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How to Write a Design Brief for Foil Printing: A Complete Guide
When it comes to creating stunning metallic foil prints, the design brief is the first and most crucial step. Your brief acts as the blueprint for your project, outlining the key details our designers will need to bring your foil printing vision to life. Whether you’re crafting elegant business cards, luxury wedding invitations, personal greeting cards, or perfectly branded flyers, a clear and concise design brief will ensure your prints come out exactly as you imagined – or even better!
At The Foil Printing Co., we offer one of the widest ranges of foil colours in the UK, with choices like gold, silver, rose gold, copper, holographic, and more. To help you make the most of these vibrant foil shades, we’ve put together this simple guide to writing a design brief that covers everything we need to know to deliver top-quality, eye-catching prints.
What is a Design Brief?
A design brief is a document that outlines the details of your print project. It tells us exactly what you’re looking for, from the number of items you need to the overall look and feel of the design. By clearly communicating your goals, we can get to work creating a print that matches your vision down to the smallest detail. Plus, a well-thought-out brief can save you time, money, and revisions.
To make things easy, we’ll walk you through the key sections of a great design brief below.
Key Elements of a Strong Design Brief
1. Your Contact Details and Project Overview
Start with the basics. Let us know who we’re working with and provide us with a quick project overview:
- Your name, phone number, and email address
- Project description: For example, “500 foil-printed business cards” or “100 wedding invites with rose gold foil”
2. Deadline
Let us know when you need your prints by, especially if you have a strict deadline (for an event, launch, etc). Our minimum turnaround for foil printing is 5 working days from proof approval, but delivery can vary depending on your location. For UK-based customers, you can expect your items to leave us on a 1-day delivery service, having your foil print project with you in no time! Need them faster? Let us know and we can pop your order on a rush service!
3. Target Audience
Understanding who these prints are for will influence the style and tone of the design we craft for you. Is your project targeting potential clients, wedding guests, or even fans? Each audience has different tastes, and knowing this upfront will help us create something that really resonates with your target audience.
4. Design Goals
What’s the main purpose of these prints? Maybe you’re looking to impress at a trade show, create unforgettable invitations, or provide clients with a high-end, solid business card. All these insights help us steer the design toward achieving your goals.
Diving into the Details
Here’s where the fun begins! The next steps are all about detailing the look and feel of your foil prints, allowing us to add that premium metallic touch that really sets your project apart.
1. Text and Content
Provide us with the exact wording you’d like to feature on your prints. This could be anything from company names and contact details on business cards to event dates on invitations. If you’d prefer, you can attach a document with the text or indicate that you’ll send the final copy later (although the latter will inevitably delay the design process and therefore the turnaround of your prints).
2. Images and Logos
Are there any images or logos that you need to include in the design? Attach high-resolution files of your brand logos or any imagery you’d like to see on the finished product. If you’re unsure, our design team is happy to help source or recommend images to match your theme.
3. Design Style
Describe the overall aesthetic you’re after, which could include reference websites, mood/Pinterest boards, or other examples of designs you admire or any design inspiration you may have in mind. For instance:
Front design: Gold foil text on smooth white cardstock with a modern geometric layout.
Back design: Subtle holographic foil highlights on a matte back background for a sleek, high-contrast effect.
More Helpful Tips
To make the most of your foil printing experience, here are a few additional tips to consider when writing your design brief:
Material matters
The type of paper you choose can significantly impact the final design result. Our heavyweight 800gsm Colour Core cardstock, for instance, adds a vibrant coloured layer at the centre for extra visual interest and thickness whereas an off-white stock will change the tone of your print. If you have any concerns regarding your paper choice and design aspirations, let your designer know and they’ll help you work out the perfect paper choice for you.
Foil placement
Our digital foil really shines when used thoughtfully. Let us know if you want foil applied to specific parts of your design, such as text, borders, or logos, and your assigned designer will make it happen!
The Foil Printing Co. Ordering Process
Once your brief is ready, our ordering process is simple:
1. Choose your product and print options: Simply select the item you would like printed and configure your printing and finishing options.
2. Select “Supply Brief & We Design”: When prompted under ARTWORK, choose this option if you’re sending us a design brief.
3. Place your order: Complete the payment process and await your email confirmation.
4. Send us your design brief: In your email confirmation, you will be prompted to send us your design brief. Simply attach it to a responding email and hit ‘send’.
5. Review your proof: Once your design is ready (ideally within 1-working day of receiving your design brief), your assigned designer will send you a PDF proof to review. You’ll be able to request amendments or approve the design before we start printing.
6. Production & Delivery: Once you’re certain that you’re happy with your proof and you’ve given us your thumbs up, your estimated turnaround time will begin. You’ll receive your gleaming, high-quality prints shortly after.
Let’s Get Started
A great design brief is the foundation of any successful bespoke print project, especially when working with premium metallic foils. At The Foil Printing Co., we pride ourselves on creating luxury products that really make their mark, from vibrant business cards to bespoke postcards. With a wide array of foil colours and paper stocks to choose from, the possibilities are endless.
Ready to see our foil colours and card options up close? Order a metallic foil sample pack and experience that Foil Printing Co. quality for yourself!
