5 Things To Do Before Launch: Designer Tips

Launching a new design can be an exciting process. We know you’re eager to make your pattern available for people to enjoy and bring in some sales, but before you press publish there are a few steps you can take today to simplify your life in the future. These gosadi designer tips will help you get ready for a smooth and successful launch!

Did you catch the mistake above? Tech editing is an often overlooked but crucial step! We’re all only human and sometimes things get missed. 

It is vital to hire a tech editor who can provide an objective eye and ensure that all of the pattern details are written accurately and clearly. A tech editor will identify any errors or inconsistencies in the pattern, which can lead to confusion for the knitter or crocheter when trying make your design. 

A tech editor is a professional who performs a once over of your pattern and has a keen eye to catch any errors in your math or grammar. By using a tech editor you are ensuring your customers will have smooth sailing when they go to make your new design. 

An often unexpected but welcome bonus to having a thorough review of the pattern, is that it may be possible to reduce the length of instructions by reorganizing them into clear sections with coherent headers and sub-headers that make it easier for users to find what they need quickly.

A tech editor will also ensure that you are aligned with industry best practices and standards.

This is a quick one, but it will make your life SO much easier when it’s time to upload your pattern. When uploading a PDF of a pattern onto a selling channel, it is important to ensure that the file size is not too large. A file that is too large can lead to slower download speeds and create a hassle for your customers when trying to access the pattern. 

Shrink your file size to help your upload process but also help your customers have a better download experience.

Making sure that your products are well represented is key to not only making sales but will also help with customer service after the sale is made. Giving your customers the clearest picture of what they are purchasing should always be step one in your process. 

We recommend uploading three-five, but ideally five images of your work from various angles & sides for each pattern.

Make sure you have the best possible lighting. Natural light is always the best choice for photography as it creates softer shadows, brings out natural colors, highlights details and does not create harsh contrasts or blurry images. When using natural light, try taking your photos near a window or preferably outdoors during bright daylight hours. 

You can find even more photography tips & tricks here!

When setting the prices for knit and crochet patterns, it is important to consider both the amount of time and labor that you put into creating them as well as the cost of materials, & the eventual value of the finished object for your customer. Also factor in long-term sales.

Once you have set a price that you’re happy with, you should do a little market research to see how your prices stack up. You could be undervaluing your work. 

It’s important to remember that pricing does not have to be fixed. You might want to allow for a discount cushion so that you can mark your prices down a few seasonally appropriate times a year. 

Make sure that whatever pricing strategy you choose aligns with your overall goals. Even if you view yourself as a beginner and this as a hobby, we encourage you to create a pricing structure now that provides you with enough revenue & flexibility to continue creating patterns in the future!

You should consider a variety of factors when choosing where to launch your designs. Begin by researching the different selling channels that are available to you and assess which offers the best features for you. 

Make sure that your chosen channel is compatible with the pricing model you’ve now set up. This will have a significant impact on how well your product performs in the market. 

Platforms such as Shopify or Etsy are great options for those who plan on setting up an online store while subscription-based services like Patreon or Ko-fi may be more suitable for those who want to offer customers exclusive access to content or resources on a regular basis. 

In addition, it can also be beneficial to use multiple platforms in order to reach different target audiences and maximize revenue sources.

If you’re looking to dive deeper we also have tips for you if you’re trying to decide How many selling channels are right for your pattern launch. 

You’ve completed the hard work of creating your pattern & working up your sample. Pushing yourself to work through these last tips before launch will set you up for success during this pattern launch and will give you a reliable roadmap for launches to come!