What Are Mechanicals in Graphic Design?

Mechanicals in graphic design are the technical specifications of the piece of artwork. This includes things like size, format, color space, resolution, and other physical attributes.

It is important to have these details worked out before the design process begins. By having a good understanding of how a design will be used and produced, designers can create artwork that meets all of the necessary requirements for its intended purpose.

The term “mechanical” originates from the use of mechanical drafting tools and processes used in traditional printing methods. In today’s digital world, we are still concerned with the same basic principles of mechanicals when it comes to graphic design. Designers need to know what size the artwork needs to be, what format it needs to be in (vector or raster), what color space is required (CMYK or RGB), and at what resolution it should be saved.

It is also important to consider how the artwork will be used. Will it be printed?

If so, then you need to decide which paper stock should be used and if a spot color or multiple colors are needed. Is it going to be used online? Then you need to make sure that the resolution is suitable for web display.

By having an understanding of all these mechanical details, designers can produce a much better end product that meets all requirements throughout the entire production process. Without this knowledge, a design may not print correctly or appear pixelated when viewed on a website.

In conclusion, it is important for designers to have an understanding of mechanicals in graphic design in order to produce quality work that meets all requirements throughout production. Knowing these details beforehand can help save time and money by avoiding costly mistakes due to improper sizing or formatting.