Even when you have been through the print process a few times, a quick review before submitting your files can make all the difference. Not because anything is necessarily wrong, but because a little prep work up front tends to make everything go more smoothly on the back end. Think of it as a friendly reminder that the basics are worth a second look, no matter how familiar the process feels.
That is exactly why a checklist matters. The details change from job to job, but the fundamentals stay consistent. Run through these before your next project, and you will save yourself time, money, and a few headaches.
Seven things every print checklist should have
1. Talk to us first
Even if you have done this type of job a dozen times, it is always worth a quick call or email to ask whether there is anything specific to know about this particular project. The only question you will regret is the one you did not ask. The team at Main Graphics is here for exactly this kind of conversation.
2. File format
Make sure your file is in the correct format before submitting. In most cases, that means a print-ready PDF. When in doubt, check with us, and we will point you in the right direction.
3. Resolution
Images should be at 300 dpi for standard print work. High-end pieces like catalogs or coffee table books may require higher resolution, and wide-format work varies with display size and viewing distance. If you are unsure what resolution is right for your application, ask. That is what we are here for.
4. Color mode
This one is important. Print jobs need to be in CMYK, not RGB. If you submit in RGB, the file will undergo a conversion before it goes to press, and that conversion can shift your colors in ways you did not plan. Design in CMYK from the start, and you stay in control of how your final piece looks.
5. Bleed and margins
If your design does not bleed to the edge of the page, make sure your trim margins are set correctly with crop marks. Pages are trimmed to the final size after printing, so anything important that sits too close to the edge risks being cut off. Double-check your setup before you submit.
6. Fonts
Embed your fonts or convert them to outlines before sending your file. If fonts are missing or not embedded, your design software will substitute whatever it finds, and the result rarely looks like what you intended.
7. Layers
If you are working in design software with multiple layers, flatten them before submitting. Unflattened files can cause transparency issues or unintended edits that show up on press in ways that are hard to catch until it is too late.
This list is a solid starting point, not the complete picture.
Main Graphics has been the most trusted print resource in Orange County for good reason. We take the time to get things right, and we are always happy to walk through your file before it goes to press. Reach out to us in Irvine before your next project gets underway. A two-minute conversation now can save a lot of back-and-forth later.
If you are an Orange County business owner or marketing manager staring at a blank page, trying to figure out what goes into a great sales brochure, you are not alone. Whether you are updating an existing piece or starting from scratch, creating brochure content that actually works does not have to be overwhelming. At Main Graphics, we work with businesses across Irvine, Santa Ana, Anaheim, and throughout Southern California every day, and we have seen firsthand what separates a brochure that drives response from one that sits in a stack unread.
Let’s be honest: everyone said direct mail was dead. And yet here we are in 2026, watching it outperform digital channels that get ten times the budget and attention. The average response rate for online display ads is around 0.3%. Direct mail? Consistently lands between 2.7% and 4.4%. That’s not a rounding error. That’s a fundamentally different result.
You’ve built a successful business. Sales are growing, your bottom line looks healthy, and you’ve got a loyal customer base. That’s something to be proud of. But here’s a question worth sitting with: have you built a brand?
There’s a real difference between the two. A successful business means your numbers work. A successful brand means people feel something when they hear your name. Think about Nike, Apple, Starbucks, or Coca-Cola. You don’t just think of their products when those names come up. You feel something. That emotional connection is what turns first-time buyers into lifelong customers, and it’s what separates a business from a brand.
So how do you get there? It starts with your visuals.
You’ve seen them everywhere across Orange County: those feel-good banners outside restaurants in Newport Beach, retailers in Tustin, and service businesses throughout Irvine declaring “We love our community” or “Proud to serve our neighbors.” They seem obvious, maybe even corny. But here’s the truth: they work. And the psychology behind why they work explains exactly why your business needs one.
