Before You Click Send or Print

It is almost time to leave the office, but you have stayed to finish up a flyer or postcard that had to be done today. So you add the text, pick a background and format it on the right size of paper. Time to print? Not so fast. Pressing print may cause you to waste time and money, and it could have been avoided.

Here is a list of 5 things to check before you press print :

1. Is everything spelled correctly?

Remember that spell check does not catch everything. The computer does not know when I mean "First Untied Methodist Church." Get someone else to check your work. Also read your publication from the bottom up. This way you will not be reading it the same way you have been for the past hour, and may catch something different.

2. Do you have too many fonts?

One font is great, Two fonts are better, Three fonts are pushing it. Think about using one font for your text and one for titles.

3. Is everything formatted consistently?

Are your times 3:00 p.m. or 3:00 pm or 3:00 PM? Are you going to list phone numbers like this 903-555-1212 or (903)555-1212 or 903.555.1212? It does not matter as much which is technically correct as you are consistent. 

4.Is the information clear and complete?

If you are telling people to contact someone, do you include the contact information? When I duplicate information from the web to a flyer I have to make sure that I remove web only text like "Click Here" for more info. Also do you have all the room numbers, dates, locations and directions?

5. Are your graphics the right size?

Luckily the printing requirements for most church office printers are not as strict as those for commercial printing. That being said I am always amazed at the number of pixelated, grainy, distorted images that appear on flyers everywhere. Remember, if a photo is too large it can always be made smaller. However if a photo is too small it cannot be made larger without losing quality. Also, when resizing your graphics make sure and keep the proportions the same.

Checking these 5 things will help to insure that you do not have to re-do and print again. It may take a little extra time initially, but will definitely save you time, money, and embarrassment in the end.

Which of these do you tend to overlook most?

What would you add to the list?