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friends read and edit your copy. Run grammar and spell-checkers. Submit your copy in electronic format, as clean as possible. If you submit paper copy, the design firm will have to charge you for keystroking, as well as writing and editing.

3. Submit all photos in digital format and make sure they are good quality. For print, 300 dpi is required, while 72 dpi is fine for Web. Understand that design firms must charge you for scanning, as well as cleaning up bad photos.

4. Read proofs carefully and mark changes clearly. Take the time to thoroughly review proofs when provided. Changes later in the process can be costly.

5. When selecting paper, ask for “house stocks” where possible. Most printers have certain papers that they use frequently and for which they are able to offer better pricing.

 

6. Ask your designer to use the most cost-effective techniques to hold your costs down. You can save significant money by putting your business cards and brochures on the same paper with the same inks because they can be printed at the same time on the same sheet of paper.

7. When starting a project, work out the timeline with the designer and be certain that you keep your obligations for providing copy and returning proofs in a timely way.

8. Don’t lock the designer into one printer. Instead, ask for at least three printing bids from qualified printers. Most designers, if asked, will include a printer with whom you have a relationship.

9. With the help of the Web designer, think through the full structure for your site in advance. Structural changes after the site is launched can be costly.