Importance of Checking Prints before Production

Key Points

• Checking designs before production helps prevent costly errors, delays, and damage to brand reputation.
• Both simple and complex designs require review to ensure accuracy, consistency, and correct messaging.
• Proper pre-production checks reduce waste and ensure final products meet quality and branding standards.

A careful review helps confirm that the finished promotional products will represent your brand accurately and meet your expectations.

Simple Designs Still Need to Be Checked

Minimalist designs are popular because they look clean and are often easy to recognise. A promotional T-shirt, tote bag or drink bottle might only include a company logo and a short line of text.

Although the design may appear simple, mistakes can still occur.

For example:

• the logo may be too small
• the text may contain a spelling mistake
• the logo may be positioned too close to a sea
• an outdated version of the logo may have been supplied
• the design may not provide enough contrast against the product colour.

A simple design does not mean the approval process should be rushed. Every word, colour and design element still needs to be reviewed.

Detailed Designs Require Additional Attention

Complex artwork may include illustrations, slogans, dates, multiple colours or technical references. These designs often need a more thorough review because there are more opportunities for errors to appear.

Look closely at:

• names, dates and contact details
• product illustrations and technical details
• logo proportions and clear space
• brand colours
• the order of design elements
• small text that may become difficult to read when printed
• fine lines that may not reproduce clearly with the selected branding method.

It can also help to ask someone who was not involved in creating the artwork to check it. A fresh set of eyes may notice errors that the original designer has overlooked.

Check Technical and Cultural References

Design mistakes are not always limited to spelling or logo placement. Problems can also arise when artwork includes vehicles, uniforms, flags, sporting colours, historical symbols or other recognisable references.

For example, a vehicle enthusiast may immediately notice if a design combines parts from two different car models. A sporting audience may also react negatively if the wrong team colours, logo or state references are used.

These mistakes can distract attention away from the campaign and create unnecessary criticism of the brand.

Before approving this type of artwork, ask someone familiar with the subject to review it. Research any technical, historical or cultural details rather than relying on assumptions.

What to Check on an Artwork Proof

Before giving final approval, confirm the following details.

Spelling and Information

Check all names, phone numbers, website addresses, dates, event details and promotional messages. Read each line slowly rather than relying on a quick glance.

Logo Version

Make sure the correct and most recent logo has been used. Check that the proportions have not been stretched, compressed or altered.

Colours

Confirm that the logo and design colours are correct. Screen colours can appear different from printed colours, so provide Pantone or PMS colour references when precise matching is important.

Position and Size

Look at where the design will appear on the product. Consider whether the branding is large enough to be seen without overwhelming the available space.

Product Colour

Make sure the artwork contrasts clearly against the item. Dark artwork may disappear on a black product, while pale colours can be difficult to see on white or light-coloured items.

Branding Method

Consider how the design will be reproduced. Screen printing, embroidery, pad printing, laser engraving and digital printing each have different limitations.

Small text, gradients and fine details may need to be adjusted depending on the branding method.

Image Quality

Low-resolution images can appear blurry or pixelated when printed. Vector files such as AI, EPS or suitable PDF files generally produce the clearest results for logos and line artwork.

Get More Than One Person to Review It

The person who created or submitted the design may unconsciously read what they expect to see rather than what is actually on the page. Where possible, ask at least one colleague to review the proof independently. For larger campaigns, it may be helpful to involve someone from marketing, management or the relevant event team. Each person should review the artwork for a different purpose. One person might check spelling, while another confirms branding, campaign details or technical accuracy.

Do Not Approve Artwork Just to Save Time

Approving artwork quickly may appear to speed up an order, but it can have the opposite effect if an error is discovered after production has started. Depending on the product and branding method, changes made after approval may result in:

• additional setup fees
• production delays
• missed event deadlines
• wasted stock
• reprinting or replacement costs
• inconsistent branding.

It is usually faster and more affordable to spend a few minutes checking the proof than to correct hundreds or thousands of finished products.

What Happens After Artwork Approval?

Once the client approves the final artwork, the supplier normally uses that approved file as the production reference. This means the client should treat approval as the final opportunity to check the content and layout. A digital proof shows the intended position, size and overall appearance, although the exact result may vary slightly depending on the product material and production method.

Clients should raise any questions before approving the artwork. Our account managers can explain branding limitations, recommend suitable logo sizes and request changes from the artwork team before production begins.