How to Pull Off Your Print Job Without a Hitch
Putting together a print newsletter can be a bit intimidating for those who don’t think they are especially “in the know” about printing terminology and procedures. And while there are a few basic concepts that you’ll need to grasp, once you know all of the components involved you can feel confident that you’ve covered all of the necessary steps required for a successful print job.
One of the most important steps in the process is selecting a reputable printer. In addition to pricing, other things to consider when choosing a printer are the quality of work and speed. Ask for several references and contact each one. Also ask to see samples of the printer’s work.
Getting started
After the printer has been chosen, the next step is with the editorial department. Make sure the publication to be printed has gone through a meticulous proofreading stage, which may involve multiple spelling and grammar checks, especially if there have been numerous edits made during the writing process.
All images are not created equal
Using the proper image format is vital to a successful print job. Vector art is the term commonly used for print-appropriate artwork and includes non-resolution dependent graphics such as those created in Adobe Illustrator® that can be manipulated in such a way that it doesn’t affect the quality of the image.
Files commonly used for the Web, such as GIF and PNG are not suitable for print. Web graphics are 72 dpi (dots per inch) and for a clear print image, 300 dpi is the minimum necessary resolution. EPS and TIF are appropriate formats for print and are supported by most illustration, image editing and page layout applications.
Other pieces of the puzzle
Often a component of a “quote request” form, the document’s page size, folded size and paper stock will need to be determined before the job goes to the printer. Paper stock refers to the weight of the paper ream, for example, an 80 # paper weight simply means that the ream for that particular paper weighs 80 lbs.
Presswork (four-color, two-color, etc.) specifications are also decided in advance. Most printers use at least a four-color process using CMYK, which stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black) as a base for creating colors. Spot colors, or Pantone® colors, are available as well.
Binding, finishing, bleed and trim size are other components of your print job. The bleed is the industry lingo for any color or image that extends to the edge of the paper. The trim size is the finished size of the document. Quantity and mailing specifications will also need to be established before the job goes to the printer.
Bringing it all together
The final step brings all of the components together and is termed the preflighting stage. During this step all support files for the publication are “collected for output,” identifying any potential problems. There is a variety of software on the market that can help the designer with this process, which takes only a few minutes, but saves a significant amount of potential wasted time and money on both the part of the designer and the printer.
With all of the tools you need now in hand, you can submit your publication to the printer feeling confident that you have provided all of the elements necessary for a quality publication.
Here are some related articles you might find interesting:
Toolbox – Printers Checklist
Design Q&A: Proper Formatting Ensures Print Perfect Graphics
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