A clear, well-structured design brief can save hours of revisions and ensure your project hits the mark from the start. Whether you’re commissioning a logo, a brochure, or a full website design, the more information you provide up front, the better the results. Likewise, knowing how to prepare your files correctly ensures your designs look sharp, accurate and professional across every platform. In this guide, Strong Impression explains how to brief a designer effectively and prepare files for print, digital and web — saving you time, money, and stress.
Strong Impression makes the design process simple and efficient. We’ll guide you through creating a clear brief, preparing your content, and supplying the right file formats for flawless delivery. Whether you’re working on print, digital or web design, we’ll make sure your project runs smoothly from concept to completion. Get in touch today to start your next creative project with confidence.
Before any design begins, it’s vital to define why the project exists. What are you trying to achieve? Who is your target audience? What message do you want the design to communicate? Providing clarity on these points helps the designer make creative choices that align with your business objectives. Include key information like your company background, main services, competitors and examples of visuals you admire. The goal is not to dictate the design but to guide it — giving enough context for creativity to thrive within the right direction.
A good design brief covers:
Project scope and deliverables (e.g., logo, website, brochure)– Brand guidelines (colours, fonts, tone of voice)
Target audience details– Style preferences (modern, minimal, bold, elegant, etc.)
Specific copy or imagery to include– Deadline and budget range
Any examples of competitor designs or inspiration
Providing these details helps your designer understand your vision and anticipate potential challenges early. The clearer your brief, the faster the project will progress — and the more accurate your quote will be.
Digital files need to be lightweight, consistent, and correctly formatted. For web design, use RGB colour mode and export images as optimised JPEGs or PNGs. SVGs are best for logos or icons because they scale perfectly without losing quality. Always name files logically and keep folder structures organised — especially if multiple formats or devices are involved. We also ensure assets are optimised for responsive design, accessibility and speed, so they perform flawlessly across screens and browsers.
Print design requires precision. Always use CMYK colour mode, include bleed and trim marks, and save files in high-resolution PDF or TIFF format. Fonts must be embedded or outlined to avoid inconsistencies, and images should be 300 DPI for professional printing. If your design includes spot colours or special finishes like foiling or embossing, these must be set up as separate layers or channels. At Strong Impression, we prepare all print files to commercial standards, ensuring accurate colour reproduction and perfect results from any professional printer.
