Common Print Problems & How To Avoid Them

Picture this.

You’ve spent hours perfecting your design. After choosing the colours, the paper, and the finish, you eagerly await the arrival of your printed masterpiece.

But when the box arrives, you're met with a disappointing surprise – the colours are off, the images are blurry, or the text is misaligned. You’ll need to print another run.

Printing problems can be frustrating and expensive. The good news? Many issues can be easily avoided with a little know-how.

In this blog, we'll uncover the most common print problems and ensure you know how to avoid them!

Common Print Problems And Solutions

Printing projects can run into issues that cause quality issues. These issues can cause delays in distribution and cost money to sort out.

Here’s our guide to common printing problems and how to prevent them from happening in the first place…‍

‍

Colour Issues

The Problem

The colours in the printed piece don't match the design on the screen.

The Cause

This is an easy one to get wrong but simple to prevent. The discrepancy in colours is often caused by differences in colour modes.

Digital screens, where we see our ready-to-print design, use RGB, or red, green and blue. Most printers use a different colour mode - CMYK, or cyan, magenta, yellow and key/black. RGB colours mix in a different way than CMYK colours, so when printed, the colours don’t match up to what is on the screen.‍

The Solution

Always design in CMYK mode and use a calibrated monitor for accurate colour representation.

For important projects where the colours need to be exact, request a colour proof from your printer. This might add time to a job, it will add additional costs, but it ensures that colour accuracy is achieved.

Blurry Images

The Problem

The images in the printed piece appear pixelated or blurry.

The Cause

Low-resolution images are usually to blame for this issue.

Images are made up of lots of tiny dots of colour, and the ones we see used on social media and websites are usually around 72 dpi, or dots per inch.

Print quality, on the other hand, requires a minimum of 300 dpi. This means that images intended for web use aren’t high enough quality for print, and this leads to visible pixelation and blurriness.

A note on file format: Image formats also matter. JPEG images are widely used and usually suitable for print (if of a high enough resolution). PNG images, however, don’t print well in CMYK because they are optimised for digital screens.

The Solution

Use high-resolution images of at least 300 dpi for print projects and ensure they’re saved in appropriate formats, like JPEG or TIFF. Don’t be tempted to use PNGs or other web-optimised formats - they are designed for screens and can come out looking washed-out, blurry and off-colour.

Font Problems

The Problem

Fonts are missing, look different from your artwork, or appear distorted in the printed piece.

The Cause

Font files need to be properly embedded into the data of your print file. If not, the printer may replace them with a different font that looks different or print as-is, and the font distorts.

This issue can also occur when you use Photoshop and other bitmap-based software. This is because the font becomes converted into pixel format by Photoshop, rather than using the original vector data of the font.

The Solution

Ensure all fonts are embedded in your print file before sending your final design. Most design software enables you to do this or to outline your text, which prevents our system from replacing it. If embedding is simply not possible, email your font files to your printer instead.

If you’ve downloaded fonts from a website, ensure you use ones with commercial licenses.

Bleed Issues

The Problem

There are white edges along the borders of your print instead of the colour or imagery that should extend to the edge of the page.

The Cause

The bleed is the area that extends beyond the design’s final size so that it can be cut cleanly. This issue occurs when the design either doesn't have a bleed, or the bleed size is insufficient, meaning any slight shift in cutting alignment results in those pesky white edges.

The Solution

Add a 3mm bleed to all sides of your design to avoid ending up with white edges. Backgrounds, images and patterns should all be extended into the bleed area so that the entire surface is covered by your print once it has been trimmed.

Typos And Missing Info

The Problem

Spelling mistakes and missing contact information are more common than you might think!

The Cause

When you’re designing something, it's easy to overlook written errors because you’re so focused on the visuals. This can lead to critical text issues like forgetting to add a phone number or an obvious typo.

The Solution

Check and check again! Proofreading is a must when it comes to preventing typos and missing information, and outsourcing this to someone else who hasn't been involved in the design can provide a new perspective.

Try printing a test version using your office or home printer, too. This makes it easier to spot mistakes. Reading text backwards is also said to help spot errors!

Paper Issues

The Problem

Using an inappropriate paper type can impact the quality - and the feel - of the final product.

The Cause

Different papers have different qualities. Paper type, weight and texture all contribute to the aesthetics and strength of your final product.

For example, opting for thin paper for business cards or highly textured paper that doesn’t support your design well takes away from the quality of your print. This can reduce its durability and make it appear less professional.

The Solution

Requesting samples from your printer can help you to carefully consider which paper products will suit your project.

Thicker, heavier stock is your go-to for business cards and promotional goods, whereas thinner high-quality paper tends to be a good choice for flyers. Ask your printer for advice if you’re not sure what to go for.

Finishing Errors

The Problem

Your final product features mistakes like improper folding, cutting or binding. These issues make your product look unprofessional and render it unfit for purpose.

The Cause

Finishing errors typically result from two things; incorrect or unclear specifications, and a lack of communication with your printer.

As a result, folds may not align as expected, cuts may shift, and bindings might not work as they’re supposed to, affecting both the appearance and functionality of your printed product.

The Solution

When you’re discussing your needs with your printer, provide a clear and detailed account of how you want your product to feel, look and operate. Before you start designing, ask your printer for a template - and make sure you stick to it!

Once your design is complete, ensure both parties have a full understanding of your vision before signing everything off, and request a mock-up or sample before approving the full print run to confirm that you’re happy with the final product.

With these tips, you can avoid the common pitfalls that derail printing projects and achieve a polished, professional final product. Consult with your printer as often as needed - their expertise can be invaluable, helping you to avoid missteps and produce high-quality print materials every time.

Bell Graphics: Your Printing Partner

At Bell Graphics, we're committed to helping you avoid printing problems and achieve the best possible results.

Our experienced pre-press team carefully checks your files for potential printing issues and provides guidance to ensure your print project runs smoothly. We maintain strict quality control standards throughout the printing process to ensure your final product meets your expectations. We do not however check your spelling, phone numbers or email and web address!

From managing colour modes to embedding fonts and adding bleed, we’re here to help you navigate each step of the process. Our team are dedicated to excellence, giving you complete peace of mind that we will deliver quality, precision and gold-standard customer care.

Printing Success Made Simple

Printing is a detailed process, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. By understanding the common causes of printing problems, you can take proactive steps to prevent them and ensure your print projects are successful.

Want to achieve the printed materials of your dreams? Partner with Bell Graphics for expert guidance, professional tools and unparalleled quality control at every stage of your printing project. Get in touch today.

‍