Even the most organized, experienced marketing teams make print missteps. It’s not
about smarts. It’s about time, pressure, and details falling through the cracks. After two
decades of helping clients launch, scale, rebrand, and pivot, we’ve seen the patterns.
And we’ve learned what it takes to avoid costly setbacks.
Here are the three most common print mistakes we see, and what to do instead.
The problem: What looks great on your monitor might not translate to paper,
packaging, or apparel. RGB vs. CMYK, font rendering, and subtle resolution issues can
turn a crisp digital design into a muddy mess on press.
What to do instead: Bring in your print team early to ensure the final product matches
your intent. From color calibration to paper finishes, we’ll help protect the quality of your
brand at every step.
Pro Tip: Ask for a hard copy proof if color accuracy matters. There’s no substitute for
seeing the real thing before a full run.
The problem: You want to be buttoned up before handing things off, so you finalize
every detail internally before calling your print partner. It feels efficient. But even the
most organized handoff can miss key production considerations without early input from
the team who’s bringing it to life. Over-preparation in isolation can mean missed
opportunities, last-minute revisions, or the need for production workarounds that impact
cost, quality, or speed.
What to do instead: Think of us as part of your marketing team. The earlier we know
what’s coming, the more we can optimize the process. This prevents surprises, protects
quality, and ensures that your hard work pays off.
Pro Tip: Loop us in early and you might walk away with a better solution. We can often
suggest materials, formats, or production tweaks that save time, lower costs, or elevate
your final product.
The problem: The event is set. The campaign is scheduled. Your space is ready for
installations. But your custom packaging, signage, apparel, or kitted materials might
take longer than expected. Suddenly you’re staring down rush fees, stress, or possible
missed deadlines.
What to do instead: Build your timeline with your print partner at the beginning of the
project. We can flag tricky pieces early, pad in time for proofing, and help you avoid the
last-minute scramble.
Pro Tip: We can handle rush jobs. However, they often cost more, and put extra
pressure on your team. A smart, shared timeline protects your sanity and your budget.
Whether it’s your first campaign or your 50th, we’re here to help you skip the headaches
and get results. Just don’t keep us on the sidelines. Bring us in early, and let’s get to
work. Because partnering with clients? It’s kind of our thing.
A smart signage rollout built for scale, speed, and coast-to-coast consistency.
Print NW has the tools to deliver a wide array of printing solutions and products.
Whether you’re looking to outfit your business with new indoor/outdoor signage, or want to advertise the products, we have a sign to fit your needs.
Print NW works with you to create the best products, from grab-and-go promotional items to full-service digital apparel stores..