10 Essential Tips in Creating Print Design

Final product image — What You'll Be Creating

Have you been wondering how you can take your print design materials to the next level? In this article, we give you ten great tips to take your design to print.

What Is Print Design?

Print design is a branch of the graphic design industry focusing on printed materials. That includes magazines, book covers, packaging, business cards, flyers, brochures, and anything that ends in a tangible printed product.

Before starting a project, make sure you have all the necessary information you need. Will you be working from a template or are you creating the design from zero? Are there brand guidelines you need to follow? Are the images provided optimal for printing? Are there any color limits? Double and triple-check the page size and ask what the final deliverables will be.

There are several basic key aspects to keep in mind when designing for print. Creating a file for printing has its own specific settings that, if not done properly, can have terrible consequences and result in wasted time and money. The basics are making sure that all print files have a CMYK format and are set at 300 DPI. Just as important is using appropriate bleeds and margins to ensure perfect printing.

Having a good relationship with your professional printer is a bonus—they are knowledgeable especially when it comes to packaging and custom sizes. Keep in communication with them as they can help you out when you can’t find an answer to your problem. As you send files to press, you can ask printers for proofs. These are great to make sure the design, color, and format are what you need. Proofs give you one last chance to change anything that might look off and to check the spelling. If you are working with heavy copy, have a second set of eyes or, even better, a copy editor to proofread the project.

Print design covers a wide range of printed pieces. If you are new to InDesign, this article covers some great tips you can follow to create some awesome projects. If you are just getting started with InDesign and can’t quite figure it out yet, don’t stress! We’ve got amazing InDesign brochure templates and InDesign flyer templates over at Envato Elements and GraphicRiver. Go check them out!

1. Apply Grid Systems

Grid systems are one of the elements in design that go unnoticed because they are mostly behind the scenes. Whether you are designing one or hundreds of pages, a grid system is essential in developing a layout. Grids can help you position text and images so that the page will look polished and clean.

The structure is made up of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines. It doesn't end there—if you want to add complexity to your page, try adding angular or curved lines. There are no strict rules as to what is and what isn't a grid. That's the beauty of design—as a designer, you can create your own grid. As long as you follow it throughout a project, you will create clean pages.

Take a look at the designs of Josef Müller-Brockmann for the ultimate inspiration. Or check out this template below. The designer created a four-column grid which they smartly used to lay out the elements on the poster.

Many designers think that grids are a synonym for constraints. While lines can appear to be limits, it is up to your creativity to work around them. Grids are open to plenty of options for us to play with.

For instance, let's take a look at this InDesign template. The designer used the grid as if they were using multiple layers on the document. This superimposed playful layout creates depth while keeping the page clean and minimalist.

Check out this Bauhaus poster tutorial in InDesign to create an awesome angular layout. If you'd like to learn more about creating InDesign layout templates, take a look at this article. We break down the essential elements to create your own templates.

2. Layer It Up

Gone are the days when layouts were simply flat. Print design has come a long way, and with the help of grids, we've started creating multi-layered layouts. We are not talking about the InDesign layers panel but the layered elements on a page. Images over colored backgrounds, type over images, graphics over type, etc. The juxtaposition of elements adds carefully measured playfulness.

There are a few questions you need to ask yourself when creating a multi-layered document. If you happen to be working with heavy content, ask yourself if it's legible. It all comes down to legibility, so if the copy is difficult to read, you might try choosing a lighter background like the one in the InDesign template below.

Type over imagery is one of the easiest ways to apply multiple layers. Make sure the colors on the content and the colors of the image aren't mixing to the point of illegibility. Ask yourself if it makes sense for the medium you are working in. If you are choosing to play with type over images, apply it throughout the design. Some people might think the decision was a mistake, so make it obvious.

Take a look at this InDesign catalog template, featuring type over images throughout the layout.

How to Make an InDesign Catalog Template

Grace Fussell

19 Jan 2023

3. Back to Basics

Minimalism never goes out of style. You can't go wrong with crisp, clean, and organized. This movement has influenced multiple fields, from print design to user interfaces, films, and architecture. Create visual harmony with a few elements—not just any, but the best you can find. Select high-quality fonts and images, a muted color palette, and a basic grid. Minimalism can seem stark due to the lack of color, but use the content and images as elements to add contrast.

This magazine layout template uses the most essential elements to create an easygoing vibe on the pages. Use a mix of different font sizes to add visual interest to the page without creating clutter.

This InDesign flyer template is another great example of using multiple font sizes. If carefully placed, they'll add balance to the layout. Use high-quality photography and enlarge the star of the show for a dramatic touch.

Check out these tutorials, in which you'll learn to create clean and minimalist layouts in InDesign.

4. Play With Borders

This decorative element on the edge of the paper is not just an adornment. Borders can help you reinforce the theme of your project by stylising them. They can frame the page and create a strong delivery. This vintage style border uses intricate lines. With that alone, this element can bring the quality of your design to a higher level.

Borders can also be colorful. This bold border helps unify the theme of the design by complementing it. Use the design of the page as inspiration to add a border. If it becomes too crowded, try using fewer colors and a simpler design.

Check out these InDesign template tutorials that feature some cool borders in the designs.

5. Use a Pattern

Patterns are extremely versatile and perfect for filling up empty space. If you've gone too far with minimalism and thought to yourself, "How can I make this special?", patterns are the answer as they are flexible, functional, and visually effective. Not to mention that you can explore patterns for years—there are never two of the same. For some inspiration, check out the City of Melbourne branding by Landor Associates, which includes a plethora of geometric patterns.

As in the business card below, you can keep it monochromatic, minimal, and clean. This is a discreet way to add something special to the back of business cards. Keep a sleek palette if your pattern gets intricate.

It all depends on what feel you are going for. This book mockup has an organic, playful pattern in which each element has a different color. Work with a color palette that allows you to create visual harmony between the pattern and the background.

Pattern Cover Book Mock Up — Pattern Cover Mock Up

Check out this easy tutorial on how to make a pastel neon flyer in InDesign with a subtle pattern. If you are more versed in Illustrator, learn how to create this pattern set in different styles.

6. Invert It

Colors evoke different feelings in design. While we see logos and printed materials in many different colors, black still holds strong. Black translates into high-end, luxury, and elegance. This mysterious color is the new 'white canvas.' Paired with other colors, it brings out a contrast that can't be compared to white. The play of light and dark lends a sharp contrast to the page.

This InDesign template works beautifully with a black background. The subject's clothing gets lost in the background, highlighting the subject herself. The white type acts as a middle ground between the black and yellow. The only yellow element is even more pronounced because of its color and how strongly it lights up against the black.

You can also use stronger colors over black. This business card template features a bright orange color. Due to the dark background, the color appears much brighter. A dark background mixed with a bright color can bring some visual interest to a minimalist design.

Take a look at these InDesign template tutorials, which use dark blue backgrounds to highlight other elements on the page.

7. Brand Consistency

Turning a logo into a complete brand identity can be daunting. A professionally designed brand identity needs to be visually attractive and fresh. Aside from marketing, consumers will be looking at your branding to make sure you have a credible company.

An identity package consists of business cards, letterheads, invoices, envelopes, and creative folders. There are other materials that can be included, but these are the essentials. These elements need to work together cohesively. So if you are applying a pattern to a business card, this needs to extend to the rest of the stationery. This graphic translation will help you create a quality brand that will stand out from the crowd. The consistency doesn't stop after printing—make sure that the brand identity is applied across multiple media.

If you are struggling to find something you like, check out this InDesign template. It is clean, minimal, and breathable. You only need a few elements, add a pattern and a tasteful royal blue color, and you are all set!

If you are looking for something, let's say... loud—here's this bright InDesign template. It is still neatly organized and features those multi-layer tips we were talking about before. You can't go wrong with a highly typographic piece.

If you interested in creating your own stationery set or looking for tips on creating professional letterheads, check out these awesome tutorials:

8. Change Directions

There are a number of ways you can add emphasis and movement to your project. Colors and shapes are a couple. Rotating text from horizontal to vertical is a different way of adding movement and direction in your design.

When applying this tip, think as if you were the audience. In this InDesign template, details are aligned on the y-axis and aren't too overwhelming. Leaving the date on the fold is a bold move too—and it looks great! In this case, the trifold brochure contains the long copy from top to bottom—remember we still need legibility. Do practice this tip carefully; overdoing it can cause disharmony on the page.

Find other great examples that show different orientations and typography. We've got two tutorials on this topic that don't compromise legibility at all and are visually stunning:

9. Basic Graphics Go a Long Way

There are some simple steps you can take to spice up a minimalist layout. One of them is using basic graphics that vary in size and color. These will add visual weight and help with direction by emphasizing content. If you open a brochure and you are not quite sure what to read first and how to follow the content, lean on basic graphics.

This InDesign template is a great example of adding basic graphics. Each panel contains at least two graphic elements. Each either contains color or a photograph highlighting the content. The graphics are smaller and occupy what might have been empty spaces.

Basic graphics can also make for great brand identity stationery. This InDesign template contains a pattern of multiple basic graphics arranged diagonally. The end result is a playful and dynamic identity that is ready to take on the world.

Learn how to incorporate basic shapes in your design in these two tutorials. This InDesign flyer template successfully mixes graphics and photos.

10. Use High-Quality Images

Last but not least, high-quality images. It is no secret that using full-page, bleed-to-bleed images creates a major impact. While it seems as if it would be easy, it really isn't. First, you need to find high-quality images that you can enlarge to a full page. If you use low-quality images and carelessly stretch them over a page, you can run into some unpleasant problems. Pixelated images aren't pretty to look at, and they can be a bad reflection on the brand.

When you obtain an image, make sure you run it through Photoshop first. Make sure the resolution is set to 300 DPI before placing it in InDesign. Once you are in InDesign, use the image at 100% scale. You could go up to 120% in some cases, but always do a test print just to make sure you are in the clear.

This InDesign menu template is great for highlighting some tasty food as an opener. It adds a great impact to your design.

If you are having trouble finding high-quality images, make sure you check out Envato Elements. They have an ever-growing library of images, fonts, graphic templates, web templates, stock videos, and sound. You are sure to find some excellent assets for your next project.

Now It's Your Turn!

In this article, we've covered a wide range of tips to help you take your print design elements to the next level. We know it can be daunting to create something that's going to be put out into the world. Take these tips and see how they can be applied to your next project.

If you are new to InDesign and aren't sure of how to start, we've got some great templates that can help you out. We have everything from InDesign business cards to InDesign brochure templates and much more. Time savers! Head over to Envato Elements and GraphicRiver and take a look!

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