to be sure if it's critical to the outcome of your printing project is to ask for a sample.

Tip #2 - Specify PMS ( Pantone matching system ) ink colors. If you request "ocean blue" there are at least 30 shades of blue that you may end up with. The Pantone Matching System assigns a number to every available ink color. Visit the support section of your online printers website or request a PDF Pantone matching color chart from your printer and pick a number that most closely represents the color your after.

Tip #3 - Understand Bleeds. When printing runs of the edge of the paper it is called a bleed. If your copy bleeds off all 4 edges a larger sheet of paper is required for printing. This is because printing presses need to "grip' the paper on one side to pull it through a press. One, two, or even three bleeds can sometimes be accomplished without using a larger sheet, depending on the copy. You will need to get this question answered before you order.

Tip #4 - Order the heaviest paper stock available for business cards. Business cards are typically run 12 up on a sheet. This means when you order 500 cards it only takes 42 sheets of paper to produce them... that's not much paper. Order the heaviest stock available to give you the best quality cards. Flimsy whimpy business cards give the impression that your cheap and have no confidence in what your selling.

Tip #5 - Get a Total cost - Avoid sites that charge setup fees, color washes, or add on for ink mixes. Take note that shipping is often calculated based on weight to your zip code during checkout not on pricing grids. If your supplying art you should not be paying for graphics work unless your file is not press ready. You also should not be paying for art if your job is an exact repeat of a previous printing.

Tip #6 - Look for layout templates. Templates are available for most commonly used forms and are often customizable. Carbonless forms standard formats that can easily be tweaked to your specifications.

Tip #7 - Request a proof. Always request an email proof before printing any new project. This is your opportunity to double check that your art file was uploaded properly without errors. At the proofing stage you can still make corrections to copy, color separations, numbering position etc

Tip #8 - Look over proofs closely. Even if your proofing your own file, things can change during the upload download process. Don't assume anything, check fonts, leading, and punctuation.

Tip #9 - Make Art files "press ready". If you provided a scan, fax copy, or a screen shot of what you want printed those images which include jpeg, gifs, and tiffs are considered low resolution. The preferred file format is a high resolution PDF. If necessary, having your art reset by your online printer is a good option. You'll find the fee is minimal compared to the time it will take you to reset your project and educate yourself on proper file formats.

Tip #10 - Pay attention to packaging instructions. Do you need shrink wrapping, banding, or just boxed loose? Do you want packages of 50 or 100? If ordering carbonless books does one carbon copy remain in the book? Folded or flat? low number on top? envelope flaps folded or open? Are carbonless forms padded or booked? When ordering carbon copy forms or duplicate forms do you want the image to appear on all parts? Be as specific as you can or you may be disappointed with the finished project.

Following these tips should help make your next online printing project ordering experience successful.

Paul Punnett is the production manager for Printlink.

Let us be your online print shop for your next printing project. It's as easy as 123, upload your art, we print, we ship.

Please visit my website @ http://www.printlinkonline.com

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