6 Prepress Questions to Ask Your Printer

When choosing a printer, many clients overlook the importance of how it might impact their prepress production workflow and specifications. Although most large commercial web offset printers have similar prepress and plate requirements, there are inherent differences that need to be addressed prior to preparing your final files and proofs.

A variety of conditions need to be taken into consideration when preparing your photography, separations and proofs prior to printing. Here are just a few that come to my mind:

1. Will this job print sheetfed, web offset or possibly gravure?

Proof and file requirements change with each printing method. You will have to ask your printer the best practice methods to ensure the best possible quality.

2. Will these materials be repurposed for other media, i.e. newspaper, web, VDP, etc.?

Different media requires different quality images. When in doubt, always err to the side of critical quality. You can always repurpose your materials for a lower quality standard more easily than you can repurpose your materials for a higher quality standard.

3.  What type of paper will I be printing on?

Changing papers, even if it is the “same paper” produced at a different mill, can create a different effect. Make sure you know the best prepress practices for your paper choice.

4. What is the most appropriate type of proof for this project?

Epson, Kodak, Kodak online…Oh my! There are a lot of choices. Your printer can explain what will work best for you.

5. How important is it to obtain critical color match on the final printed piece?

At Arandell, it is common practice for our retail clients to bring actual samples of the products in their catalog. There is a big difference between magenta, cranberry, crimson, scarlet, garnet, and fuchsia sweaters.

6. What is my budget?

 This year in particular everyone is keeping a close eye on costs. Make sure you have a clear understanding of costs so you can budget accordingly.

Knowing the answers to these questions will allow you to begin the project with the appropriate quality expectations in mind from the very beginning. 

These are all important items that need to be taken into consideration when planning your next printing project. If you are unsure of how to approach these questions, feel free to involve your printer early in the process, as they can assist with providing the appropriate settings and workflows that will result in meeting, if not exceeding your final quality expectations.

• Tags:
• color matching
• color quality
• prepress

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