Photo by 2H Media
Few things frustrate clients and printers more than missed deadlines—and most delays don’t happen at the press. They start during design. Mistakes in artwork preparation, file setup, and formatting can cause print jobs to stall, reprint, or miss launch dates entirely. Whether you’re working on flyers, packaging, apparel, or promotional goods, getting your design right the first time is critical.
At Kawaii Labs Corporate, we’ve seen it all. This article explores the most common design mistakes in printing and how to prevent them, so your orders run on time and on point.
Improper Bleed and Safe Zones
One of the most frequent errors is failing to set proper bleed and safe zones. Bleed ensures that background colours or images extend beyond the trim edge, avoiding ugly white borders. Safe zones keep essential content—like logos or text—away from the edge where trimming occurs.
Solution: Add 3mm bleed on all sides, and keep important content at least 5mm inside the trim line. Always use a professional template from your printer to get it right.
Low-Resolution Images
Designs that look sharp on screen may print blurry if the resolution is too low. Many designers mistakenly use 72 DPI web graphics in print layouts. For professional results, 300 DPI is the standard.
Solution: Use high-resolution images (300 DPI or higher) at the correct print size. Avoid scaling up small images, which can pixelate when printed.
RGB Instead of CMYK Colour Mode
RGB colours are for screens, not print. Sending artwork in RGB can result in unexpected colour shifts because printers use CMYK ink.
Solution: Always convert your files to CMYK before exporting. Soft-proof your design to see how colours will shift, especially with neon or vivid tones.
Missing or Embedded Fonts
When fonts aren’t embedded or outlined, your text may default to a system font or not show at all. This is especially problematic with custom typefaces or brand fonts.
Solution: Convert all fonts to outlines (for vector files like AI or EPS), or embed them when saving PDFs. This ensures your typography prints exactly as designed.
Incorrect File Formats
Sending files in the wrong format can delay print approval. JPEGs may lose quality, and Word or PowerPoint files are rarely print-ready.
Solution: Use print-appropriate file types such as PDF, AI, EPS, or high-res TIFF. Flatten layers, embed images, and confirm your file matches the printer’s specs.
No Print-Ready Proof or Mockup
Submitting a design without a mockup or proof leaves room for error in positioning, scaling, or folding (for packaging and brochures).
Solution: Provide a digital proof or physical mockup if possible. Annotate your file with clear instructions for folds, die-cuts, or finishes.
Overuse of Black or Rich Black Misuse
Designers often create deep blacks by layering multiple CMYK values. But this can lead to ink saturation issues and muddy prints.
Solution: Use standard black (K=100) for small text. For large dark areas, use rich black (e.g. C=60 M=40 Y=40 K=100) if your printer approves it. Never over-ink.
Failing to Account for Finishes or Materials
Designs that look great on white paper may not translate well to textured surfaces, dark garments, or substrates like kraft boxes or metal signage.
Solution: Match your design to the print material. Consider how colours and detail will behave on different surfaces, and adjust contrast or layout accordingly.
Forgetting to Include Cut or Fold Lines
When your print job includes custom shapes, folds, or perforations, failing to show these clearly in the file delays production.
Solution: Use vector paths and separate layers for cut lines, fold marks, and perforations. Label each clearly in the file and confirm technical specs with the printer.
Last-Minute Changes Without Preflight
Making last-minute edits without rechecking the full file often introduces issues like shifted alignment, broken links, or missing assets.
Solution: Always perform a final preflight check before submitting. Use your design software’s packaging or collect-for-output feature to ensure all links, fonts, and elements are included.
Print Delay = Brand Delay
Delays in print can cause missed product launches, late event materials, or wasted marketing spend. Worse, it reflects poorly on your brand’s professionalism. At Kawaii Labs Corporate, we help you avoid these mistakes by offering file checks, templates, and one-on-one design support for our clients.
A great design is more than aesthetics—it’s functional, precise, and production-ready.
Before sending your next print order, triple-check the details. Doing so will keep your project—and your brand—on track.
