Once, a small business manager, while organizing an employee motivation event, was completely convinced that printing diplomas would be a quick and simple task. However, in reality, various unexpected situations arose: files were not in suitable format, choosing paper took much more time than anticipated, and the project’s final cost turned out to be much higher. Have you ever encountered similar problems when planning to order a diploma for your events? How can you avoid such unpleasant situations and better plan the production of diplomas?
The first step to efficiently ordering a diploma is a detailed planning process. Many entrepreneurs do not realize how important it is to clearly understand their desires and needs from the outset. When you start a project with a clearly defined goal, it is possible to save both time and resources. Therefore, it is worth considering some crucial questions: Who will be the recipients of the diplomas? What quantity is needed? And, of course, how important is the material, design, and printing quality?
Successful diploma production also means a thoughtful schedule – deadlines are often the biggest challenge. Therefore, carefully calculate the necessary time for both design approval and the actual printing process. Did you know that even a slight rush can increase printing costs by 20-30%?
Errors in preparing design files are one of the most common reasons for unexpected additional costs in diploma printing. Incorrect format, unsuitable resolution, or improperly set colors can lead to additional approval cycles and redesign. Therefore, before ordering a diploma, ensure that the design file is ready according to the printing house’s requirements. Usually, printing houses will want to receive a PDF file with at least 300 dpi resolution, CMYK color model, and necessary bleed margins.
It’s important to pay attention to even the smallest details – for example, the choice of fonts. Fonts should be embedded in the file or converted to outlines to ensure that printing is as high-quality as initially intended. Incorrect fonts sometimes lead to additional editorial work and unplanned expenses.
Material selection is another crucial factor to order a diploma cost-effectively and to ensure that the final result matches the significance of the event. While thicker and higher-quality paper will look impressive, sometimes slightly thinner yet elegantly processed paper is sufficient, reducing overall costs. Did you know that matte or satin-coated paper often looks higher quality than expensive lamination? Such small compromises allow for a professional result without excessive expenditures.
Thoughtful planning of the print run is one of the smartest ways to efficiently order a diploma and save resources. Urgent orders for smaller batches often significantly increase the cost per unit. Therefore, do not rush – first find out the exact demand for diplomas to avoid unnecessary expenses for additional print jobs or, conversely, the waste of resources in the case of an overly large print run.
A practical tip: If the need for diplomas is ongoing, consider once preparing and printing the basic design of the diploma, adding individual data in the post-processing phase. This practice will help to significantly reduce both printing and design correction expenses in the long run.
The last but by no means the least important factor – choosing a reliable and professional printing house. Long-term cooperation with experienced printing specialists allows not only for high-quality printing results but also provides valuable advice for a more efficient work process and economical choices. Professionals will be happy to share tips on how to best choose materials or the optimal printing technique to reduce costs without losing quality.
Are you ready to order a diploma more wisely next time? By following the aforementioned recommendations, any printing project can become more efficient and economical, providing a convincing result without unnecessary expenses or undue stress.