A well-written print brief saves time, money and the disappointment of receiving something that isn't what you imagined. Here's exactly what to include.
The most common cause of print jobs going wrong isn’t the printer — it’s the brief. Vague instructions lead to assumptions, and assumptions lead to reprints.
The essential elements
Product type and format: Be specific. “A brochure” could mean anything. Specify format, page count and fold type.
Quantity: Print pricing is based almost entirely on quantity. The difference between 250 and 500 copies is often surprisingly small.
Paper stock: Silk, gloss, uncoated or recycled. Weight in gsm — 90gsm is office paper, 350gsm is a business card.
Finish: Lamination, spot UV, foil, embossing — or explicitly “no finish.”
Colours: CMYK is standard. Pantone if brand colours are critical. “4/4” means full colour both sides.
Artwork format: Print-ready PDF with 3mm bleed, crop marks and embedded fonts.
Deadline: Be honest about when you actually need it. Rushed jobs cost more.
Eco requirements: FSC certified paper, vegetable inks, recycled stock, no plastic lamination — specify these explicitly.
Shop related products
All printed on FSC certified stocks by our verified eco supplier network.
Eco business cards, printed sustainably
FSC certified card, vegetable-based inks, UK printed. From £19.
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