Ways to save money on your print job.

Welcome to our blog. In our first newsletter, we'd like to start by saying we're glad you visited this blog.

The purpose of this blog will be to educate marketing people, print brokers, and others about the printing process, so your end result is everything you expected it to be and more. We hope to post newsletters that will be helpful from our entire staff at Rey Nelson Printing as tools you can use.

How to Save Money on your Printing Project:

When preparing a print job, it is always best to have your finished size in a rectangular size or a size (not unlike buying a picture frame) that is "common" among paper sizes. If you are designing a book or brochure, the most economical sizes should finish at 8.5 x 11 or 5.5 x 8.5, or anything that is multiples of either of these sizes (ie. 11x17-22x17, 22x34, etc.) . For the best pricing, it will serve you well to make sure your book, brochure or project fits on common paper sizes. Remember a square book will waste paper and that is wasted money when it comes to a printing job!

Also, make sure your project is "design friendly". Use the common rules - - "if it looks like too much, it IS too much". Try to get to the point with simple designs that are pleasing to the eye and not too complicated. If you look at a McDonald's restaurant sign, you know instantly those Golden Arches mean there is a hamburger nearby. Not a complicated design - simple and to the point. (And they've done quite well for themselves).

When choosing a paper that your printing project will go on, stick (again) with simplicity. Many feel that they have to choose a linen finish or high end paper, when in reality a simple gloss, dull but mainly smooth finish will serve your project the best. Because printing is made up of screens and dots, the smoother the surface of the sheet, the better your printing project will look. Many think a textured paper (which is very expensive) is what will make their print job look the best, but in reality, the smoother the sheet of paper, the better your job will present itself. The clarity of pictures and type are much better on a smooth sheet.
and . . .Non-textured = SAVINGS!

Try to stick with four color process, instead of special ink mixes (pms colors) when designing. When printers have to order special ink colors, it will cost you extra money due to the ink costs and the press wash-up, which was inked up especially for YOUR print job. If you stick to four color process colors, the printer can go from your project to the next to the next. This is less expensive for the printer and you as a buyer.

Proof your work before sending your digital file to the printer. This will save you extra costs in corrections that you see after the job is ripped and proofed. Once you have looked over everything, then you can send it for final proofing to the printer.

Make sure you design or prepare you job for simple folds. Again, simplicity will put money in your pocket when preparing a print job. Fancy folding = fancy financing.

So the first lesson in preparing and doing a print project would be: SIMPLICITY PAYS!
Use these hints while preparing your job, and it will pay you back in a big way.

And , because most of the time you may not be in control of size, design, paper, colors, or folding- - do not forget to pass this information on to your clients or customers - - they will be loyal always to you for saving them costs and letting them feel apart of the printing process.

We hope this has helped you plan your next project.

Tune into our blog for more helpful hints and blogs about printing soon.

Thank you from all of us at REY NELSON PRINTING, INC.