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Chapter 7 ∣ Design and Layout
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
The next step is the comprehensive. This is
where you detail the assets more clearly. Block in
the display type and add color. This step is often
done on the computer and ultimately becomes the
final file.
Job Specifications
Before you begin, you need to know all the job
specifications, or specs. The size requirements,
printing specifications, finishing information, and
binding requirement all influence how a layout is
developed. Think backward.
How a piece will be bound affects the margins.
Saddle-stitching requires different margins from
coil-binding. For more information on stitching,
see Chapter 17, Finishing and Binding. Where text
and images are placed is impacted by the binding.
Check with your printer to determine how much
margin they will need for the final layout.
Most finishing requirements are set up in the
file from the beginning. For instance, the width of
the panels for a trifold brochure depends on how
it folds. A Z-fold has different panel widths from a
letterfold. Die-cuts and foils need to be included in
the electronic file.
Printing Specifications
Printing specifications include size, quantity,
paper requirements, color, and resolution. One
important concern is the size of the press required
to run the job. The finished size also determines the
size of the paper to be used in printing.
The number of pages to be printed and the
number of copies required will help determine the
printing requirements. Based on the number of
pages and the size, the printing company will decide
the most economical way of printing the job.
Printing requirements include the kind of
stock or paper to use. The necessary stock must
©Randy Burnett
Figure 7-48. Thumbnails are preliminary ideas, very quickly generated with pencil on paper, to show a number of different
ideas or options for a particular layout or design.