Print design is the skill or art of combining graphics and text in the media. This conveys ideas more effectively for the community of the people. The historical background of the print design passes through a vast period of time. It witnessed an extensive amount of change throughout the years of it to get to where it is today. Each piece of technology that came through history has not only improved daily personal and social lives. They also impacted the way in which one was able to convey ideas.
Sometimes printing, like painting, has the same structure as graphics design. The design can resemble both fine art and graphics design.
Definition of Print Design
It is a subset of graphic design where it comes first digitally and then proceeds to hardcopy. It is largely for marketing and promotional purposes. Business cards, flyers, and packaging are all part of it.
The term print design is not the same as mere printing. Printing is transforming the digital design on hardcopy materials like paper, cards, or boxes. While it is a design, it will print in physical publication. It is important to distinguish the two, because inexperienced clients may ask printing designers for a graphic design as well.
Graphic and Print Design: The Difference
Graphic design is the art of visual communication through concepts of typography, layout, color, and imagery. This is a broad term that describes different types of design. Print design is basically a part of graphic design that focuses on creating a design that is to print out. These include physical publications like flyers, posters, and product packaging.
The difference between digital and print design is in implementation, although both of them are parts of graphic design. Digital graphics have a role on digital platforms. It could be a logo, social media icon, or graphics. On the other hand, it has publication in printed publications. Examples are newspapers, magazines, advertising design, and flyers. The designing purpose is the same, but their output occurs on different media.
Types of Print Design, Stationery, and Magazine Layouts
Print design includes different print publications – and these can be a lot. There are print designers who specialize in specific publications, making them experts in their chosen niche. There are many types of print design but now we shall focus on the most common ones.
Business Card Design:
Business cards are essential for every business owner for better branding. It improves brand awareness and helps people memorize your brand better. Most print designers who create cards for businesses also specialize in other stationery such as letterhead design. These business cards include personal information such as the contact number, email, and business address. Professional business cards have a minimalistic design and use the brand’s colors and fonts. It makes them an important part of brand identity.
Flyer Print Design:
Flyers or fliers are still popular in businesses due to their cheap printing cost. Print designers specialized in flyers design are responsible for attracting audiences. Business organizations usually print flyers on A5 paper and distribute them by hand on the streets. This helps a business to reach more people without spending too much on marketing. These flyers include a company’s branding, details of a specific product, service or event, an eye-catching graphic, and legible test.
Label and Packaging Design:
Businesses spend a lot of money to create high-quality labels and packaging designs for better branding. This print design niche focuses on design labels and packaging for products. It makes them look more appealing to potential buyers and unique from competitors.
Poster Design:
Posters are large printed ads, pictures, or promotions. Business entities design and display posters for temporary use to showcase an idea, product, or upcoming event. Posters hook on passersby with attractive visuals and supporting text. Common examples of posters are movie posters, promotional posters ( discounts and deals), and event posters ( festivals and concerts). Specializing in poster design will enable you to effectively communicate a brand’s message and catch the eye of the audience. You should also have a good idea of layout when designing a poster, as these are much larger in size.
Magazine and Cover Print Design:
Magazines are still very popular amongst readers. Magazine print designers specialize in composing beautiful magazine layouts and cover designs. To design a magazine cover, you should be able to use imagery effectively. Your main image is going to have the biggest impact on the audience. For the inside of the magazine design, there is another concept. You have to have a good idea of layout techniques of print design such as grid systems. Almost every magazine uses a grid to compose, organize and arrange text. This also helps maintain a good balance between images and text. It keeps the readers engaged.
T-shirt Print Design:
T-shirt print design is one of the most common forms of good promotional tool. These types of prints are most popular with common consumers, who simply find those in the markets. Also often hotel and restaurant personnel wear print-designed T-shirts, mostly from fast food corners. This kind of work is also common in fan groups, to promote festivals or social occasions.
Menu Design:
Good menu design is important for restaurants, cafes, and hotel menus. Displays like menus are straightforward, they list the items and prices, clearly communicating what customers can order. Menu design also varies from business to business. Since your menu will show your personal style, it is an integral part of the branding. The use of images and colors can clearly distinguish your menu design from those of competitors.
Other Print Design Types
The above-discussed subject types are the most common ones. Apart from those, there are many other types. These are vinyl wrapping, signage design, greeting cards, invitations, book design, calendars, postcards, manuals, letterheads, stickers, folders, User Interface Design, and clothing.
If you choose a specific subject niche, this should give you a good idea of the options you have. Again storyboarding can use print design for subtitles and ending credits.
Typography Design
Basically, typography design is arranging letters in an attractive and appealing way to make an impression. if we come to business terms, the impression is to make on consumers. Typography involves font style, appearance, and structure, which aim to elicit certain emotions and convey specific messages. There is a good starting point in dealing with typography design in the printing industry. It is to define the core traits of your brand and start to gather typefaces to reflect this brand. It is equally important how the font style harmonizes with the tone of the message.
Final Word on Print Design
Print design is the profession of designing for publications such as flyers, magazines, and posters. There are many types, ranging from business cards to product packaging. Print designers are in high demand due to growing consumerism and businesses have to stand out. If you are interested in becoming a print designer, it is important to know one thing. There are differences between print and other fields of graphic design. Knowing these aspects is the first way to get started.
