10 Common Printing Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them): Expert Tips from Chicagoland's Premier Printer

When it comes to printing projects, even small mistakes can result in wasted time, money, and resources. Whether you're a business owner managing marketing materials or an individual tackling a special project, understanding common printing mistakes can save you from costly reprints and disappointing results. At Schiele Group, we've worked with thousands of clients across Chicagoland and seen just about every printing error imaginable. In this comprehensive guide, we'll share the most common printing mistakes we encounter and offer practical solutions to avoid them.

1. Incorrect Color Mode Selection

One of the most frequent printing mistakes we see at Schiele Group is submitting files in the wrong color mode. Many people design their materials in RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color mode, which is perfect for digital displays but completely wrong for printing.

The Problem: RGB uses light to create colors and displays millions of shades. However, professional printing uses CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) color separation. When you print an RGB file, the colors won't match your expectations—they'll often appear dull, muted, or completely different from what you see on your screen.

How to Avoid It: Always convert your files to CMYK before sending them to your Chicagoland printer. Most professional design software, including Adobe Creative Suite, allows you to switch color modes easily. If you're unsure about the process, our team at Schiele Group is happy to assist with color mode conversion to ensure your printed materials look exactly as intended.

2. Poor Resolution and Low-Quality Images

Blurry, pixelated printed materials damage your professional image and waste your investment. This is one of the most common printing mistakes that results in unsatisfactory final products.

The Problem: Using images with insufficient resolution (measured in DPI—dots per inch) is a recipe for disaster. While images may look fine on your computer screen at 72 DPI, printing requires much higher quality. Standard printing requires a minimum of 300 DPI for sharp, professional results.

How to Avoid It: Before submitting your files to any Chicagoland printer, verify that all images are at least 300 DPI at their final print size. If you're unsure about your image resolution, our experts at Schiele Group can review your files and recommend solutions, including upscaling options when available.

3. Ignoring Bleed and Margin Requirements

Many printing mistakes occur because designers and clients don't understand the importance of bleeds and margins in professional printing.

The Problem: Bleed is the extra space that extends beyond the trim line of your printed material. Without proper bleeds, you risk having white edges on your finished product when colors or images should extend to the edge. Conversely, ignoring margin requirements can result in important content being cut off during trimming.

How to Avoid It: Always establish bleed and margin requirements before designing your materials. For most printing projects, we recommend a quarter-inch bleed on all sides. When you work with Schiele Group, we provide detailed specifications for your specific project to ensure your files are set up correctly from the start.

4. Failing to Proofread Your Content

This might seem obvious, but spelling and grammatical errors in printed materials are surprisingly common and costly to fix.

The Problem: Typos, misspellings, and grammatical errors in business cards, brochures, or marketing materials can damage your professional reputation and undermine your credibility with clients. Unlike digital content, you can't simply update a printed piece; you have to reprint it.

How to Avoid It: Implement a rigorous proofreading process before submitting files to your printer. Have at least two people review the content carefully. Many clients at Schiele Group appreciate our complimentary proofreading services. We review files for obvious errors and alert you to potential issues before printing begins.

5. Using Incorrect File Formats

Submitting your design in the wrong file format is a common printing mistake that can cause compatibility issues and quality loss.

The Problem: While PDFs are generally the gold standard for printing, some file formats compress images, lose color information, or become corrupted during the printing process. Submitting native design files (like Photoshop PSD or Illustrator AI) without proper conversion can lead to printing complications.

How to Avoid It: Always submit high-quality PDF files to your Chicagoland printer. PDFs preserve all design elements, fonts, and colors exactly as you intended them. At Schiele Group, we accept PDF files as our preferred format, but we're also equipped to work with other formats if necessary. We'll guide you through the proper file preparation process.

6. Neglecting to Account for Paper Type and Weight

Choosing the wrong paper stock is a printing mistake that affects both the appearance and durability of your finished product.

The Problem: Different projects require different paper stocks. Using lightweight paper for business cards makes them feel cheap and flimsy. Conversely, using overly heavy cardstock for brochures can increase costs unnecessarily and create binding issues. Additionally, glossy, matte, and textured papers print differently, affecting color saturation and vibrancy.

How to Avoid It: Work with your printer to select appropriate paper stock for your specific project. At Schiele Group, we offer a wide range of paper options and can recommend the best choice based on your needs, budget, and desired outcome. Our team can provide paper samples so you can see and feel the difference before committing to your full print run.

7. Overlooking Font Issues

Font-related printing mistakes can cause text to appear differently than expected or, worse, become unreadable.

The Problem: If your design uses fonts that aren't embedded in your PDF or that the printer doesn't have installed, the printer may substitute fonts, changing the appearance of your design. Additionally, very small font sizes may become illegible when printed, and certain fonts may not reproduce well.

How to Avoid It: Embed all fonts in your PDF files before sending them to print. Avoid using fonts smaller than 8 points for body text. When submitting files to Schiele Group, our team will verify that all fonts are properly embedded and will alert you if any issues are detected.

8. Forgetting About Ink Density and Overprinting

This technical printing mistake often goes unnoticed by those unfamiliar with print production.

The Problem: Excessive ink density—using too much ink on a single area—can cause papers to wrinkle, colors to appear muddy, and drying issues. Additionally, improper overprinting (where one color is printed on top of another) can result in color shifts and registration issues.

How to Avoid It: Professional designers understand ink density limitations and design accordingly. If you're creating your own designs, limit total ink coverage to around 240-300 percent. When you work with Schiele Group, our design team can review your files and make adjustments to ensure optimal printing results.

9. Misunderstanding Pantone Color Matching

Many clients make the mistake of assuming their screen colors will match exactly when printed, leading to disappointment.

The Problem: Pantone (PMS) colors are standardized for professional printing to ensure consistency. If you specify a Pantone color, your printer will use specific ink formulations to match that color precisely. However, if you don't specify Pantone colors and rely on CMYK approximations, you may not get the exact color you envisioned.

How to Avoid It: When color accuracy is critical, always specify Pantone colors. At Schiele Group, we can help you select appropriate Pantone colors for your project and ensure perfect color matching across all your printed materials. We offer color-matching services and can provide samples before your full print run.

10. Not Planning for Production Time and Rush Fees

Finally, one of the most common printing mistakes is underestimating production timelines, which can lead to rush orders and unnecessary expenses.

The Problem: Submitting rush printing orders often results in premium charges and may compromise quality if your printer can't properly accommodate the expedited timeline. Additionally, rush orders may limit your options for paper stocks, finishing options, or customization.

How to Avoid It: Plan and submit your printing projects well in advance. At Schiele Group, we recommend submitting files at least 5-7 business days before your needed delivery date. This allows us to properly review files, make any necessary adjustments, and produce your materials with the highest quality standards. If you do need rush printing, contact us directly—we often can accommodate expedited orders while maintaining our commitment to excellence.

Trust Schiele Group for Perfect Printing Results

Avoiding these common printing mistakes starts with working with an experienced, professional printer who understands the complexities of print production. At Schiele Group, we've been serving the Chicagoland area for years, helping businesses and individuals achieve outstanding printed materials.

Our team is dedicated to catching potential issues before they become costly problems. We provide complimentary file reviews, offer design consultation services, and maintain rigorous quality control standards throughout every project.

Ready to avoid printing mistakes on your next project? Contact Schiele Group today for a free consultation. Let our Chicagoland printing experts help you create professional, high-quality printed materials that exceed your expectations.