You’re getting ready to design and print your booklet, and you’re wondering, Is there anything I need to know before I get started? We’re so glad you asked. Check out our top booklet printing tips to ensure that your final printed booklet is everything you envisioned.
1) Keep It Clean-Cut.
We see a lot of different projects at Kaizen Print, and there’s no question that design has a lot to do with the marketability of each printing project. While we encourage you to make design decisions that truly make the booklet your own, there are three key words we recommend following when it comes to type, layout, and even content: Keep. It. Simple. Avoid overly distracting or off-putting features like crammed text, too many typefaces, or busy layouts that distract your readers. Simplicity keeps your audience focused and interested.
2) Stay Consistent…Most of the Time
The color schemes and fonts you choose will only go as far as your booklet’s layout. Our recommendation is to choose a core layout design and stay consistent from booklet to booklet, which will help you build a recognisable brand image. Just don’t make the mistake of being too consistent within each booklet – too much predictability can bore your readers. By sprinkling a few unexpected layouts or backgrounds throughout your booklet, you’ll keep your audience engaged and turning the page.
3) Stay in the Booklet Printing Zone
Keep in mind as you design your booklet that printing presses aren’t able to print right to the edge of the paper – pages are printed larger and then cut to your specified finished size. For that reason, there are two printing zones you need to know about: the bleed and the safe design zone.
The Bleed – Before you begin your actual design, you’ll want to set your pages up with an additional bleed on all four sides. This is the portion that will be cut off before we bind your booklet.
The Safe Design Zone – In addition to the bleed, you’ll want to allow for an additional 1/8 inch of space between your bleed line and critical text & graphics. This assures that nothing is cut off during printing.
BOOKLET DECISIONS
4) Choosing the Best Booklet Size
We know you’re putting a ton of thought into your booklet, and there’s certainly a lot to consider including the booklet’s size. Making this choice essentially comes down to three key elements:
Usefulness –Your audience should be a top priority when deciding on the best size for your booklet. While printing costs and brand image are important, you don’t want to make these decisions at the expense of your booklet’s readers; ultimately, their impressions are what matter the most. Take a user-friendly approach and consider what will be most beneficial to your audience. For example, if you’re printing a catalog, a smaller booklet won’t showcase your products as well as a larger booklet.
Cost – Cost is a top priority for most of our clients – unless you’re working with a generous budget and/or have a very specific reason for unique sizing, why pay extra for extra large sizes? Save money by going with a standard size.
5) Color vs. Black Ink: Which Is Best for Your Booklet?
When it comes to selecting color versus black ink, it really comes down to whether color is more beneficial for your purposes than the cost-effectiveness of going with black ink. Color has a dramatic impact on readers and is a huge component to their initial impression of your booklet. If your goal is to boost product sales or readership, color is the best choice. On the other hand, if your booklet is mostly informational text, such as a product manual and there’s no tangible advantage to color ink, consider the cost-saving benefits of black ink.
6) Choosing the Best Online Printer
You’re most likely searching for an online printing company that offers exceptional quality at the lowest possible price – we like your priorities! The online printer you choose can make or break your booklet. But with a little research, you can find the online booklet printing company of your dreams.
The search can be a little overwhelming, since most online printing companies will naturally advertise their booklet printing prowess or amazing low prices. But don’t just take their word for it. Get a quote, ask for samples, and look for strong testimonials and reviews.
