Print-ciples
Pre Production
A crucial part to any design process which encompasses a print resolution is efficient and productive pre-production of the documents and process to ensure as little room for error as possible. Producing documents effectively and complying with relevant standard is essential within any design process. Costing also impacts greatly upon pre-production as efficient pre-production can prevent any unexpected costs at the production stage. The pre-production process can refer to a range of different situations and process which need to catered for appropriately, from producing and saving images, file formats and colour specification. Pre-production refers directly to the process of bringing to together raw documents types and visual elements into a final design which is prepared correctly for the print process. Pre-production is concerned with scanning of images, correct resolution of images, file formats, colour specification, and saving and sending files. Communication with the printer is also essential as specifying elements of a design and talking through the results you require with a printer will ensure the results are as the designer requires.
Introduction to Pre-Production
Pre Production
Pre-Production Costing
.JPEG
RAW
Saving files
.TIFF
.EPS
Capturing files
.BMP
.PSD
Collected Files
Sending files
Pre Production
File Formats There are two main types of image format category and they are bitmap images and vector images. Bitmaps images are raster based which means they are composed of individual pixels and they have a fixed resolution which means that any enlargement in size reduces the quality of the images. Whereas vector based images are image made using mathematical formula which enable them to infinitely scaled without any loss in quality. Vector are more commonly used for logos and other 2D images whereas bitmap images are used for photographs. When sending work to be commercially printed the printer will always specify the file formats they work with, most commonly printers will work with PDF (portable document format). PDF’s can be created using common creative software such as Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop. Using the PDF format means that linked images, colour profiles and fonts are all stored within the document so that the document is viewed the same regardless of what software is installed on the computer. They ensure that files are viewed consistently and that when saved it is as a close as possible to the original using high quality compression without loss in quality. Using PDF also ensures that document can be opened by the printer as they no paid software is required only Adobe Acrobat Reader which is provide for free by Adobe. Files can be sent to printers in there native state such as PSD and InDesign files, however when sending work to printer in these formats you need to ensure you also send the relevant fonts along with the file as the computer viewing the document may not have the chosen fonts install therefore the work will appear differently on other computer as font substitution will occur. Within InDesign software tools are provided that ensure all linked and document necessary files as all saved into one folder which can be easily sent to a printer.
File Formats
Greyscale density patches are printed in steps from no tint through to black. They are used to check black and white photography and black text.
Check trim marks for position and that the bleed allowance is correct.
Check reigstration marks to see if the job has been proofed in register. If it has been printed correctly all you will see is black.
If it is out of register, one or more colours will show.
Pre Production
The colour control strip tells the designer whether the proof is faithful to the film being proofed. For example if the proofheader has used too much yellow when the film is correct, the colour bar will help show this.
Document Setup It is crucial that before designing any work digitally that the document is set up correctly to avoid errors and issues later when saving and sending to printers. Documents should be set up to the correct sized in which they need to be printed and include the appropriate marks required by the printer such as Bleed and slug sizes as well as the inclusion of printers mark if necessary. Additionally the correct colour modes should also be selected such as CYMK or PMS. The document should also be set up to the correct print resolution of 300dpi. Colour Specifications When sending documents to print if colours are being using out of the CYMK colour space such as colours from the PMS, these need to specified within the application before saving and sending the file and the printer also needs to be made aware. Pantone colours can be specified within all Adobe software using options within the colour picker, only pantone colours that have been used should be specified in the document, as if colours are present in swatches this may results in black plates being produced which can be a wasted production cost. Furthermore if specialist print techniques are being used these also needed to be specified however Adobe software doesn’t allow for spot vanishes and other affects to be specified therefore a colour should be substituted to represent where a varnish needs to be applied, this should then be made aware to the printer. Proofs The proof stage is the final stage before the piece going to mass print and the final pieces are produced. The colour proofing stage allows you to correct any errors and flaws within the design that may have been missed at the digital stage or have appeared different in this printed physical state. When looking over a proof the following assessments are crucial, trim and bleed marks are aligned correctly, type is readable and legible and not broken and missing. The colour bars should be used to check that colour has been over or under printed and it the correct colour. Registration can be checked by using the registration marks if they are not aligned and one or more colours appear next to the registration marks, the proof has not been printed in register. Special colours, tints and flopping should also be checked at this stage. Once the proof has been assessed and then signed off by the client before the piece and be confirmed for print. Ensuring the client signs off the print proof will mean that you are held responsible for anything wrong with the final piece.
Proofing
Pre Production
Pre-production Costing
Get quotes before you start designing
Gather at least 3 different quotes
Check delivery costs
Specify spot colours with the printer
Specify finishes with the printer
Avoid paying for author errors Pre Production
Costing a Job Before you start work on a brief you should gather some estimates on how much it is likely to cost to be printed therefore you can know yourself and tell your client know approximately how much something will cost as this determined what is possible as all client will have a budget they will be working to. As a designer you will always be limited by what the client’s budget it however it is important to try and be as creative as possible with the limitations of the budget and to be resourceful. This is why it is important to get quotes up front before designing as you may need to change aspects of a design accordingly. When gathering quotes it is ideal to collect a minimum of three quotes from three different companies for the same service this will ensure that you are getting the best deal and your not over paying for something that can be done by another company for a much cheaper price. Three is a minimum the more quotes you have the more likely you are to get a better deal. It can also be a useful skill to learn how much standard pieces cost to print, such as printing with standard paper sizes and standard print methods this will make it easier to work with clients and give them a rough estimate for what they can afford within their budget. Understanding viable minimal quantities can also help with quoting and understanding what can and can not be done within a budget. For example offset lithography wouldn’t be used for a print run of 50 pieces. Therefore understanding minimum quantities for different print methods and techniques is essential. Additionally avoiding extras can also reduce any impact on the final cost of print job which many not have been allocated for. When the printer makes has to make changes to a document such as spelling errors and colour specifications these will be charged and can increase the production. It is therefore essential that all errors are avoided, however it is humanly impossible for everything to run perfectly so allow some extra money as a back up. Delivery of a product is also a cost that is often forgotten about and can dramatically increased the overall cost of production. Paper is a heavy and dense material therefore delivery can be extremely expensive and this price needs to be agreed with the print company before confirming the contract with then, this will also prevent any unexpected charges appearing on the bill which haven’t been allocated.
Effective Costing
Print Process Stock Format Ink & Colour Systems Finishing Pre-production
Files Formats Proofing Effective Costing