How to Create Engaging Printables: Tips and Tricks

Creating printables can be a rewarding venture, whether you're designing for personal use, educational purposes, or to sell on platforms like Etsy or on your own website. The key to success lies in creating engaging printables that capture attention and provide real value to your audience. Here are some practical tips and tricks to help you achieve just that.

1. Understand Your Audience

Before you start designing, it's essential to understand who your target audience is. Are you creating educational printables for teachers, organisational tools for busy moms, or party decorations for toddlers? Find out where your audience is and have a look at what they are posting. What is their taste? What colours do they like? What motives are popular? For example: There were years when little girls couldn't live without unicorn parties so as a designer you would have designed a unicorn party decoration set. Find out what is popular now. Go to Pinterest and become a member of a Facebook group if your audience is there.

2. Start with a Clear Layout

A well-organized layout is the foundation of an engaging printable. Bevor you start designing have a look at popular printables in the niche you are designing for. Do they use white space? Where? How much?
Here are some layout tips:

• Use Grids: Grids help maintain consistency and alignment, making your design look professional.
• Balance Elements: Distribute text and images evenly to avoid clutter.
• Whitespace: Don't be afraid to use whitespace. It makes your design breathable and easier to read. I know it's first hard to not use the space you have. But try it, you'll see how much better it looks.

3. Choose the Right Color Scheme

Colors evoke emotions and set the tone for your printables. Here's how to choose an effective color scheme:

• Understand Color Psychology: Colors can influence mood and behavior. For example, blue is calming, red on the other hand is energizing. Please also keep in mind that colors can have different meanings in different cultures. That's another reason why it's good to know who you are designing for. While white is in our culture something we'd use for weddings in other cultures it's the color for death!
• Limit Your Palette: Stick to 3-5 colors to keep your design cohesive.
• Use Contrasting Colors: High contrast between text and background improves readability.

Don't forget: You cannot please them all. Therefore don't worry if someone doesn't like your designs or if your colors don't fit. Those people are just not your peeps.

4. Typography Matters

Typography plays a crucial role in how your printable is perceived. Follow these typography tips:

• Font Pairing: Choose two or three complementary fonts. A popular combination is a bold font for headings and a simple sans-serif for body text.
• Hierarchy: Use different font sizes and weights to create a hierarchy, guiding the reader's eye to important information.
• Readability: Ensure your text is easy to read by avoiding overly decorative fonts for body text.

Have a look at this font bundle. It comes with a clear font and a handwritten one. That's just one example but it will look nice in a printable!

You can find it here* and you can even get the first 10 packages of graphic sets for free. 

5. Incorporate High-Quality Graphics

Graphics can enhance your printable, but they need to be used wisely:

• Resolution: Ensure all images and graphics are high resolution (300 DPI) to avoid pixelation when printed.
• Consistency: Use graphics that match your theme and style for a cohesive look. Be careful here: If you use purchased graphics from different designers you might not have the same overall look and feel. Therefore make sure you check upfront if your graphics fit. 
• Placement: Integrate graphics seamlessly into your layout to complement the text, not overwhelm it.

Let's say you want to create a beautiful 4th of July printable and you are looking for graphics you can use. These two sets come with a commercial license, that's great. But the one on the left has a watercolor style while the other one has a more graphical style. Both are beautiful but they really don't match on a printable. 

Find the 4th of July Illustrations here* and the 20 Patriotic 4th of July Cliparts here*. You can get them both for free if you are not yet a (free) member.

6. Add Interactive Elements

Engaging printables often include interactive elements that encourage user participation:

• Checklists: Create checklists for to-do lists, meal planning, or goal setting.
• Fillable Fields: Design printables with spaces for users to write or draw.
• Games and Activities: For educational printables, include puzzles, coloring sections, or games.

Additionally: Users love customisable printables. You could use a service just as Corjl to let customers fill in their personal information when they have purchased your Printable.

7. Test your Print and get Feedback

Before finalising your printable, print a test copy to check for any issues. Ask for feedback from a small group of people who represent your target audience. This can provide valuable insights and help you make necessary adjustments.

8. Keep Up with Trends

Design trends evolve, and staying updated can keep your printables fresh and appealing:

• Minimalist Designs: Clean and simple designs are currently popular. Actually, that never gets frumpy!
• Hand-Drawn Elements: Adding a personal touch with hand-drawn elements make your printables unique.
• Bold Colors and Patterns: Don't be afraid to use bold colors and patterns to make your printables stand out.

Creating engaging printables involves a mix of understanding your audience, applying design principles, and continuously improving based on feedback. By following these tips and tricks, you'll be well on your way to designing printables that not only capture attention but also provide lasting value.
If you are not familiar with design principles ist's a great idea to join the Safari Class Designer classes. There I show you how to apply the design rules to your advantage. And sure, we can discuss and test your printables as well!
Even better: It's free for the first 7 days. You can cancel from your dashboard at any time, no obligations!