By now, most people know that the best press-ready materials don’t originate from designs in PowerPoint. However, you may still be left scratching your head when you think you’ve done everything right. But the final products don’t match the proofs. Seriously. And: Why?!

Color matching on all print materials must prove successful to ensure strong brand integrity. You would notice if Coca-Cola switched a shade over from their iconic red. The original red is three different shades and came from a time in the ’90s when the company painted the barrels of Coca-Cola bottles so that tax agents could tell them apart from alcohol during shipping. The color would later inspire the pop artworks of Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol.

So, for over 30 years, every designer that the brand has used always has had to match that iconic color from proofs to final product. Yes, movements and sustainable brands are made by getting one color right. The stakes are high and rightfully so.Continue Reading..

Is sustainable packaging the new enemy of print experts?

Color management can be a challenge at the best of times. Introduce a new variable like sustainable packaging into the mix, and brand color consistency suddenly becomes even more complicated.

After all, how a color shows up on a specific type of material is going to vary. That seems obvious enough. But knowing that colors look different on different materials doesn’t necessarily solve the problem.

For print experts, brand color consistency isn’t just the goal anymore – it’s a requirement. So, here are several steps you can take to ensure you’re ready for any challenge that comes your way.Continue Reading..

So, is G7 certification what you need?

Companies tend to be quite particular about their branding elements — especially colors. So, when you’re producing print materials for your clients, the pressure is on. And, you want to ensure that all materials are as close to perfect as they can be.

But what can you do to create consistency in the finished products you produce?

Are you in the business of helping companies strengthen their brand? Do you help them achieve visual similarity across printing processes? Then the G7 certification is for you.

So, what is the G7 certification? How can it help you in your career? Read on.Continue Reading..

Print quality standards are essential. But how do you maintain consistency from start to finish?

Printing typically begins with the design process. This being the starting point, getting it right is crucial. Careful attention needs to be paid to color, design elements, formatting and positioning and so on.

Then, the proofing begins. This isn’t to say that the pros don’t check all designs before a large run. But it is always a good idea to inspect what you expect and check the accuracy of the design quality.

After proofing, printing can start. This is where you would print the exact number of copies you or your client need. Sometimes, this is done in-house. Depending on the job or the tools available to you, you may outsource this process.

Finally, there’s the delivery. This is where the pros pass collateral to your client or the people who are going to be using it.

Ensuring accuracy at every stage is essential to meeting print quality standards.Continue Reading..