Graphic imaging is quite the process because it requires attention to detail, active
communication, and creative alignment.
After you’ve found a graphic imaging company and signed into a partnership with them,
you’re going to need tips on how to work efficiently and effectively with them so that you
can produce high-quality work that meets your expectations.
As much as you think this project is in the hands of the graphic imaging company, it’s
actually quite reliant on how well you communicate your needs and inspiration and your
availability to the team for questions and quality assurance.
Once you develop your business, you’ll find that there is a growing need for printed
materials. Especially if you’re expanding into a retail space or a physical office.
Why Is Graphic Imaging Important?
Elevation is necessary for attracting new customers while maintaining the ones you
already have. It’s important to understand that the medium is not always digital.
You may have a thriving social media for your bakery but your physical location is the one
that matters because it holds the home, the environment of your brand. The graphics on
your social media feed create an experience themself but what about when the customer
comes to your bakery? What’s that feeling like? Does it compare to the flawless and, in
some cases, heavily filtered social media experience?
People are more likely to believe in your business when they go to a physical location and
experience it for themselves. Social media feeds cannot be experienced realistically
because of the interference of filtering and special effects. Although most businesses can
survive off of the digital space, a physical location is always a safer bet for building
sustainable revenue.
● How do they feel?
● What does the environment feel like?
These are the questions that matter because you need to ensure that your business is
being seen by your audience as much as possible.
The visual art form is significantly valuable because of its high speed of absorption, in comparison to simple text.
Printing pairs well with design because it requires manipulation of text and art to match
the dimensions and requirements of the medium. Design is the message, but graphic
imaging is the delivery of that message.
Map Out Your Project Needs
Think about what exactly you’re looking to get from the project. Having a clear idea of
what your needs are for the project is perfect because it gives you and the graphic
imaging company a message to align and reflect on throughout the production process.
Alignment is key and without a focus that is well communicated to the company, you
can’t ensure that you are all on the same page. It’s imperative that everyone is focused on
the same overall message and theme.
What type of project are you looking for? A mural? A billboard? There’s a lot to pick from.
Have a look at the company’s projects page to capture a little inspiration.
Find Project Inspiration & Examples
Create a mood board of inspiration from graphics you’ve found online. It helps the graphic
imaging studio understand your vision more when they have reference material to view.
Design requires a lot more communication and alignment than you would think. For the
designer to understand what your visions
Share Your Creative Assets with the Team
Before you look for a graphic imaging company, it’s vital that you get your assets
designed. Reflect on your business’s marketing needs and work with your in-house
designer or an external one.
If you have an in-house designer, set up a project workflow for the internal team to
discuss the creative brief. Nail down the important elements of your marketing materials:
● Typeface
● Colour story
● Messaging
● Vision
● Audience
In the event that you don’t have an in-house designer, or are in need of brand guidelines,
Lucidpress has a descriptive guide on how to create one.
In discussing these, you can all align on what your company is truly about. Getting
feedback from the team is an immense help because it gives you the foresight into
whether the messaging is on-point or not.
Once you have a brand nailed down, you’re going to need to create marketing materials
and signage for your retail display or office.
Having printed materials that match your brand identity and aesthetic only further creates
an all-encompassing atmosphere for your audience.
Schedule Timelines and Deadlines
Alignment is very important when working with an external company. You must ensure
that deadlines are being met, even if you’re not in a dire need to get your printing done.
Deadlines ensure that needs are being met on time. This is especially imperative in a
design environment.
In one of your early meetings with the graphic imaging team, set up a recurring timeslot
for future meeting calls. Aim for a good mix of in-person and virtual meetings. Having the
time to provide your feedback and get clarity on design is incredibly important to the
progress of the project.
Actively Communicate with Your Team and with the Graphic Imaging Company
The best people to rely on for feedback are those that know your company inside and out:
YOUR TEAM! Don’t forget to share graphics, messages, and project drafts with your team
to get their opinions. They may point out things that you initially weren’t aware of.
Keep communication between your team and the graphic imaging ongoing. Keep an
internal schedule to check up on the graphic imaging company. But be sure not to
overcompensate because it can get overwhelming if you’re constantly emailing or calling
them. An email every week to two weeks, in the beginning, is great for setting a structure
up.
Go to the Company’s Facility to See the Work in Action
Once the project takes off and materials start getting designed and printed, schedule
meetings to go to the facility to view the materials. It’s better to go earlier on so that you
can halt any printing that you are not satisfied with. You can also get a lot of clarity on
what your project will look like when it is completed.
The graphic imaging process is one that requires attention and communication between
your team and the company that’s taking care of the design and printing. Don’t
underestimate the creative process; there’s a lot of detail that goes into this work. And it’s
worth every penny.
