Why is my black colour coming out dull when printed? ( amended and updated )
As somebody who has worked in print for years, I know black can be a troublesome colour to work with when it comes to professional printing! From dull colours, noticeable banding, to the colour being milky and muted. There is a wide variety of headaches when it comes to working with black.
As a former in-house designer at a gifting company, black was a core brand colour I had to wrestle with weekly. I could have burst a blood vessel.
Black can be a royal pain to print, I feel you! In light of a recent project where I had to work with black once again, it reminded me of this post.
This post has just been given a refresh to further help and aid any budding designers or those looking to troubleshoot their problematic black print.
Why is my black colour coming out dull when printed?
As to why your colour black is coming out dull and muted. Dull black in print can be caused by mismatched colour profiles, paper types, poorly calibrated screens, working on dated screen types, wrong settings in your application, variation in printers, and professional printers using professional print equipment compared to your domestic-grade equipment. It can also be due to a lack of colour checks before sending professional artwork to print.
There can be a variety of reasons, all working in conjunction to produce a lacklustre and milky print. These reasons can be a mixture of both software and hardware-related.
To avoid dull black colours, employ a variety of techniques to remedy the issue. Such as running test prints, checking settings in your applications, and working with a printer.
If printing on a domestic printer from your home or office, remember to check that you are not running low on black ink! This can also cause dull or streaky prints.
Investigate the points mentioned above. You may need to take it a step further of look for additional help to resolve the issue.
Working with the colour black in Graphic Design for print
Black can be a trouble to work with when it comes to print, especially with all of the varying print processes, paper finishes and general variations with commercial printing machines. Ink types, screen calibrations, applications and so on – can impact your dull black when printed.
Being empathetic to how black can be problematic to print as a designer myself, both you and I want to put our best foot forward and try to reduce dull blacks and greys. Below is a list of tips and tricks to beating a dull black when printed, which just may fix the problem.
A list of tips and tricks to get the colour black you desire!
Black can be one of the most problematic colours to handle when it comes to design. Here are some tried and tested solutions I have used to remedy why your black colour is coming out dull when printed.
Tip 1 ) Fixing Black – Consider whether your black is ‘black’
Not everything needs to be pure black. There is black and there is ‘black’. This is more applicable if you are working with photography, illustration or texture and not a black as a block colour.
When working with either illustration or photography, for example, it is common for me to add tones that will either warm or cool my black colour. Black is rarely pure black in the real world. Consider whether any colour or surroundings in your image would be influenced but subtle tints. Black, not being total ‘black’ can be one of the easiest workarounds.
I have added an illustration below to show different tones and hues on a black background and colour to further illustrate my point.
Left to right – reference image below/
This image shows how tints and shades can show some almost black can work. Most things are not strictly jet black. Especially in artwork or photography.
( Left ) Flat grey black
Notice that this image is devoid of colour. Presumably, this is only in ‘greyscale’ ( older illustration ), but this still has tone and depth. The colour of this, however, could be more of a gamble when printing based on past experience. These more monochromatic greys and blacks seem to be more prone to branding in Photoshop.
( Middle ) Added tint to black
The middle circle is black with a tint of red, which again could work well in a photo that has relevant colours or tones in the image to influence this type of black. I have added a paragraph below on how to add a hue in Photoshop.
( Right )Adding a couple of subtle colours
The tint added to the circle on the far right is closer to a deep red – reddish black, but perhaps something of this nature would be truer to the nature of artwork or photography being shown and displayed?
For argument’s sake, you could consider adding a slight tint of green or yellow to test and measure.
Tip 2 ) Check Your Colours – Digital Black Colour in Photoshop
It is always wise to check your colours when working with print, generally, not only black! If your black is arriving with a murky, milky or dirty quality, check your colours by the number, not just by what you see on your screen in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.
To follow the first tip of adding a slight tint of colour can be all that is needed to remedy your dull black.
Take note of the CMYK | C=65% M=70% Y=66% K=85% for illustration purposes.
For those who would like to know, the ‘K’ is the black notice, and the black also has a lot of colouration. This is not a rich black or the sort of black used in editorial design for fonts by the way.
And an Example of using the black in the colour palette – Photoshop
Tip 3 ) Breakdown – Avoid dull black in print by checking colours digitally
Before sending your artwork to print, check that your black isn’t the wrong sort of grey or black by either opening the window above or checking that black is represented correctly only on your computer screen. In applications such as Adobe Illustrator, certain preferences will allow you to see black colours in their ‘truer’ form. You can also enable the output as shown.
Tip 4 ) Test print your black design work
Save yourself the worry and heartache and consider running some homemade test prints first. Although a home print is not a substitute for a professional print run, it is better to try and discover any issues with your black colouration before seeing it on a 1000 or so copies of your print run.
Tip 5 ) How your colour black is displayed
** IMPORTANT** This can be a significant contributing factor as to why your black colour is coming out dull when printed. There are options in various graphics programs that can be misleading when working with black. There are options that will allow you to see your black in its truer form compared to what is being shown on your computer screen.
If your black is not coming out as expected, check that your ‘Appearance of Black’ in your applications preferences is set to display blacks as required. ( see screen grab below )
Here is an example taken from Adobe Illustrator showing how a more accurate representation of black can be shown on your screen.
See the image above, notice how – onscreen – Display all blacks Accurately is set? This will help you to see how your black may come out in print. Allow yourself to see!
Tip 6 ) CMYK vs RGB vs GreyScale Printing
By default, most designers who were taught to work with 4 colour print were taught to work with CMYK. CMYK, in comparison to RGB can be seen as the poorer cousin colourwise! This is the profile you must work with most printers unless they state otherwise.
However, it is common practice for printers to work with CMYK and should follow suit with this unless stated otherwise.
RGB ( Red, Green, Blue ) is the 3 colour profile I tend to work with more now for digital and website design. RGB is also by far my favourite to work with, however, RGB is better suited to screens which can display millions of colours. You may notice that your vibrant colours and hues suddenly become dull and muted if you switch to CMYK towards the latter end of the design process. By default, RGB is best left to work with screens for final output for print. CMYK for print. Here is an example website design project where I have gone to town with RGB.
Greyscale, brace yourself for mono colours. However, this can work well for simple black and white line drawings with an absence of colour.
Tip 7 ) Work with your printer to avoid dull greys and blacks
It can pay to work closely with your printer in the first instance to avoid headaches and dull black colouration coming out in print. Ask your printer how they’d prefer to receive the artwork. Most professional brick-and-mortar printers will request that your file be supplied in CMYK and as PDF’s in the ideal world. Although that can only now be used as a guide and not a hard and fast rule.
Graphic Design Question: Why is my black print coming out dull grey and not black?
The reason that your black colour is coming out grey and not black as intended, could be that the colour is grey and not black! Certain options in your preferences in your graphics programs may be showing dark greys as black and misleading your eye.
To fix this, you will need to check that the preferences in your graphics application are enabling you to see all black colouration in its true form.
Another reason that your black is printing grey could be due to screen calibration and screen brightness.
Now less common, some of the worst screens for displaying black are TFT screens. As you can still get on some budget laptops, i would recommend rigging your laptop to a screen that enables better representation of colour and colour depth.
Although I have had to use TFT screens in a professional setting in the past, I would recommend using a screen which can show a better range and depth of colour – including black. TFT screens are awful for seeing colour in print.
Why is my black colour coming out dull when printed? Summary takeaway
The reason behind your dull black and almost grey colouring when printed could be down to a range of issues. Some of these issues and causes can extend beyond this list. It is a problem that needs a bit-by-bit approach to find out what is causing the problem in the first place.
I would check that you have your colours and preferences set correctly. Making something CMYK isn’t enough to avoid off-colouration when printing with black.
It is also worth being mindful that any web-based print of design software used for proofing can be problematic when trying to get true representation of your colour. These web programs and can deviate from typical standards used by professional printing companies.
These misrepresentations can include low-res proofs, misrepresentation of colour, and poor representation of bleed. What you see, isn’t always what you get.
Why is my black colour coming out dull when printed? Bonus Tips
Take Notice of the colour warnings when you are in the colour picker window. This could save a lot of headaches later on.
Let the printer do the legwork. Send your artwork to the printer and try to let them help you. A printer worth their salt will want to help you and have your return custom. To reinforce your expectations, send them a physical sample from your home printer – assuming you have a good-quality home printer.
A HUE, if you are working on an image with a lot of dark areas, why not add a little hue / tint of colour? 20% cyan, for example or some magenta/red for a warmer image.
Avoid working with 0, 0, 0, 100 K, as this is best reserved for font/text printing and can your work charcoal appearance. Use a ‘Rich black’ or ‘designers black’ instead. 20, 20, 20, 100 k for example.
Avoid 100, 100, 100, 100, CMYK as this is reserved for crop marks and using this colour can drown the paper – no one wants drowned paper!
Don’t be fooled. Your screen can be way out of sync with your printer. Do some tests first and see what results come from your printer. Even printing on your home printer cannot guarantee the finish you require when you send your work to print.
Why is my black colour coming out dull when printed – Other Related Topics: Design & Print
Interesting Internal links around design and design projects.
For those who are interested in knowing more about my design process and workflow, this post is for you.
My creative graphic design process is explained in 7 easy-to-follow stages.
This post offers an inside look at how I approach design projects. From designing an eye-catching theme for a board game to creating a compelling landing page for a website, this step-by-step overview highlights my workflow and processes as a designer.
Design is a journey, and this is how I travel.
I advise anybody who is showing an active interest in working with me to take note of this post and try to read and consume as much of the information as possible. This post can also be hugely beneficial to those who have never worked with designers before and would like to understand the creative process.
I believe much of my design process is not too dissimilar to that of many other ‘creative’ and idea-based designers. However, I would also like to add that not all designers are the same. Our minds, education, and career paths can shape how we approach creative challenges.
I like to present myself as a ‘conceptual designer’ in a freelance and business setting. Offering ideas and solutions with a capable hand in delivering these ideas.
Having worked with a mixture of start-ups and companies with a history in product development, this has sculpted my approach and techniques when it comes to graphic design.
Does Graphic Design Have & Structure?
It should! Design for the most part, is applied and used in commercial environments. Be it for selling a product, an idea, or to convey some sort of message through the visual medium.
Graphic design can also play a pivotal part in the product itself. With this in mind, it should have some form of workflow and process and not be left to chaotic creativity alone. The creative process of design should, adhere to a structure that enables it to meet a brief with a precise outcome.
This need not inhibit creativity… On the contrary! A process can help the design with a mutually assured aim between the client setting the brief and the designer!
As an example, I have attached an image from the Aardman project were involved with. You can read more in the post.
My design process, whether for a board game, a crowdfunding campaign page, or digital content! Relies on a professional structure for both creating something that is ‘on brief’ and manages the project and client’s expectations in a piecemeal and controlled manner. As a designer and business owner, I try to avoid unexpected surprises.
My Creative Graphic Design Process – Table Of Contents
At these junctions, I encourage the client to approve what is shown and discussed before proceeding with the journey. You can imagine this as a fork in the road or a crossroads in which I will also act as a guide and sherpa. This method enables me to put my best foot forward and enables the design direction to remain focused. ( We don’t want to veer too far off the beaten path! )
Please see my information graphic for this stage of my creative design process!
1 ) Getting To Know The Client – Admin & Project Set Up
This is a crucial step in the process as with the rest of the steps. This also forms part of the pre-preparation stage.
This very first stage – which could easily be called step ‘0’ – is where all paperwork is signed, and documents are filled. It is all part of the grand plan.
In this step, I will also try to learn more about the client, their business intentions, and their project.
At this stage, I may or may not have already spoken to a client based on an initial discovery call. This call is to learn more about you or them, and whether I can help with the project.
From this call, I will either advise and offer my paid consultation service first, which can save money in the long term, or act as a bridge stage before the client fully commits to a project and budget. Or if they are ready, the steps will involve moving toward making a full project.
It is also important in this stage to discuss the matter of payment and when these payments need to be made.
Itemised examples of what will / may happen in this stage
Signing documents
Discussing what documentation needs to be created
Arranging payment and payment terms
Scope of work
Discussing copyright
And other administrative stages.
2 ) Collect Information, Research and Study Competition
After the correct paperwork is completed and signed, the in-depth creative stages of the design process can begin.
At this point, ask if you already have reference materials, images, fonts or pieces of relevant information for the project. I could also ask if you have any more research materials or ideas that could contribute to the design.,
In addition to this, I will likely carry out my own research to further buffer my inspiration and ideas.
I will also utilise this opportunity to study relevant competition to further guide my hand and thought process.
There are many synonyms I would like to use to describe this first phase of the design process. However, I feel the most accurate description would be ‘rough designs, iterations, or ideas‘.
You can also call it :
Sketching ideas, creating first roughs, hashing out ideas, getting ideas down on paper – any other associated wording to say ‘Rough’ ideas, and feeling my way through the early phase of a project. It is in this stage that I get into my stride of a project and immerse myself in the project.
Here are a couple of examples that my past clients were kind enough to allow me to use.
No design drafts at this stage are final or polished, nor am I precious about the proofs presented.
These first drafts are the foundational step in orienting the design direction of the project.
To further illustrate how this step works in the design process…
– With these early drafts, I will often refer to items on an art board with ‘A, B, C, D’. This is to help both me and the client to reference what design or designs we think are the strongest. It helps with communication.
Example 1 ) If ‘B’ is selected, I will then ‘develop ‘B’ and invest more time and energy to ‘make good’ that rough idea.
Example 2 ) Based on this early stage of creating rough designs, if a client says they like ‘B’ with elements of ‘D’ I will remain in this phase and create another idea based on that feedback. However, the more iterations created, the more time and budget are required. If there is more experimentation, this is likely to inflate time and budget, even more so if this is repeated a couple of times.
Creative Graphic Design Process – More examples of the ‘ideas phase’
To further illustrate this idea phase, here are some more samples of what can take place:-
Rough sketches and drawings on paper
Rough digital drawings
Scribbles ( Very, very early exploration of ideas )
Initial digital mock-ups ( as proof of concept )
Loose thumbnails ( small drawings )
A selection of ideas with labels
Annotated concepts showing reasoning
These are all tools and approaches required and used on a case-by-case basis for a client when working on a design project.
4 ) Developing the Initial Idea Towards A Final Design | Development
This phase is not unlike the 3rd phase on first appearances. There are, however, some key differences in this stage which ought to be mentioned.
1 idea is usually selected and developed ( built upon ). This is not the stage to be hashing out new ideas or rough ideas. If I do find myself or the client trying to create new ideas in this stage, I will inform them that I will need to roll back a step to do this.
I try to steer my clients into making idea decisions early!
As mentioned in stage 3. This is both for my own sanity and the clients, to control the flow and time frame of a project.
This is the stage of building upon the best idea and honing in on that particular idea, not to experiment with new ones. But in reality, eureka moments can come along! That is the nature of the creative journey.
2. simplify the differences between stages 3 and 4 :
Ideas generation = to create a range of rough ‘ideas’
Develop that idea = to improve one of the short-listed ideas
The Creative Graphic Design Process – Developing The Winning Idea!
1 idea was selected! That awesome idea for a cover, board game design, box, or something else. Now the sole focus is all in on that single idea. An idea in which all energy and concentration are now focused. The idea that is to be ‘developed’ – made good, in other words.
( Typically ) 1 idea has been short-listed and selected. This is based on client feedback and whether this idea adheres to the brief.
From here, I will take the rough design, either polish it and make good of the artwork for the final stages of the process.
Or
I will amend that design based on the feedback from the ideas stage. I will then present this to the client for approval.
Creative Graphic Design Process Scenario… Based On Past Experiences
I wanted to share a real scenario when explaining my creative graphic design process and spilling the proverbial beans. This is not an exact re-enactment. This fictionalised scenario.
Imagine the following :
Client: “ I really like A, not B. I like elements of idea C… is it possible to combine elements of both A, C and see where this leads?”
Designer ( Me ): “I don’t see why not, I’m happy to send this version across, but it may take a bit of time to mend, and there is no saying if that will work. ”
As a side note, if I think something will look utterly terrible before doing it, I will often voice this – if they are willing to listen.
Client: “ Okay, let’s see what that leads!”
Designer: “Keep in mind that this may add to the cost. if you have more feedback as to why you feel that a mixture of the above applies, let me know.”
Client “Okay… see where it goes. I feel that X and Y work because they are closer to business intentions and, I plan to do X in 6 months.”
In this scenario, I will create another rough version to be sent to the client. Based on client feedback, I proceed from there. If the artwork is given a green light or some seal of approval. I will then take this to what is essentially the final creative stage.
5 ) Refine, Polish, Tweak ( Fine Tuning )
From the previous step, if the core of the work is ‘nearly there,’ I will then progress the design to completion.
This refining or fine-tuning stage may involve the following:-
Slight adjustments to the alignment of objects
Checking colours are as they should be
Minor tweaks to the visuals
Checking that images, etc, are embedded
The artwork is moving towards the steps for delivery
Morning towards file preparation
* Warning – THIS is not the stage for significant changes! *
The latter stages of a design project are not the time for last-minute changes, complete revisions, whims, or overhauls!
Doing so would require me or other designers with a similar design process to go back to stage 2 or 3 and restart from there.
This costs time and money, and big changes are best made at the start and middle, not the end.
So, don’t rewrite the brief at the end or partway through unless absolutely essential! This can be costly and can cause headaches for all concerned!
This is why I request written signs of approval for EACH stage of the creative journey. This is to mitigate and discourage knee-jerk decisions and changes at the 11th hour.
Any significant changes to the design, be it a concept, is in essence a roll-back… and will delay the project and incur costs.
Last-minute design changes happen but are best avoided for those who are conscious of cost.
Here are some reasons why, on rare occasions, this ‘does’ happen.
The client has had a change of heart
The client has new ideas they want to explore (late)
Another person of control has manifested late in the project
The client is listening to another person’s opinion ( or too many opinions )
Something has been realised later in the project, whereby it requires changes
This is the reality of professional design. Setbacks can also arise from various external factors outside both the client’s and designer’s control.
6 ) Final Draft For Approval ( What Is The Final Draft In Design? )
When referring to graphic design, the final draft will represent the final form and iteration of that particular design. The final green light!
A written sign of approval, such as ‘greenlit’, ‘complete’ ‘finalised’, or anything in written form to say they are explicit in their satisfaction with the work. Then it is the next step of packaging the design project for handover.
*For myself and as part of my professional service. I will require a client to give a sign of explicit written approval.
7 ) Package Deliverables – Give it to the client – Handover
The very last step in my creative graphic design process, and something that should be included if the process is to be told in full.
Packaging up your project and handover.
Handover will take place once I have been given the very last sign of approval, and my final invoice has been paid. Once this has all taken place, generally, I will ‘Zip’ the project assets that the client needs and transfer the final artwork to the client.
To further illustrate what this package may contain, it may resemble the following :
JPGs, PNGs, PDFs, Illustrator (AI ) Files, and Photoshop files (PSDs) to name a few. It will depend on what is written in the brief and what the client requires. This should be stipulated in the ‘specification and agreement’ at the start.
Question | Are there factors that can impact the design process?
My creative graphic design process, like other design processes, can have factors that impact it, as mentioned throughout this post. For example, if there are multiple parties involved in the approval, this can extend the budget required.
Change in project scope partway through a project can impact it, and very human factors can impact it. Such as a client being unable to pay, sickness, or general personal reasons from either party.
Final thoughts about my graphic design process
Avoiding misunderstandings is a priority. Both for my benefit and for the clients. As this post is to highlight and illustrate how my creative process works – I should also draw your attention to how the actual journey and design process can manifest in the real world.
The path is not a straight line…
It is more of a meandering path of process of elimination, whittling down the design ideas so only the strongest are left for selection.
You could also say it is reminiscent of a carving. You may begin with building up the materials and layers for the base form. Once this is set, it can be a case of reducing the form until the final artwork emerges.
How to fix broken text boxes in Indesign! Do not despair friend! This list of troubleshooting solutions offers a range of fixes, mends, and workarounds when editing text boxes in Indesign. Be it for card games, rulebooks or any other type of editorial design project that uses text boxes.
Whether you are a professional editor, a design tinkerer, or a new Indesign user! This list may have the solution you need to fix your Indesign woes.
Each answer has also been written in easy-to-follow, bite-sized chunks.
To fix your editorial woes in Indesign, you may need to investigate whether certain elements are locked or if there is structure and ordering issues in the document. Or is it a cluster of problems preventing you from editing your text.
How to fix broken text boxes in Indesign
Short and to the point. This article focuses solely on the ‘editing’, fixing and troubleshooting of text boxes problems in Indesign.
For those who have come to this post from my ‘how to edit the text on your card artwork‘, this article may be perfect for helping you to navigate your Indesign headache!
Here are some problems and solutions I have written up from using Indesign over the years while editing cards and various editorial projects.
Jump Menu: How to fix broken text boxes in Indesign
One of the best ways to tackle the problem of why you can’t edit the text in your document is to adopt a piece-by-piece approach to finding out why!
This may seem overwhelming at first, but don’t be put off! Using a systematic and step-by-step approach to fix your text box will hopefully have you editing text before long. Ultimately, it does come down to what is causing the issue.
How to fix your broken, locked, or hidden text frame in your Indesign document. Most common causes:-
The text box or text frame may be locked
The text box is on a locked layer
A master page may be preventing you from editing your text
Your text box is behind or underneath something else
The layer stack needs adjusting
There is too much text for the text frame
Diagnosing Broken Text Boxes Causes In Indesign – Checklist
When investigating how to fix broken text boxes in Indesign, the process of elimination can be a great way to help you problem-solve. Use this checklist to see what could be causing the issue and then decide what action needs to be taken to fix the text box.
This checklist graphic is free to save to your desktop for future reference.
Core Issue & Frustration Number 1 – Why Can’t I Edit A Text Box In Indesign!?
I covered this question in a previous post ( editing card artwork ). For the sake of clarity, I have built upon that answer in this post in detail.
Some of the most likely reasons you cannot edit your text box in Indesign, is because the ‘text frame’ is either locked, the layer is locked, or you are trying to edit a page that is locked inside a master page template. Your textbox issue can also arise from a mixture of reasons mentioned prior, which can compound the problem further and make it trickier to diagnose and resolve.
When diagnosing the root cause of your text box problems in Indesign, avoid doing so by damaging your project if possible.
Working destructively as you investigate the cause of your textbox problems may resolve one problem but cause others in the process.
Examples of working destructively in Indesign
Damaging or ruining the master template page
If it is one text box you are trying to fix and edit on ‘one page’, don’t edit and ruin the master page to fix it! Doing so can make changes across all pages based on that master page. Take care when editing master pages.
Pulling everything out of the way to repair your text box
This is akin to metaphorical open heart surgery on your Indesign project. Sometimes, it is required, but try to avoid this approach if possible.
Working destructively, as mentioned above, should only be treated as a last resort instead of as a first action! Working in this way can cause more headaches and problems than the initial fix required for your text box.
Tip – When trying to resolve an issue such as to why you can’t edit a text box. It is always wise to work on a ‘child version’ or a copy of your document – especially if it was created by somebody else. This will keep the original intact in case you need to come back to it.
Why has the text box frozen while editing it?
A ‘frozen’ text box or an unresponsive text frame in Indesign can be caused by reasons inside or outside the program.
If the text box has ‘frozen’ or is only semi-responsive. This could be caused by hardware, software, or by the limitations of your computer. In short, Indesign doesn’t have enough resources to function correctly. Speaking as a Mac and PC user, this can cause lagging, freezing and ‘jittery’ behaviour in Indesign.
Here is a detailed breakdown of what can cause this unresponsiveness in Indesign :-
Your computer isn’t powerful enough to run Indesign
You have an old computer
Software updates may be required
Graphic card issues
Program conflicts
Strange compatibility issues
Not enough RAM
There could be a whole host of other technical and processing power issues causing the text box freeze. It may be best to speak to an IT professional to see if they can help. If this is not an option, please read on.
Buying new hardware, may not be a valid option for now… but this may not be the end of the road for a temporary fix.
These are inexpensive quick-fix solutions I have used when handling unresponsive or frozen text boxes in Indesign.
1 ) Fixing & Freezing Text Box – Freeing Ram / Processing Power
If it is a performance issue that is impacting Indesign, consider closing unnecessary applications to free RAM and processing power.
Based on my experience as a designer, I have found that closing processor-hungry programs can drastically increase the performance of other graphics-intense programs on an iMac,
For optimal performance, I will occasionally ‘only’ have Indesign running to allow all resources to pool into the program. Especially for bigger projects.
2 ) Fixing Freezing Indesign Text Boxes –The Browser Conflict
I would struggle to tell you the exact reason as to why this causes issues – that is a question for an IT professional. Browsers such as Firefox can cause conflicts with Indesign and other Creative Cloud applications when running on my older iMac. ( eg also causing my Wacom to freeze and stop working in Illustrator.)
A resolve I have found works for me when working on card games in Indesign: close my web browser – Firefox.
While Firefox is open, this can cause lagging or latency in Indesign. The best solution I have found is to close the web browser in the background for the duration of working in Adobe Indesign. Drastic and annoying, maybe, but needs must!
*I would love to know why this causes conflicts with Indesign and other Adobe Creative Cloud programs; sadly, I have no idea why!
Part 2 – Fixing Text Frames Due To Locking – How to fix broken text boxes in Indesign
This section offers an in-depth breakdown of locking and unlocking particular elements of your Indesign document, specifically textboxes.
Locked ‘anything’ in Indesign can be some of the most frustrating and banal editorial headaches. Thankfully, as it is commonplace and the fixes can be relatively straightforward!
Textbox could be on a ‘locked layer’ – How to unlock layers
You can’t edit anything on a ‘locked’ layer in Indesign, including text frame / textboxes if they are on that locked layer!
Text frames placed on ‘locked layers’ must be unlocked to be edited.
If your layer is locked, this can be resolved by the following:-
In the ‘layers tab’ on your interface window. Check that the padlock is set from ‘on’ to ‘off. ‘
The ‘open’ or ‘closed’ padlock icon in your layers window represents whether that layer is locked or unlocked. ( See illustration below. )
Press the padlock on the corresponding layer to unlock it. Be mindful not to unlock something that should remain locked.
Your Text Frame Itself Could Be Locked – Unlock The Text Frame
The text frame itself could be locked. If this is the case, you will need to unlock it!
The solution to unlocking the text frame in your Indesign document can be relatively simple:
Go to –
Top menu ( top bar of your Indesign interface )
Check the drop-down for the ‘Object’
Select ‘Unlock all on spread’
If this was the reason as to why you couldn’t edit your text frame or select it, unlocking all of the spread may resolve the issue.
If this does not fix your issue, consider the options below.
Part 3 – Fixing Your Text Box in Indesign – Other ‘Non-Locking’ Issues
If your text box headaches are not due to locked text frames or locked layers, another culprit is likely at play.
Below are more troubleshooting solutions for mending your text boxes in Indesign, whether you are working on game card artwork, a rule book, or something else. These are alternative fixes.
Fixing half the text that had gone missing from the text box
The text box could be behind something else
You may need to ‘override’ the master page properties to access your textbox
You have checked whether or not your layer is locked, and it appears to be unlocked.
A potential culprit could be the ‘master page. ‘ The master page acts as the template and ‘rule maker’ for all pages in your document, from the position of your text boxes to titles to various other elements. Editorial designers can create multiple master pages if they are working with 3 or 4 types of pages.
Master pages are a great time-saving measure for large projects and are superb for making your desired pages or cards adhere to a consistent set of guidelines. But, if you are unfamiliar with them, they can seem to be an object of annoyance and obstruction.
There is a simple solution to edit the page or card without damaging the ‘master page. ‘
Try the following:-
Select the card or page from your pages panel ( all items are treated as a page in Indesign )
Right-click the page
Then select “Override Master Page Properties” as illustrated below
*Do not override and edit the ‘actual’ Master Template unless you intend for those changes to be applied to all pages of cards that are based on that master page. It can be easy to ruin your project if you do not practice care!
Make sure to keep a backup of your project. Making changes to the ‘master page’ ( master card ) will carry that change across all your pages or cards. Make sure to override only the page you want to edit and NOT THE MASTER PAGE! Unless that is your intention.
Half of the text is missing from the text frame, and now there is a little red square in the corner in Indesign!
If there is a little red square found at the bottom of your text frame, this is saying that not all of your text can fit in that single frame size. To remedy this in Indesign, there are a couple of fixes.
Your copy ( text ) needs to overflow into another text box, or that original text box needs to increase in size. This will allow more room for the text to show.
You can also consider scaling down the size of your font to allow all the text to fit.
Alternatively, you can reduce the amount of copy to fit into the text box in Indesign. However, this may not be a popular option when working with editors!
A final solution is to select that ‘little red box’ on the edge of your text frame and link it to another text frame! Allowing room for the hidden copy to flow into the second box. Doing so will show the rest of the missing text in the second text frame you have just linked to.
Keep in mind that this is more applicable if you are working on a project such as a rulebook; this may not be applicable to certain projects, such as editing cards for a game.
My text frame in Indesign is unlocked but appears stuck behind something ( It’s behind you! )
This can be an annoying and somewhat frustrating problem to have when trying to fix your text boxes. A simple case that your text frame in question is behind another object!
There is an object in front of your text box, be it another empty text box or an image frame. This prevents you from editing your primary text box properly. ( a design mess! )
There are a few simple ways to diagnose and remedy this problem.
If you can select other items in your Indesign document, be it card artwork, other text frames or images, this would infer that the project is still in working order.
If you can’t select any items on that particular page or card artwork, it could be the case that ‘all the items are locked. ‘
Alternatively, the page or card in question may need to break away from the master page by overriding the master page properties.
Lastly, if you can select other items on the page but can’t select a particular text frame you wish to edit, it could be the following :-
That textfame is locked
*The text frame is behind another object
The layers need reordering so that your text frame sits at the top/front of your layers
To reach your text frame in Indesign, you need to adjust the layer on which it is positioned or unlock the text frame itself.
*Or move the text frame to the front of your pile.
‘Is‘ your text frame behind something else?
Moving the object that blocks your textbox to the front or back is a simple fix. But, at first if it appears that nothing appears to be moving. Consider this:-
2 – Check that your text box is not under a layer ( this differs from being behind an object on the same layer ).
3 – Check that it is not locked in some other manner
If you think your object is potentially stuck on a layer or underneath another layer, read the following.
How to fix a text box stuck behind something in Indesign – solution
If your text frame or text box is placed ‘under’ another layer, this can be a reason as to why it appears stuck behind something else.
Solution: Consider reordering your layers so that the layer with the text box is at the front of the stack. Re-ordering the layers may enable you to edit your textame or textbox without further conflict or issue.
Having your layers stacked incorrectly can prevent you from editing what you need to due to the object in question being beneath another layer. The layer in front of your text box may also have editable content, which further exacerbates the problem of not being able to edit your text.
You can adjust your layers manually via the layers window by moving the layer that the text box is on up and down the stack.
How to fix a text box if it is behind an object on the same layer in Indesign
If you keep selecting an object that appears to be in the way or on the top of your textbox, consider moving the offending object towards the back. ( and shout at it for good measure to vent your rage! You may, however, have to say sorry to colleagues.)
Simple fix.
You can change the arrangement of objects by right-clicking and selecting ‘arrange’ from the menu. Then select either ‘send to back’ or ‘send backward’.
Play with the object arrangement until the text frame is exposed and accessible.
Try sending the obstructing object to the back, exposing the text box you are trying to edit.
Bonus Tip – crude yet effective hack – digging for your textbox!
A last resort. If all else fails when trying to fix an arrangement textbox issue in your Indesign project, a somewhat destructive investigation of your textbox may help identify the issue.
In essence, this resembles digging your textbox or text frame out from the rest of the page content so that you may identify and fix the issue. But this method comes with consequences.
Tecniques: Move the offending object or objects that are obstructing your text box to one side for the short term. You can always move these off your card artwork or rulebook for safekeeping. It may be wise to take a screen grab so you can remember where everything has been placed.
If your textbox is stuck behind another text box or image frame in Indesign, this may help in identifying the issue.
*This method will only work if something is blocking your text frame and it’s not as a result of the text frame being locked.This is also a destructive way of problem-solving.
If you can now select the text box, this signals a few things to you:
You can select the text box and move it – it’s probably not locked or on a locked layer.
If you can move the textbox around, this would infer the issue resides either in the layers or the object is behind something.
If it is the latter, experiment with ‘layer order’ or ‘object arrangement’ by sending the object blocking your text box to the back. Or investigate the layer order.
Hopefully, the solutions above will help you fix your broken or dysfunctional text boxes in Indesign. If you have found this post helpful, feel free to share and save it to our faves for future reference.
Here is the list of contents you can cross-reference again while you are troubleshooting the issues:-
Jump Menu: How to fix broken text boxes in Indesign
** Reference – In this post, ‘text box’ and ‘text frame’ are 2 of the same thing in this document for clarity. ( Fixing broken text boxes in indesign )
Helpful related links when working on game cards, rules, or Indesign in general – How to fix broken text boxes in Indesign
As in the creative process used by professional Graphic Designers.
This is a common question I hear from both new and old clients. I have illustrated this article to educate and explain the basics of the ( a ) graphic design process.
Before providing a generalised overview of ‘what a graphic design process’ is, and how it works, I wanted to dispel some common misconceptions about the graphic design process and discipline as a whole.
Conceptual graphic design does, or should have a process.
Graphic design isn’t just about making things look pretty. It needs style and substance. It should have an objective.
Good or relevant graphic design does not manifest from thin air.
Commercial graphic design is different from just ‘pure art’ and expression.
Graphic design existed long before the Adobe Creative Suite.
Those are some points I wanted to raise and resolve before going into the details of how a Graphic Design process works for many designers in a commercial setting.
So…
What is a Graphic Design Process? ( Short Answer )
A graphic design process is a series of steps Graphic Designers use to create visual content. This content can come in the form of logos, advertorial, online media, and print collateral. The design process will typically run in stages, often starting with the project brief and objective, the creation of ideas, through to development of the final artwork.
The design process is not only great for managing the workflow and adhering to a design brief in an efficient manner. It is also a great way for both the client and designer to explore the possibilities and potential outcomes of the design journey.
As part of the process, It is common for experienced Graphic Designers to assess a brief, plan a course of action for the design, and execute what needs to be created. While also keeping an open line of communication.
It is common for some Senior Designers ( and some Junior designers ) to openly discuss their design aims so that objectives set by a client, team lead, or managers.
As a breakdown, these steps may resemble the following – depending from designer to designer.
That is, of course, a simplification of how a graphic design process works as a commutative approach across the industry. Each company is different, as is each designer and sub-discipline with ‘design’. As well as Graphic Design.
My bias and perspective on the design process
Before going into the details of my design process in steps, I felt it responsible to mention to you as a reader, I work and have worked in graphic design.
Before becoming a ‘Freelance Designer’, I worked in-house at a company for over 8 ¾ years. During this time I had the opportunity to work on a broad variety of graphic design projects both online and offline. I learned a lot. I could have cried sometimes too!
My skills, my processes, and my steps had a significant influence on my previous employers. Not only just on creating the final design but in the processes that lead to that final design. This post is not about my skills and experiences, that is what CVs and about pages can be used for.
What is a Graphic Design Process? | The Caveats
1 ) Not all graphic designers work in the same way.
2 ) Some designers are at different points in their careers.
3 ) Some Graphic designers have worked in different sectors and industries.
4 ) It is quite likely that you will meet multi-discipline designers who may have a mish-mash of the process illustrated in this post.
All and more of the factors above can influence how a designer works. Please keep this in mind.
Graphic Design Process Diagram | Illustrated Explanation
Below is a simplified diagram of the graphic design process used by many Graphic Designers, including myself. Although this is a simplified version of the core workflow and processes, it does offer a simple overview of the whole design process employed by many graphic designers.
Graphic Design Process Steps – Overview
This is a breakdown of the design process and core stages. Each paragraph explains each step in detail and allows you to read and re-read certain stages at your leisure.
Stage 1 ) The Graphic Design Brief
The ‘brief’ is a crucial part of a design project, be it in Graphic Design or any similar field. The design brief is an opportunity to establish core goals and objectives for a project – normally set out by a client or business owner.
You can also imagine the ‘brief’ as setting a mission. This mission is given to a designer so they know what the aim of the project is. Without one, the end objective of what a design needs to achieve is left to costly guessing and piecemeal assembly of what needs to happen.
A design brief is very important. You shouldn’t work without one.
How can you or a designer find a solution when neither party can establish what the problem is?
Or… what the aim of the project is?
It is also harder to plan a budget for a project without one.
It is best to establish a clear brief as early as possible. This will save time, headache, and money for both designers and those setting a project.
What happens if you work without a design brief?
Without a brief – especially a written and mutually agreed one, proper communication between the designer and the person setting the brief is more likely to fail. This lack of clarity can also lead to the disintegration of a working relationship, poor budget control, and potential and unnecessary resentment between both parties.
Make sure to create a brief.
A brief can act as a mutual ‘project map’ to establish what, when, and how a design project needs to be fulfilled.
As for myself, I will often refer back to a brief or a “specification and agreement” to see what I’m working towards with the client. It could be regarded as a loose recipe to follow also for want of a better analogy.
1.1 Quickfire Tips For Constructing a Basic Design Brief
When creating a design brief for a graphic design project, try to consider some of the following :
Who?
What?
Why?
These are all things I consider when working on a design project.
When creating a brief you may wish to consider formats, mediums, and any restrictions or limitations that may impact the project. It is better to give detailed thought at the beginning, rather than part way through.
The “Who, What, and Why” can act as a great starting point and framework for creating a brief. If you can establish the who, what and why. Designers such as myself can establish the how and the details – it can help us better solve problems or avoid them altogether.
However, it is not also uncommon for me to collaborate and consult a client and the, who, what and why. It can be this that helps to craft a brief and point the client in the right direction.
Graphic designers don’t know your business!
The majority of designers, most likely, won’t understand your business as much as you do, especially if working on short-term freelance project.
When constructing your brief, it is better to assume that a new designer, or a designer you haven’t worked with previously, knows absolutely nothing about your business. From here, write all that is relevant to share with the designer in translating your initial thoughts into a well-rounded, well-described brief, with a clear direction.
Stage 2 ) Collecting Information & Research | An Important Stage In The Graphic Design Process
When looking at the stages and steps to a graphic design process, collecting together information, data, files, images, and text are all important aspects of the creative process. Especially when exploring new ideas.
The degree to which research is carried out for a graphic design can vary from project to project, but there are common patterns that are adhered to by many designers.
The preliminary research can be carried out by the client, designer, or both parties. In this stage, it can be a case of collating together: photos, data, logos, or anything that is useful in aiding the designer to create a compelling piece of visual design.
*Designers: When working with clients, encourage them to share research or at least mention that time will need to be set aside for research projects, this is something I do. I have listed some examples of what may be collected together for graphic design research.
2.1 ) Collecting Information
Collecting information together for a design project may consist of the following:-
Data
Photography
Fonts
Logos
Things can inspire
Plans
Initial copy or ‘text’ is a common requirement for design projects. As a designer, I tend to request this as early as possible so I can plan the space around and accommodate the word volume. This can apply to books, webpages, and many other mediums that require written words for the project.
It is quite common for a designer to also be aware that a certain amount of editorial changes are likely to arise later in the project and allow for wriggle room. It is still best practice to have as much of the word count calculated sooner rather than later.
Images and photography may also be sourced or collected together in the early stages of the design process, along with logos and brand guidelines.
2.2 ) Graphic Design Research
Research, or ‘design research’ is an important stage when it comes to the design process. Research can help form, inspire and guide the overall direction of a project.
For large or medium-sized projects, research is a vital tool in not only greasing the design wheels of your project but in helping to form a better more polished product. I am a big advocate for good research across various mediums, design being a key one.
Here are some examples of what the design research stage may consist of, noting that the criteria can vary from project to project and designer to designer.
What design research may consist of :
Studying competition.
Searching areas such as Pinterest, magazines of similar platforms for certain ideas.
Checking what types of design will appeal to your target market.
Looking for any relevant or inspirational criteria that can impact your final design.
Avoiding accidental copyright infringement.
Considering what courses of action will serve the project.
These are just some examples of what the design research phase may include.
Some freelance designers may prefer that the client does the majority of the research before contact. This can leave the designer to focus solely on the creative aspects of a project. I am of split opinions.
On one hand, I like to know that the client has at least carried out some basic research for their own product and business before speaking to me.
On the other hand, I also like to add to the research and build upon what the client has already found the further steer the course of a project, I tend to tweak and steer this from brief to brief.
Research Examples | Core Design Process
With the links below, I have pointed to where you can read more on case studies and research I used for some projects.
Here are a couple of links that may be of interest :
“On the other hand, designers have to be realistic. People change their minds.”
It is common practice for graphic designers, especially those of a more conceptual vein, to come up with an idea or a selection of ideas early in a project. However, strictly speaking, this is not a default practice for all designers.
Some designers may only work with one idea and revise this single idea as opposed to working with a variety of ideas and short-listing the strongest.
Depending on fees, time, and requirements, design ideas (ideation), can vary drastically in quality and finish. Each designer may only create a short selection of ideas and others may create a broader selection of ideas to illustrate intent and potential avenues a project can take.
In the earliest stages of ideas creation or ‘ideation’, what is presented may be little more than a rough drawing or digital sketch to illustrate what will be created.
Speaking for myself, I will often use this stage to discuss what has been created and why I have made the choices I have made. Here is an example idea.
Each designer is different, and our tools and methods may differ. But as a generalisation, design ideation may be presented in the following formats :-
The idea and the idea development stage can blur when it comes to developing a design.
To illustrate this flow – here is an image from another blog post – Design Journey.
For many conceptual-based graphic designers, the idea stage is a core stage in the design process. As a conceptual design. Here are to projects and case studies that may further illustrate how a project may go.
( Important ) The Ideation Stage May Need To Be Revisited
*There is no guarantee that the original ‘proof of concept’ from the selection of ideas will become the final product. Although costly, time-consuming and frustrating, it is not uncommon that a designer will need to backtrack to this pivotal stage once a project is near completion. I have on occasion had to do this on graphic design projects.
List of reasons as to why a graphic designer may need to revisit the ideas stage:
Executive discussion outside of design influences has come into play
Senior management wants to revisit or change course
An idea isn’t as good as originally hoped
New criteria and information have come into play that weren’t known before
Fussy clients
Too many people have differing opinions on a project
Weak project planning or thought given to the brief in the first place
A better idea came along
These are just some of the reasons why a designer may need to return to the proverbial drawing board.
Whoever said design was easy needs to actually work in design, or at least share their secrets to make it easier for them.
Revisiting or needing to backtrack to the ideas stage of a design project is sometimes required – there is no way to avoid it. However, it is best avoided for the sake of the client and the designer. Budget restrictions and time constraints can lead to rows between both parties if, for example, the culprit is a poorly written brief or the disregard for the sign-off stages.
On the other hand, designers have to be realistic. People change their minds.
If the design journey was a straight line, both the designer’s and the client’s lives would be a lot easier. Many internal and external forces will require a designer to revisit other ideas, even if the first choice was put into play.
Do all graphic designers create a range of ideas? ( Ideation )
No, not all graphic designers will create a range of ideas for your brief. As mentioned above, it will vary from designer to designer and from skill level to skill level. Not all graphic designers are conceptual designers. Some graphic designers will have certain leanings towards ‘creative artworking’ , marketing, etc.
It is beneficial to discuss with a graphic designer before embarking on a project. Ask about their process and methods. Make sure there is a clear brief between the designer and the client.
Stage 4 ) Development Stages | Graphic Design Process
How this stage translates in reality will vary from designer to designer. But as a general rule – it will work accordingly.
Once both the designer and client ( or clients ) have shortlisted the preferred design idea or ideas, this will then lead to that idea being developed. Being ‘developed’, or ‘developed further’ may consist of the following actions:-
Polishing the aspects of the design
Building upon the visuals to establish the viability of a concept
Moving the design to a delivery-ready stage
In layman’s terms, the development stages translate to the spit and polish applied to the shortlisted idea. The development stage can also be further proof of concept, in which an idea is built further.
Speaking for myself, this is the stage where I straighten up text, remove burs, tweak compositions, and add the final ingredients to get a design over that proverbial line.
The later development stages are when a design moves towards completion. Be it a piece of print media or as a digital project.
Common Situations That Arise In The ‘Development’ Stages
From my own experience, the development stage is the part of the process in which an idea is stress-tested against the brief.
It not uncommon for senior managers, CEOs, business owners and anybody else in between to have additional opinions on overall design direction – some relevant, some not. This is the reality of working with humans on a design brief.
Project requirements change. What was initially established as the winning idea, does not strictly translate to what was hoped when it comes to Graphic Design. Project scope can change, and external influences can derail the path of your project – there are many various factors when it comes to design.
Even in the development stages, I have had situations in which 2 of the same idea ( colour change for example ) have been created side by side.
Imagine A Development Tree ( illustration )
Design development can be one of the heftiest stages of design. I wanted to illustrate the development flow for the mid-to-late stages of a graphic design project.
This is a scenario.
A favourite idea has been selected. This idea has been polished and presented before the ultimate decision-makers. They like the design, however, somebody wants to see the same layout but on a different background. You have run with the same idea and made some minor changes. A sub-version of a main version – sound complicated?
A single idea has been selected. This idea will make up the trunk of the flow and energy to design.
From this single idea – the trunk of a tree – a single branch or node will stem.
On some projects, as is the case with experimenting with some minor variation of core ideas. 1 or 2 twigs will stem.
These ‘Twigs’ may be little more than a colour variation, or position change. Or some minor experimentation alignment.
Development Versions
Or to further illustrate, as a tested method I have used in the past. It makes look like so:
Version 3.1
Version 3.2
Version 3.3
Or it could also look like this.
The number 3 could represent ‘Idea 3’ and the variant or version ‘1’ and 2, and 3. And so on. It is similar to version releases.
3.0 = The main version
3.1 = May equate to almost the exact same look, perhaps a text change
3.2 = Still much the same as 3, only that the text and, text colour were changed to a lesser degree
4.1 ) How to communicate with designers regarding project development
Communication is an integral part of graphic design.
The very nature of graphic design is visual ‘communication’ and open dialogue is a must to ensure that the project is the best that it can be.
Communication should not stop with the end visuals.
Not being able to keep an open and frequent line of communication between the designer and client ( or manager ) allows more room for errors, misunderstanding, and needless time wasting which could have been easily averted with conversation. I am a big advocate for working as close with a client as possible as emails alone can miss those ‘water cooler’ moments.
Communication is important from start to finish, not only in the development stages but throughout.
Typically, communication in the development stages of a project will take the form of feedback on what has already been created by the graphic designer. A client will offer a point of view as will a designer. ( hopefully ).
Communication and feedback may come in this form :
Exchanges between emails
Phone calls
Video meetings
In-person meetings
Platforms in which you can message your team
And SMS – And Whatsapp ( both of which are my least favourite lines of communication when it comes to design )
4.2 ) Design Feedback
“ Can I just ask…”
“ This is will be quick…”
When an idea has been chosen and developed, it is at this latter stage that a client, client or team member will offer further feedback with regard to a design. And, if you are a designer reading this, it is a stage in which you brace yourself.
Once the feedback has been communicated to a graphic designer, they will then respond and act accordingly to that feedback.
This feedback to the designer may resemble the following :
Make some minor tweaks and adjustments
Listening the what the client has to say and offer polite help and advice in return
Refining the design
Preparing for completion
Or potentially going back to the conceptual stages
( Or crying )
Stage 5 ) Core Design Steps – Refine Design
Refining the design typically entails polishing ‘the developed’ artwork to completion. A project will be at a level of final draft in which the artwork is ‘near ready’ to be sent to the client, production or print. This is the latter stage of a project.
Refining a design can involve minor tweaks, minor changes, or the very last touches to the design and a once-over from the person giving a sign-off.
It is common for me to hear some of the following types of phrases at this stage ( paraphrased ) :
The final stage of the process – the Sign off. This phase may seem self-explanatory, but for the sake of completeness, I will elaborate.
The ‘Sign Off’ can refer to the stage in which a head of a team ‘signs off’ a final design or interim stage of a project. This may be a verbal or written formal declaration that what is being presented, is the artwork to be passed to the next stage.
In this instance, the ‘sign off’ on the final artwork – completion.
The ‘Sign off’ in the design process may take the form of the client saying that they are happy with what they have seen and wish to sign off the whole, or part of the project.
When at this stage, It is also wise for the client to assess their artwork closely before agreeing to sign off any design work. When artwork has already been sent to print as a PDF, it can be costly or sometimes impossible to remedy any mistakes once a project has been printed. Any mistakes need to be remedied with hacks and workarounds.
This is not strictly speaking as rigid as digital design, as projects tend to be easier to remedy and amend but this is still not a guarantee.
The Graphic Design Process | What Are ‘Deliverables’?
What are deliverables in design?
Speaking in terms of graphic design, the deliverables are the complete assets and artwork made by the designer. All completed artwork, files, and supporting documents are often referred to as ‘deliverables’ or final artwork. The completed artwork and supporting items are often handed to the client or owner when a project has been marked as complete or signed off.
This is how the deliverables may come into play at the end of the graphic design process.
Once a graphic design project has been signed off or marked as complete, it is common for the graphic designers to send the final print-ready artwork to other the new owners of the artwork.
Or if working internally the designer may package the artwork into a PDF and this is passed to another department for validation and QC for being shipped or sent to print.
* It should be noted however that companies do have their own ways of validating and signing off projects, do keep this in mind.
6 .1) Scenario 1 | Design Process | What Is a Freelance Design Project Sign-Off?
‘Sign off, marked as complete, green-lighted’ or any other similar terminology can all be markers to signal the end of a project. When working with a client on a design project, I will ask the client to sign off on the final artwork before sending the final versions across.
This is a rough example of how a Freelance project process may flow towards the later stages of a project :
Client sees work
Requires small changes
These changes are then sent to a client
The client then sends across their approval, assuming that they do approve of what they see
Project is either sent to print or packaged up and passed to a client or both
6.2 ) Scenario 2 | Design Process | Internal Design Team Sign-off
As above, ‘Sign off’, ‘marked has complete’, ‘green-lighted’ or any other similar terminology can all be markers to signal the completion of a graphic design project.
A key difference based on my experience from working in-house design positions, ‘a sign-off sheet’ or an Excel spreadsheet may be used to mark off the stages or parts of a project that have been completed.
There are often more people with internal teams when it comes to the sign-off in-house who will want to see or understand the status of a project.
What is a Graphic Design Process – Conclusion
A graphic design process or workflow is a process or system in which a piece of graphic design or visual communication is created following a sequence of important steps. These steps will often include research, collection of data and information, ideation, development of an idea, and the delivery of that idea in print or digital form.
This process is what follows as the end result of what was assigned in a brief.
How to draw on the computer with a Wacom Tablet & Stylus… ( updated 2024 )
To those who have never drawn anything on a computer, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start.
Before investing my time and money in using a professional Wacom tablet, I first started out with a basic roller ball computer mouse and MS Paint. Yes, it was that long ago!
When drawing on a computer, the mouse is the first obvious tool to use. As you invest your energy and education into drawing on a computer, you will want to seek out better hardware and software to support your digital drawing journey.
The mouse should be your first step, but don’t stop there!
This post is a great introduction if you are considering using a tablet to draw on your computer.
Drawing with a tablet | overview – why use one?
One of the best ways to draw on a computer is by using a Stylus & Graphics Tablet in conjunction with a powerful art creation program. Using a tablet will afford you a greater degree of artistic freedom and finesse once you have become accustomed to the nuances and sensations of using one. However, This is also assuming that you can draw to a certain degree in the first place.
How to draw on the computer with a stylus & tablet – blue vexel ball example
How to draw on the computer with a stylus & tablet – Quickfire answer
In terms of how to use a stylus and tablet ( or ‘drawing tablet’ ) from a technical standpoint, it is typically a case of plugging your tablet into your computer, downloading and installing the latest drivers and software, and then calibrating your drawing tablet.
Once this core set-up is completed, you can then set about installing drawing in programs such as Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.
The technical setup is not that complicated when comes to how to work with a drawing tablet.
How to draw on the computer with a stylus & tablet with regards to technique.
Treat the tablet as you would a sketchpad and pencil. Apply light strokes and heavy strokes, bold strokes, and small strokes. Get used to the pressure and sensitivity of your tablet. Learn to ‘feel’ the tablet ( cringe ). And give it time.
The video below is me drawing a blue ball using a Wacom Tablet and Photoshop.
*If you have applications installed on your computer.
This is a hyper-lapse of myself creating the blue ball above – ‘vexel’ a combination of Vexel and Pixel.
For more information on how to create digital artwork on the computer, read on!
“you will need to practice, practice and then more practice.”
Tablet & Stylus – Wacom
How to draw on the computer with a stylus & tablet | Managing expectations
Not wanting to lead any readers or budding designers astray, I feel one of the first things I should touch upon when learning how to draw on a computer with a drawing tablet such as a Wacom, is managing expectations.
Although knowing the technicalities of how to draw with a stylus and drawing a tablet on a computer sounds like a golden bullet. The technicalities are only the first part of the journey when it comes to drawing on a computer.
The real knack for making your own artwork comes with practice – not the tools. A piece of high-tech equipment won’t provide you with the soulless magic results like an AI generator.
That is not how it works if you want to create your ‘own’ artwork.
To get your digital artwork or design to the place you want it, you will need to practice, practice, and then more practice.
If however, you are of an arty-illustrator vein. Then ignore what I have said above. You may take to drawing or designing on a computer like a duck to water if you are already a proficient artist or illustrator! Let your flair flourish and shine!
Here are a few examples of what I have illustrated ( drawn ) on a computer with my Wacom Tablet. Followed by some simple steps.
What I have drawn ( illustrated) with a Wacom Tablet on a computer
Step ‘0’ ) How to draw on the computer with a stylus & tablet – Be able to draw
As a pre-step, I can’t assume too much.
You will need to make sure you can draw to a certain degree with a pencil or pen before you can expect to draw on a computer with Wacom or a digital tablet. No matter what hardware you own.
If you want to create your own artwork away from AI art generators, you will need to be able to draw to some degree.
The technology and hardware, will not magic your hand and eye into creating what you want.
Even if you can only sketch, this will be a huge advantage when drawing with a stylus on a computer. This is a pre-step warning!
Step 1 ) The required equipment to draw on a computer
To draw on a computer with a tablet … you will need to own the required equipment. Or borrow. This should be a given. I have used the following bits of equipment in the past ( aside from a mouse ):
Wacom Bamboo and pen – a more entry-level drawing tablet at the time ( now legacy)
Or a Wacom Intuos Pro & Pen ( medium ), this is what I’m using at the moment.
* Or a Cintiq ( I’m jealous )
A working keyboard
A computer that is compatible with a tablet
An operating system that is compatible with your drawing tablet
*Your computer will also need to be able to run both the drivers, the tablet, and the software
Step 2 ) Understanding the type of digital art you want to create ( not genre )
When considering how to draw on the computer with a stylus & tablet, you may wish to consider the type of artwork you want to create.
This can steer the type of software required to draw on your computer. I have attached an example here.
style examples, Photoshop Vs Illustrator
You will notice the different styles above I have created using certain software with my drawing tablet. You can create certain types of finishes in varying programs.
Vector Illustration ( left blue ball )
Imagine drawing with cut-out shapes, knives, sprays and pieces and pieces. With the types of programs that allow you to draw and create vector artwork, you can create a range of slick illustrations.
With vector artwork, the appearance can appear clean and tidy. You can also scale the work up and down without loss of quality. Vector artwork lends itself well to commercial logos, large format graphics, icons, and UI’s.
Here is an example of some of my other vector artwork.
Bitmap based artwork – Raster ( right blue ball above )
You may notice the ball on the right has a more painterly feel ( refer to the illustration above). For this more textured appearance, I digitally painted this in Photoshop. Some may find this approach more akin to drawing or painting using traditional methods.
Bitmap format or digital painting in particular lends itself well to a more painterly, textured, or grainy appearance. If you have painted in acrylics for example, you may prefer this approach. But it doesn’t always lend itself so well to all circumstances in print.
Is creating digital art easy?
Yes and no, getting started with creating digital art can be very easy and low cost. Getting to a stage where you could call yourself a professional artist takes time and years of practice. The best way of getting started with creating digital art is by downloading graphics software and practicing to improve your digital drawing techniques.
I wish I could find my very first digital drawing, it was created on a Windows 3.2 in the era of the awesome floppy disk – you can read a bit about me here.
This is perhaps a topic I would like to dive into again in another post.
Digital art can be accessible with the right tools and equipment. Working with the Wacom Tablet for example can streamline the process further.
Step 3 ) What digital art software should ‘I’ use?
There are so many to pick from, but for the sake of just creating something you can call ‘digital art’, as a hobbyist begin with something you may already have, MS Paint In Windows.
Gimp Logo
There are other art programs out there that are also free such as Gimp and Krita. I have personally never used Krita but the results on the website show what it is capable of and it has also been given a recommendation from a reputable digital art magazine IFX. This magazine is dedicated to creating fantasy, digital, and traditional artwork.
Advanced digital artwork software ( what I use )
As both a designer and digital artist, I use 2 main programs to create my art and design work, these programs being: Abobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator often gives a very clean-cut appearance that you may see in books, posters, lifestyle magazines etc – this is called ‘vector art’.
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is a versatile piece of software that behaves like a drawing and painting tool and offers an intuitive workflow.
It should be noted that these programs can both be tricky to master and you may be more drawn to one than the other. You can get a free trial or purchase a subscription to use the software by going to Adobe Creative Cloud.
If you are just starting out on your journey to becoming a digital artist or illustrator, I would test a free program first.
Use the images above as a reference if you are just starting out or if this is part of a hobby. For me, it works like so.
Simple differences in what type of artwork Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator creates.
Clean cut, modern vector artwork = Adobe Illustrator
Grainly, textures, and painterly = Adobe Photoshop
How to draw on the computer with a stylus & tablet | Deciding on software
As a budding digital artist, designer, or illustrator you will want to consider how you want to draw with a Wacom Tablet. What sort of outcomes are you looking to achieve?
If you are unsure and just trying your hand at creating digital art on a computer, you may want to consider the selection like so.
Adobe Illustrator may suit you more if you want to become a designer or a clean-cut vector artist. The way a vector drawing behaves inside a program is quite different from a raster art program such as Photoshop.
Adobe Photoshop is great If you want to work as a traditionally styled illustrator, digital painter, game artist etc.
There are thousands of examples of digital artists on social media with websites and professional blogs.
This person here is a terrific vector artist and designer – Vicky Doodles
Step 4 ) Grab Your stylus, and your Wacom Tablet and start drawing
Assuming that you have now decided on the type of artwork you want to experiment with, now is the time to start using the equipment.
To continue with an overview of how to draw on the computer with a stylus & tablet. Make sure you have plugged in and installed your tablet correctly.
If you have started with Adobe Illustrator as your application of choice. I would recommend starting the tool that is in tune with the Wacom Tablet, eg the brush or pencil. My first port of call would either be the Pencil or the Brush tool.
Start making small strokes with the stylus on your Wacom and see how the stroke behaves.
Or if you prefer, start working with some of the most basic shapes first and move these around your artboard as you would with a mouse.
Short overview of how to draw with a tablet in Adobe Illustrator
1 ) Firstly you will want to start up Adobe Illustrator.
2 ) Create a new document of your choosing. You can start with A4 for the sake of experimentation.
3 ) Select the brush tool “B” and start making some marks and feel how the tablet responds to you and Adobe Illustrator. You can always undo it if you make a mess.
4 ) If you prefer, you can also try to create an image with shapes first if you are familiar with working with vector graphics.
Illustrations – working in Adobe Illustrator and making marks.
If you read on, I have also created some short exercises to play with – for free! Hopefully, these will get the juices and familiarity working when using your Wacom Tablet.
Short overview of how to draw with a tablet in Adobe Photoshop
If you have decided you would prefer to create artwork in Photoshop on your computer then this is the paragraph for you.
) Goes without saying, but open up Adobe Photoshop – and create a new document.
) Select a brush tool and start painting/ drawing onto your blank document. Remember, this is only to get used to using your Wacom Tablet and Stylus. I used black.
) Press ‘F5’ to open your “brush settings”, select a tip you like and tick “transfer”.
) Now start painting and building a feel for your Wacom tablet. Another tip, play around with the opacity to help build your brush strokes on top of one another.
When learning how to draw on the computer with a Wacom Tablet & Stylus, the snappy overview above will hopefully get you started. But, I have also created some exercises for you in the next step, to really give yourself some time when drawing with a Wacom Tablet.
5 ) How to draw on the computer with a Wacom Tablet & Stylus | Exercises
To further develop and play with your Wacom tablet. I invite to to take part in these exercises I have created for you for free. The illustrations below should guide you on what you need to do when drawing on a computer with your Wacom.
Exercise for drawing in Adobe Illustrator with your Wacom & Stylus
When practicing drawing with a Wacom Tablet, it may be easy to save and download the reference exercise above. If you want to use this for learning feel free to take it and save it to your computer. Although it cannot be used for commercial purposes. Feel free to credit and link back to this page – How to draw on the computer with a Wacom Tablet & Stylus
Exercise for drawing in Adobe Photoshop with your Wacom & Stylus
How to draw on the computer with a Wacom Tablet & Stylus | Concludes Steps
That concludes the step and general over of how to draw on the computer with a Wacom tablet & stylus. By all means, feel free to revisit the steps and stages above. Or if you feel this was a lot to remember, why not save this page as a favourite or bookmark. ( thanks )
But hey, I am not yet finished, I have also noted some key differences when drawing on a computer.
Wacom & stylus vs drawing with a mouse
If you are actually drawing on a computer with these legendary relics… Kudos to you. Image Source – Wikpedia
If you are still wavering as to whether you want to draw with a Wacom. I have gone into a little bit of additional depth. A bonus section that is a supplement to the ‘how-to’.
A computer mouse in action
This example shows the end result of some digital artwork created using a mouse in Photoshop. It’s a bit trickier to use although it’s not bad for straight lines!
Drawing with a mouse! (An Apple Smart Mouse)
I would advise moving on from a computer mouse at some stage if you are thinking of getting serious with drawing on a computer, be it for graphic design, illustration, or your own sanity.
If you are thinking of spending many hours drawing and creating digital artwork, using a different input will save on potential wrist aches.
The day I plugged in a Wacom graphics tablet, was the day I changed the way I created digital artwork on a computer. Using a drawing or graphics tablet can make the experience of creating artwork on a computer much more organic.
A Wacom & stylus in action
Below is an example of me sketching something in Photoshop using a stylus + tablet. It’s a quicker, smoother, and much more human way of creating a drawing.
Drawing with Stylus and Tablet. Handles, curves and waves, and is much easier to flow with
After using a Wacom Tablet for a few years now, I would struggle to return to drawing with a mouse. Outside the less control, the amount of RSI I used to get from drawing with a mouse, would be enough to put some off the profession.
Give a drawing tablet a try. I love them.
Summary | How to draw on the computer with a Wacom Tablet & Stylus
And that should conclude the basic overview in steps of how to draw on the computer with a Wacom tablet & stylus. As an overview, here is what we can do.
Buy a stylus and drawing tablet of your choice.
Install the hardware on your computer.
Check the drivers are up to date – calibrate the software to your computer
Download a graphics program such as Photoshop or one of free applications mentioned previously.
Open the software.
Start creating digital art!
Aside from the technicalities of the hardware, the real skill comes from lots of practice. Make sure to follow the short tutorial/exercises above to get you started with drawing your Wacom tablet.
Credits – All the best with your digital art journey and creating digital awesomeness on your computer
Thank you for reading, hopefully, this post has given you some insight into how to create digital artwork with a Wacom Tablet and an idea of tools you can use to draw on a computer.
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