Fundamentals of PrePress

GRAPH275 Click to edit Master subtitle style Dominique Remy

5/17/12

What is prepress?

Prepress refers to the preparation of digital files for printing It comes after the design and page layout stage, However, prepress planning is crucial during those stages to insure that files print properly.

5/17/12

Characteristics of Prepress

Camera Ready Artwork Color Separations Halftoning Imposition Trapping and Prepress Software
5/17/12

What is preflight?

Preflight derives from the preflight checklists that airplane pilots go though prior to takeoff Preflight is the process of checking and double-checking your digital files and hard copies supplied to your commercial service provider

5/17/12

Why is preflight important?

Most service providers charge extra for such things as:

Converting RGB images to CMYK Outputting laser proofs Creating bleeds Resizing images And more
5/17/12

Good designers

Use a preflight checklist Double-check their preflight checklist at least twice before submission to a service provider

This avoids:

Printing and finishing delays Added expenses

5/17/12

The Preflight checklist

Click to edit Master subtitle style

5/17/12

File Prep: Printing Setup

Check placement ofcrop marksandbleed allowances 1/8" (0.125) for bleeds is typical but could vary by printer

5/17/12

File Prep: Font Styles

Use only the actual fonts for bold, italic, and other font styles

5/17/12

File Prep: RIP

Avoid problems that keep files from printing by:

Cropping images before placing in document Simplifying blends Avoiding nested graphics

5/17/12

File Prep: Trapping

Find out in advance who will dotrappingon the files and submit accordingly

5/17/12

File Prep: Imposition

Find out in advance whether file is to be submitted inreader spreads or printer spreads

5/17/12

File Prep: Extraneous Elements

Remove references to unused fonts and colors Remove non-printing items from the pasteboard

5/17/12

5/17/12

Use a digital format preferred and accepted by your printer Verify software version and platform, PostScript or PDF requirements If supplyingcamera ready artwork, prepare it in accordance with the service provider's requirements

File Submissions: Digital File/Camera Ready Artwork

5/17/12

File Submissions: Font

Send both screen and printer fonts for Type 1 fonts Send the same format (Type 1, TrueType, OpenType) as used in the document Send all the fonts used, including fonts in EPS graphics (or, convert fonts in graphics to outlines before placing in page layout application)
5/17/12

File Submissions: Graphics

Send all graphics used, in the right format as required by the service provider and at the proper resolution for the output device (Typically 300dpi) Convert graphics from RGB to CMYK Supply original source files for graphics If providing images for scanning, 5/17/12 mark them for cropping, include

Label disks with your name, address, phone number, and any job number supplied by the service provider When sending files on disk, use a type of media supported by the service provider, properly formatted for their platform, and using a supported compression method Include only the most current version 5/17/12 of the document to be printed and no

File Submissions: Media/Transfer Protocol

File Submissions: Backup Copies

Never send your only copy of a file to your service provider Make backups Application files Fonts Images PostScript files 5/17/12

Keep copies of all:

5/17/12

Hard Copy: Job Sheets

Include a filled out job sheet (your own or one supplied by the printer) that includes:

Your name Company name Address Phone number Job number

5/17/12

Hard Copy: Proofs

Include composite laser or color proof printed after ALL changes and corrections

Check proofs to ensure they accurately reflect the:

Graphics Fonts Bleeds

5/17/12

Hard Copy: Color Separation Proofs

Check that all colors separate properly Indicate on separation proofs which color/plate it is Label all proofs with your contact information

5/17/12

Hard Copy: Dummy

Indicate folds, diecuts, etc.

5/17/12

Software
Markzware's Flightcheck [Mac/Win] There ispreflight softwarewhich helps to automate the preflight Scans: process QuarkXPress PageMaker It is NOT a substitute for manually Multi-Ad checking your files and submissions Illustrator

PhotoShop FreeHand

5/17/12

Web App
Adsend There arepreflight web appswhich helps to automate the preflight process SendMyAd It is NOT a substitute for manually checking your files and submissions

5/17/12