You may be unintentionally killing the impact of your annual report because of some common
mistakes
For many companies the annual report is their primary communication with key stakeholders.
Investors, bankers, customers, creditors and potential employees all refer to it for key indicators. A
printed Annual Report is also often the first introduction to a company. And the first impression is
the lasting impression
Ok, you have a design that looks great on the computer screen. Yet its impact can be killed in print
because of some common mistakes – or because the printer has cut corners to sweeten the deal.
5 Common Errors
Printing today is a complex art and any misstep can lead to a discernable difference that offsets any
cost savings. Here are five common bullets that cause serious last-mile injury.
“WYSIWYG” What you see is what you (don’t) get
While your designer may be good in copy and design most of them have very little idea of how it will
reproduce in print. While it looks great on the screen but what you see there is a RGB image that is a
additive mixture of colours seen with transmitted light. The print on the other hand is a CMYK
(subtractive mixture of colours) that you see through reflection and an autocratic mixture of colours.
Before printing your file goes through various algorithms that change the RGB to CMYK and the PDF
file and TIFF or JPEG image file to 1 bit tiff. But within all this there is a serious issue of colour
management. In plain English it means that in order to simulate what you see on the monitor the
entire journey of the file from the PDF your designer gives to the printing press and beyond has to
be managed with know-how, technology and expertise.
The wrong paper
Choosing the right paper is vital for the final look and feel of your annual report. It is also important
from the point of view of how well your print reproduces in the final print.
The wrong colours
Your designer may have used some exotic colours that look great on the monitor but when printed
will look dull and totally different . This is due to the fact that the two colour spaces (on the monitor
and the printing machine) are asymmetrical and some of the colours do not reproduce as well in
print.
The wrong binding
If improper binding is used to bind the Annual reports, there is always the issue of missing pages or
not properly opening pages or text that goes hiding into the spine.
The wrong printer
All of the above problems and more may be faced by using the wrong printer. Annual report printers
have an elaborate checklist of best practices that they adopt along with suitable technology and
know-how to give you an Annual Report with the desired quality in time. Since time is of essence in
Annual reports.
Adding Print Value
Adding value to your printed annual report can begin at the design stage itself. A good printer’s
studio knows how to tailor design parameters for optimum print reproduction. Proof-checking for
text and formatting errors is another crucial step in ensuring reader-friendliness. Modern digital pre-
production systems ensure accuracy and prevent generation loss while transferring designs onto
printing plates.
In fact, digital innovations can take the Annual Report much further than is imagined. Today, it is
possible to embed digital content in printed pages for greater impact and better analysis. The
Chairman can step out of his picture and speak in person. Graphs can animate for better
comprehension. Projects and products can be captured in 360 degree videos that bring them to life.
The integration of Augmented & Virtual Reality (AR/VR) technologies with print has added new
dimensions to what can be done with Annual Reports but that is the subject for another blog.
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