Design Tips
Read the design tips below to ensure you receive the best quality products...
1. Ask your Camelot Rep
We can often recommend cost-cutting tips on your specific project, especially if you discuss your project in detail with us.
2. Give us your images in digital format and logos in a VECTOR format
Photographs that need to be scanned and color corrected cost time and money. Try to provide us with digital HI RESOLUTION images (see our RESOURCE CENTER to learn about High Resolution images). Use a royalty free photo site to get photos (such as 123rf.com or shutterstock.com). These sites are cheaper (sometimes as little as $1 an image) than using a photographer and offer 1000’s of images. Our designers will sometimes look through these sites to find images taking up valuable time that you pay for. Ask your rep about what sites are the best .DO NOT GIVE US FILES FROM THE WEB.Just because they look good on screen does NOT mean they will print well. (Photo files under 1MB are usually a good indication that the file is low res.)
You have probably heard the term "VECTOR" but you are not sure what it means. Vector means a logo was created in an illustration program like Adobe Ilustrator and saved usually as an .eps file. This is the best form to supply. If your company or designer is providing a logo for you, ask for an eps file. JPG's are NOT vector files but we can sometimes utilize them if they are high resolution files. AGAIN, DO NOT GIVE US FILES FROM THE WEB.
3. Give us your text digitally and unformatted
First impressions are everything in business, and a poorly designed logo, business card, promotional signage, etc, can reflect poorly on you and your business. Often we use style sheets and when text has been formatted in Word or the like it takes time to remove the formatting. Digital text also cuts down on typos (but make sure you proof your own work first).
4. Maintain a consistent look
Even if you're only designing one piece now, will you be printing more like it? Coming up with the initial design takes the most time for a graphic designer. Once a look has been established, most graphic designers can whip up additional pieces at a fraction of the time with the original look.
Printing Tips
1. Print everything at once
Plan your projects in advance and print all the elements at one time.This can save money on set-up costs.
2. Use standard sizes and standard ink colors
Not only will this keep your print costs down, but using standard sizes could also lower your mailing costs. Not sure what standard inks are? For example, standard PMS colors are Reflex Blue, Pro Blue, Yellow, Red, Green and others. (Full color work does not apply.)
3. Less is more: colors
In many cases, two-color projects can be equally as effective as full color. A skilled graphic designer can make a two-color piece pop. And, two-color pieces are SOMETIMES much cheaper to print.
4. Plan it all out in advance
Think about how you're going to use the piece before you print or design it. For instance, if you're mailing a folded piece, make sure the fold is on the bottom or it will cost more to process. A self-mailer can save you money, but is it sending the right message to your customers? We can provide you with more ideas depending on your individual project.
5. Setting up your own file? Consult with us first
Usually big savings is just a matter of a correct file. Make sure your file uses high resolution images, has proper bleed, and is sent to us as a high resolution PDF. Need to make a PDF? See our RESOURCE CENTER.
Don't be afraid to ask questions or gather information about your specific situation. A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF FILES WE RECEIVE HAVE MINOR ISSUES. Again, go to the RESOURCE CENTER and check out some of the most common mistakes and how you can avoid them.
6. LASTLY, BUT MOST IMPORTANT...REVIEW THE PROOF WE SEND YOU AS THOUGH IT IS THE FIRST TIME YOU ARE SEEING IT.
This is often one of the easiest mistakes to avoid. When you get a PROOF from us, review the content. Read it thouroughly and meticulously. Don't assume it is correct even if it is just the simplest change. NOTE: Digital PROOFS WILL NOT REFLECT TRUE PRINTED COLOR. See our RESOURCE CENTER.