In a competitive marketplace, first impressions count. At Printingprogress, we know that even small graphic design mistakes can erode brand confidence, undermine professionalism, and lead to wasted print spend when materials are unusable for production. As award-winning printers and experienced graphic designers with decades of combined creative experience, we’ve seen the best- and worst-executed designs, and we’re here to help you avoid the pitfalls that can harm your communications.
Whether you’re preparing promotional brochures, business cards, flyers, signage, or digital assets, understanding common pitfalls before you send work to print will save time, money, and brand credibility.
Have questions about our graphic designing services? Call 0800 999 1094 or email info@printingprogress.co.uk today!
Design smarter, print better: how to avoid costly graphic slip-ups.
Why avoiding poor graphic design matters
Poor graphic design doesn’t just look unprofessional. It can:
- Fail to engage the target audience
- Distort your brand message
- Lead to errors in print output
- Lose customer trust before they even read your copy
Customers have only moments to judge your brand visually, especially when materials arrive in their hands or appear in a storefront. Effective graphic design supports legibility, hierarchy, and message clarity, all while reflecting your brand personality consistently across formats.
At Printingprogress, our design team works closely with clients to create compelling visual assets, from logos to full brochures, helping you communicate with clarity and impact.
Top brand design mistakes that cost you credibility
Consistency and clarity are core to long-term brand strength. These are the most frequent brand design mistakes we encounter in artwork that is sent for print:
Inconsistent branding
When colours, typefaces, or design elements differ across materials, customers can struggle to recognise your brand immediately. This inconsistency weakens impact and makes communications look disconnected.
Ignoring readability
Tight letter spacing, low contrast between text and background, or fonts too small for intended use can turn a designed poster into unreadable content. Always prioritise legibility over novelty in fonts.
Overcomplicated layouts
Busy or overly complex designs may look creative in theory but often confuse the eye. White space is a design asset, not a lack of effort.
Missing branding fundamentals
Your logo should always be clear, correctly proportioned, and positioned with enough breathing room. Small logo files blown up for signage often become pixelated, blurring both vision and brand trust.
Avoiding these essential brand design errors helps ensure your printed materials elevate your business, not diminish it. Our in-house designers excel at building consistency across products from business cards to banners.
Common print design mistakes businesses make
Good design on-screen does not automatically translate well to print. Here are predictable pitfalls that lead to costly revisions:
Wrong colour formats
Digital RGB colours can print very differently. Professional print typically uses CMYK colour space. Supplying artwork in the wrong format often leads to colours that are dull or unpredictable on paper. .
Insufficient bleed or margin
Printing presses require artwork to extend beyond the trim area (bleed), or designs risk white edges where paper is cut. Equally, important text placed too close to the edge can be trimmed off. Always work with appropriate bleed and safe margins.
Low-resolution images
Small, pixelated images may look fine on screen but can appear grainy or blocky when printed. For professional results, always use high-resolution artwork suited to the size of the final print.
Failing to proof properly
A proof is your last chance to catch errors before printing commences. Relying solely on on-screen proofs without printing test copies increases the chances of missed mistakes.
These are some of the most frequent common print design mistakes businesses make, and they are entirely avoidable with professional oversight. At Printingprogress, we provide proof checks before printing to minimise errors, ensuring that what you approve is what gets printed.
How bad design for print affects your marketing ROI
Design mistakes that go unnoticed can have ripple effects beyond visual appeal:
Lowered engagement
If your audience cannot read or absorb what you’ve communicated, the effectiveness of your marketing diminishes.
Higher costs
Reprints, wasted materials, and last-minute corrections cost more than the initial design investment. Good design reduces risk.
Brand confusion
Different design treatments across platforms and materials create incoherent messaging, weakening brand recall.
How we help you fix and avoid design pitfalls
We adopt a proactive, consultative approach that blends expertise with flexibility. Our process includes:
- Taking a detailed brief to understand your business goals and audience
- Producing bespoke designs that align with your brand identity
- Providing proofs and revisions to catch issues early
- Recommending best practice for artwork intended for print or digital use
This integrated service means you get professional guidance from concept to delivery, reducing the chance of graphic design mistakes that harm branding.
Common Errors vs Professional Practice
| Common Error | Professional Fix |
|---|---|
| Inconsistent fonts | Brand-approved type system |
| RGB colours supplied | CMYK conversion and colour proofing |
| No bleed | Add standard bleed per product |
| Low-res images | Replace with vector or high-res files |
Reach out to Printingprogress
Avoid the pitfalls of graphic design mistakes and ensure your print materials represent your brand brilliantly. Contact our award-winning team for expert design and print support, call 0800 999 1094 or email info@printingprogress.co.uk.
FAQs
What defines poor graphic design?
Poor graphic design is unclear, inconsistent, or not aligned with your brand values. It can confuse the viewer rather than communicate your message effectively.
How many common print design mistakes businesses make can be avoided?
Most are preventable with professional guidance and good proof checks before print, such as correct colour profiles, bleed, and image resolution.
Does design affect brand perception?
Absolutely. Mistakes in design make a brand seem less credible or professional. Well-designed materials enhance trust and engagement.
Can Printingprogress fix design errors before printing?
Yes. We review and proof all artwork before printing to minimise errors. We work with clients to adjust files so that they are print-ready and impactful.
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