How to save yourself time, hassle and money on your next print job (and avoid reprints)

Printing doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, but small oversights can increase costs or timelines. Our sales and prepress teams have seen firsthand how print jobs can be delayed by days due to small details that need to be clarified through back-and-forth emails before production can begin.

In our experience, the easiest way to save money on a print job (and on time) is to catch common issues early. Here are a few simple steps we suggest, that can help your job move smoothly through production and avoid unnecessary fixes later.

Proofread and spell-check everything carefully

Taking the time to double-check spelling, dates, phone numbers, and addresses before submitting artwork can help avoid costly reprints. Having a second set of eyes review the file is often a good idea.

Confirm the finished size early

The final size of a printed piece affects layout, pricing, and how it’s produced.

Changing the size later in the process can mean reworking artwork or restarting setup, which can add time and cost. Confirming the size upfront helps keep things efficient.

Share timelines early

Providing a clear timeline helps keep your print job on track.

When you tell us when you need the finished job in hand, our production team can schedule materials, staff, and press time appropriately. A clear timeline helps you avoid rush charges, production conflicts, and last-minute changes.

It’s also important to include a final artwork deadline in your timeline. When you send print-ready files by the agreed date, we can start production on schedule and prevent delays that could affect delivery.

If you’re unsure how much time to allow, our team at Bond can help you build a realistic schedule based on your project scope and finishing requirements.

Confirm the quantity

Quantity impacts production methods, timelines, and pricing.

Adjusting quantities after production has started may require additional setup or reprints. Locking this detail in early helps avoid surprises.

Use print-ready artwork

Print-ready files help production start smoothly and reduce the risk of issues during printing.

Experienced graphic designers know how to set up artwork for print, including correct sizing, resolution, colour settings, and trim space. When you prepare files properly from the start, you help prevent delays, revisions, and potential reprints.

If you don’t have a designer or you’re unsure whether your files are print-ready, our art department can help. We can review your artwork, make the necessary adjustments, or prepare print-ready files for you. That way, you don’t have to manage the technical details, and you can feel confident about the final result.

Asking for help early is often the easiest way to save time, reduce stress, and avoid unexpected costs later in the process.

Allow space for trimming (bleed)

To produce clean, even edges, printed pieces need a small amount of extra space around the outside that will be trimmed away after printing.

When this space isn’t included, files often need to be adjusted before production can begin, which can slow things down or lead to reprints. Including it from the start helps ensure the final piece looks polished and prints as intended.

If you’re unsure whether your artwork includes this, it’s something we can easily check or help prepare before printing.

Share finishing details upfront

Paper choice, folding, binding, or other finishing options all affect how a job is produced.

Providing these details early helps avoid last-minute changes that can increase costs or cause delays.

Final Thought

Most print issues aren’t caused by the printing itself, they’re caused by small details that get missed early on.

Clear communication at the start of a project helps avoid reprints, reduces back-and-forth, and keeps print jobs on budget. And if you’re ever unsure about any part of the process, asking early is always the easiest way to save time-and money.

Working with experienced professionals in print services, can help ensure files are prepared correctly and your projects stay on budget.

Ready to start planning your next print project? Connect with our team!

FAQs