Common Mistakes That Ruin Prints — And How to Avoid Them

Prints are permanent — and that’s what makes mistakes costly. The good news? A little prep can save your image and your budget.

From blurry files to wrong color profiles, here’s what can go wrong in printing — and how French Broad Imaging helps you get it right.

Mistake 1: Low-Resolution Files

Your image might look fine on screen but fall apart in print. Always aim for 300 DPI at final print size.

Mistake 2: Wrong Color Profile

Screens use RGB; printers use CMYK. We recommend Adobe RGB or sRGB files — and we convert accurately in-house.

Mistake 3: Over-Editing or Oversaturation

What glows on your phone might look harsh on paper. We can review proofs together to balance tone and contrast.

Mistake 4: Forgetting Bleeds and Margins

Allow extra room if your image goes to the edge. It prevents unintended cropping during trimming or framing.

Mistake 5: Ignoring Paper Type

Glossy, matte, fine art — each reacts differently. Let us match your file to the right surface.