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Client Tips to Save Time + Money on Designs



5 Tips for a Smoother Design Process
When it comes to working with a graphic designer or print provider, a little preparation can go a long way. Whether you're creating a banner, flyer, or full campaign, the way you communicate your vision can dramatically impact turnaround time, cost, and final results. By providing clear, complete, and organized information up front, you're setting your designer—and your project—up for success. These simple but effective tips will help streamline the design process, reduce revisions, and ultimately save you money on graphic design fees.

TIP #1:  PROVIDE ALL RELEVANT PROJECT INFORMATION UPFRONT
  • If you have a template, sample or even a photograph of what you are trying to achieve, share it with your designer. 

  • If you have examples of styles, layouts, font, colors or images to guide the overall look and feel of your project, share it with your designer. 

  • If you have any sort of brand identity or guidelines, share it with your designer. 

All of these details help guide the design process, please don't leave your designer in the dark. Guiding your art department from the very start of the project and you'll save both time and design fees.  We can't read minds and we want to make your dreams a reality. 

TIP #2: GIVE CLEAR DIRECTIONS AND BE ORGANIZED

It goes without saying, but one giant folder with a hundred assets meant for 4 different project pieces with no labels = huge time killer. Trust us, the last thing you want is your designer guessing where you intended for things to be used.  Even if it seems obvious, label it, break it down into a folder hierarchy, etc. 

If you've decided to follow your designer's lead and are handing over 'creative control' - just let them know. If you're giving a designer free reign, but need it to follow a simple rule or two then provide them with a framework. 

For example: a 6' x 4' banner is needed for a company picnic at an amusement park, place our logo prominently, make it fun and uplifting for families, please incorporate our company colors somewhere.

TIP #3: PROVIDE ALL TEXT, EXACTLY AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT DISPLAYED

If you want your phone number to be displayed with periods between numbers, instead of dashes, send it to your designer that way. 

If you want something capitalized or abbreviated or spelled out, send it to your designer that way. 

By presenting your information exactly as you expect it to appear in your design, it'll prevent additional rounds of edits, helping avoid potential delays and saving additional design fees. This simple step helps eliminate the guesswork of your designer attempting to predict what you intended. 

TIP #4: DON'T RELY ON OTHERS TO CATCH SPELLING + PUNCTUATION MISTAKES

Designers and printers both handle a wide variety of different types of clients and projects each and every day, it would be nearly impossible to read everything that comes across our desks. Also, we're not familiar with your industry acronyms or product offerings. We do our best to learn on the fly and gain a general understanding of your needs, products, etc. but we rely on the customer to be the real expert on the subject. 

Of course, if we do happen to catch a potential mistake, we'll reach out to you right away - after all, we want you to look your very best!

TIP #5: SPREAD THE (PROOF) LOVE

Proofs are provided to allow one last look at the project, just before it's sent to press.  After receiving a proof, you should take the time to review it backwards and forwards in a calm and quiet environment, where you are able to focus and carefully review it. 

We suggest sharing the proof (love) with others, i.e. colleagues, teammates, interns, even people who are somewhat unfamiliar with the project - they may be able to spot a spelling error or other obvious mistake that would otherwise go overlooked. It's easy to miss obvious mistakes after you've looked at the same project over and over again - you begin to see what should be there, instead of what is actually there. Share the proof love with someone who can offer you the invaluable perspective of 'fresh eyes' before it's sent to press. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Great design is a collaborative effort, and the smoother the collaboration, the better the outcome. By sharing detailed project information, staying organized, delivering final text exactly as it should appear, and carefully reviewing proofs, you not only avoid unnecessary edits and delays - you also empower your designer to deliver their best work efficiently. A thoughtful, well-prepared project saves time, minimizes cost, and leads to a polished final product you can be proud of.