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ADD THE FINISHING TOUCHES
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Part Four:
Add the
Finishing Touches
Attention to detail is the hallmark of professional
graphic design—it may mean the difference between a
high-quality publication and a mediocre one.
A little extra effort can help you avoid embarrass-
ing and expensive mistakes. Last-minute revisions can
reward you with a publication that is a pleasure to read
instead of a struggle.
Here are twelve ways to make sure you communi-
cate as effectively as possible.
Proofreading
Check for text and layout mistakes.
Always check your work—make certain that nothing
important has been omitted. Ensure that names, dates
and addresses are correct.
It is very easy to overlook your own mistakes. It is a
known fact that the mind unconsciously supplies miss-
ing words and corrects misspelled words that would be
immediately obvious to others. It should also be noted
that standard spell checking utilities do not correct
grammatical errors.
Check for graphic consistency as well as accuracy.
Make sure that column rules are drawn in, that the
bottoms of columns are parallel, and (in the case of
newspapers) that you have identified where articles
continue on to.