Getting the Color Right Is Important
Comprehensive are shown to clients and potential employers. Get them right.
Printing comprehensive can get expensive if you are just learning how RGB colors translates to CMYK. Looking great on your monitor and setting your Photoshop file to CMYK is not going to give you great color when you print. Its the old additive versus subtractive color issue.
If you don’t know how to compensate for this difference before you print, you will be surprised at the dark murky and even “missing” colors on the print.
Don’t Get Color Surprises
My solution:
Print out a color chart reference guide. You get an accurate look at what your neighborhood printer (i.e. staples) will produce for you. You can always tweek your project for a professional printer later. But at least you will be in the same ballpark range of the color you want.
The pdf version I plan to print out.
Paper Size and Cropping Matters
Don’t go cheap and print your comprehensive out at 8×11 and hope your client can read the micro-mini typography. If your client can’t see a key element of your design then you are wasting your time and theirs.
What works for me:
- Print black and white when you go big and provide a smaller color proof.
- Print it in pieces if its too big.
- Learn to export with your crop marks and cut your work to size. (remember to send your work to the printer on one standard paper size bigger than your crop marks and bleeds.)
What other tips do you have for impressing clients but keeping comprehensive hassle free?
