How to hire a graphic designer online and get what you pay for… Even if you’ve only paid $5!
In this totally wonderful, increasingly smaller, electronic world that we live in, it is SO easy to pay for expertise from anywhere in the world in almost any field. Naturally, the expert that we at Printing Brisbane come across most frequently is the graphic designer. And naturally, many of them are not actually experts!
If your budget is tight, likely you are planning on hiring a graphic artist from a platform like Fiverr or Upwork? Or, you have an offshore VA who can do your design work for you? That’s cool! My only request is that you actually get what you need, and don’t hire someone who can’t do the job! And please note, in my experience, more often than not, local designers are well worth the extra investment.
Getting someone who can do what they say they can do? Easier said than done, right? Many offshore designers do not know how to design for print. I have seen envelope artwork come through in a format large enough to cover the side of a building. I have seen a business card mockup that would require a yet-uninvented level of 3D printing to actually produce. And constantly, artwork that is in RGB, has no bleed or cropmarks. But, if you don’t particularly understand this technical jargon yourself, you are in a tricky position when you are trying to hire a designer to do it who is from the other side of the world and likely doesn’t even speak your language very well!
So, here is my advice:
Search for someone who specifies that they design for print. Check out their reviews and ratings.
Ask that your final file have the following:
1. A PDF
2. In CMYK
3. Images at 300dpi
4. Fonts converted to curves/outlines
5. 3mm bleed on every side
6. Cropmarks
7. And, if they are designing a logo, it MUST be in vector format if you EVER intend to print it
A business card that is ready to be printed
If you cannot get a confirmation from the designer that they can provide you with the above, then they are not the right person for your print job! Get in touch with us if you need to hire a graphic designer online. We know a BUNCH of people (in Australia and offshore) who can do this in their sleep.
It’s a jungle out there!!! (watch out for monkeys!)
What file format should my logo be in?
4 Steps to ensure your logo looks great, always…
1. Accurate, detailed quote
Ensure the initial quote lists the file formats the designer will give you. It should include low and high resolution versions of the logo in various formats..
Don’t let your branding be diluted by fuzzy logos
2. Useful files
Working formats of the logo are vital (png, jpg and gif are standard). Use these on websites, emails and your in-house documents. They need to be in CMYK, RGB, greyscale and mono. As you work with different suppliers they will tell you what they need, and you can easily send the correct one.
3. You definitely need your logo in a vector format
A vector is infinitely scalable. For example, you can use it for sign-writing on your corporate jet, and it will be perfect. Logos must be designed in vector, unless there’s a really good reason not to (and there usually isn’t a good reason).
If your designer cannot supply the logo in a vector format, ask why. On the rare occasion that there is a part of the design that cannot be a vector, then you should consider adjusting the design. If the designer refuses to supply the vector, ask why. There is no good reason for holding onto the premium version of your logo, and no good reason for charging you an additional fee to supply it. An experienced designer will have included the time it takes to supply these files in their quote.
Your brand needs to be able to grow with your business, and that includes your logo!
Common vector format files are eps, pdf, ai, and cdr. PDF ist the most useful, as you can open the file on almost any device to check the contents of the file, otherwise design software like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw is needed. PhotoShop is NOT acceptable software for logo design…sorry!
4. It is up to YOU to look after these files
Keep them in a sensible location on your computer system, and in a separate physical location too. Pop them on a cloud while you are at it! Printers, and other professionals WILL ask you for your vector files. This is your opportunity to shine and be one of the rare small business owners who can send these files to future designers and printers with the greatest of ease!
Contact Printing Brisbane
Need help getting your logo in the right file formats for large printing? Then contact us at Printing Brisbane.
