Layout making

Layout Making

Receiving a job from client
Before proceeding to layout planning we must keep in mind certain clarifications so that the final product that is delivered to the client is as per his requirements also we are able to estimate correctly the cost and the final product does not have an escalated price which will ultimately result in customer coming back to the printer. Certain questions should be recorded for reference during the layout preparation:

·  Purpose of the finished product whether it is an Information or  Reference. Whether the printed material is for personal use, for educationists, researchers, for teenagers, etc.

·  Type of paper to be used, specific font styles and typefaces demanded by client, and illustrations to  be provided by the client or by designer.

·   Type of the product a booklet, folder, bulletin, brochure, pamphlet etc.

·   Final finished size of the printed product.

·   Approximate number of pages.

·   The number of copies. The client should be informed beforehand that a minimum charge to be levied for a minimum no. of copies.

·   Whether customer to be supplied with thumbnail sketches, a rough layout, and a comprehensive layout. Please keep in mind that it is a good practice to supply the client with different layouts.

·   Estimated time of completion.

Layouts for DTP & Printing

The combined use of text and picture in a page is called a layout that includes using the heading, sub-heading, text matter, illustrations and pictures. As a printer we should always plan in advance and plan appropriately the product or job. The preparation of a complete layout requires: thumbnail sketches, rough layout and a comprehensive layout.

Advantages good planning Planning initially allows the designer to revise his or her thoughts. Printed work is often completed in less time and each person who performs a mechanical function leading to the final product knows their job. Questions are kept to a minimum.

Planning helps us to check for spelling errors, wording, and placement of material accurately, otherwise changes at the final stage will lead us to high values of correction in the final product which is not favourable for the author nor for the printer. It is a must that specifications of the client are accurately met which results in high-quality final product and customer satisfaction.

Layout ProcedureThe sequence of preparing layout materials is drawing thumbnail sketches, rough layout, and comprehensive layout. Several thumbnail sketches are usually prepared before final design is accepted by the client. Thumbnail sketches includes a rough description showing the placement of pictures, text in a page.

Once thumbnail sketch is finalised by the client, next step includes the preparation of the rough layout. Here the layout is made generally of the same size as the final product and contains all of the copy (text matter) and illustrations. Though alterations are made to the rough layout by the client, here the client has a generalized idea of how the final output will be.

The comprehensive layout is based upon the general arrangements of the thumbnail sketch and the rough layout. Comprehensive layout gives the client the actual feel of the final product. The overlay sheet, that covers the layout on the base sheet generally attached to it carries the instructions used to indicate how the final product should be produced.