As you begin any design project, whether it be a simple brochure or a trade show booth, it can be helpful to keep in mind this quote from Benjamin Franklin:

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

Ensuring a successful project that is delivered on time and on budget requires being proactive and making a plan. As a senior designer and project manager at Dever Designs with experience handling a wide variety of projects, I’ve outlined some tips below to help you stay on track.

The Early Bird Gets the Worm

It’s best to involve your design firm as early as possible. Keep in mind that the time needed for planning, design, and production is directly related to the scope of the project. Designing a single brochure can have a fairly quick turnaround, whereas developing branding and exhibit pieces for a large conference could take over a year. So start the conversation with your design firm in advance so that they can help you outline, conceive and manage the project.

Outline the Parameters of Your Project Up Front
We try to make sure we slow a client down and help them to define the project parameters up front. If clients decide to change direction halfway through, it can quickly blow the budget. Because, after all, time is money.

Make Sure All Major Stakeholders are Involved at the Get-Go
A big part of a project’s success lies in making sure all the major stakeholders are involved from the start. Is everyone on board with the project goals? Have all of the major players reviewed and approved the copy? If everyone on the train is not aligned from the start, it can lead to a major project derailment farther down the tracks.

Create a Realistic Timeline
To help keep the project moving along, it’s important to create a realistic timeline that you’ll follow from beginning to end. Inevitably, you’ll run into hiccups along the way, so try to build in a little padding anywhere you can. For example, if the printer needs 10 days to deliver a piece, schedule at least 14 days, just in case it comes down to the wire.

Stop and Think
Your project is going to involve many pieces, and while you don’t have to have the specifics, we help you clarify the project’s parameters and gather all the necessary elements. For example, have you thought about what type of photography and/or illustration will be incorporated? If you are using photos, are they of a high enough quality to translate well to print? If your project incorporates outside advertisers, do they have their artwork prepared and is it usable? It’s good to have as much of this lined up as you can at the start of the project.

Have Regularly Scheduled Updates
It’s important that both the client and the design firm know where they are with the project timeline at all times. To conduct these updates, it’s best to have one point of contact on the design side and one contact on the client side who regularly interact. Ongoing, constant communication will be a key factor in your project’s success.

Interested in talking to Dever Designs about your upcoming project? We have so many more tips and feedback to offer from our decades of experience in the field. Feel free to visit us at deverdesigns.com or call 301-776-2812 to speak with a designer.

It’s just ink on paper. What could be so hard about that?

As a senior graphic designer and project manager with years of experience under my belt, let me be the first to tell you that nothing about the printing process and choosing the right printer is quite that simple.

The good news is that whether you allow Dever Designs to select one of our trusted vendors for your project or you choose your own printer, being prepared and proactively planning ahead will make the process easier and increase your likelihood for success.

Figure out what you want
Step one in determining the best vendor for your print project involves determining exactly what it is you’re looking for. By defining and outlining the parameters of your project up front, you’ll be that much closer to selecting the right printer for the job.

As you think about the specifics of your job, these are some questions you may want to ask:

• How many copies will be printed?
• When do they need to be distributed?
• How will your content be distributed? Will it be mailed, or handed out at a trade show?
• Is this a one-time piece, or does it require a shelf life?
• How complex is the project? Does it require special techniques such as foil stamping or a die cut? Hint: if your project is more complex in nature, you will want it to go to a higher-end printer to ensure a successful outcome.
• How sophisticated is your audience? If your collateral is for a board of directors or an advocate on Capitol Hill, quality will be essential.

All paper is not created equal
Choosing the right paper sets the appropriate tone for your project. Since you’ve already outlined the parameters of your project, you’ll know whether you’re creating a media kit that needs to be able to endure some wear and tear or a postcard that won’t have a long shelf life. Depending on your needs, you may want a heavier paper stock for an evergreen piece. You’ll also need to determine if you want coated or uncoated paper. Uncoated paper is easy to write on and can convey an eco-friendly feel, while coated paper will make your photos pop. The prices and options for paper stock vary greatly, so you’ll want to do your research and see samples.

There’s no such thing as too much lead time
If there’s anything I can emphasize that will help make sure you end up with a beautifully printed piece, it is to allow as much lead time as possible. Whether you’re looking to design and print a piece or it’s ready for press, advance notice is essential. We recommend a minimum of one month’s notice to design and print a simple piece, but planning early gives us time to consider more options, offer better solutions to meet your needs and helps to avoid costly errors or omissions. If you have an annual event, you are advised to come to us as much as a year in advance to set the wheels in motion. Printers are busy folks, and they need to have lead time to set up their presses and staff to run your job.

For the DIYers
If you are selecting a printer on your own, we offer the following advice:

• We recommend obtaining three quotes. Make sure each printer is presented with exactly the same project specifications.
• Do your homework—get samples and recommendations from those you trust.
• Look for an atmosphere of customer service. Are they happy to work with you and make necessary tweaks for the benefit of your project?
• You get what you pay for. Cheaper doesn’t always mean the best value. It’s all about choosing the right vendor.

At Dever Designs, we know the printing process inside and out and have established successful relationships with a variety of vendors. Don’t hesitate to contact us with your questions or to talk to us about your next project! To see some of our work, click here. Visit us at deverdesigns.com or call us at 301-776-2812.