A detailed plan for print production enables businesses to effectively and efficiently complete projects, such as books, brochures, and posters. Printing involves stages like prepress, press, and post-press, which are subdivided into other processes to achieve an expected print project. Here is more information about these three steps of the print production plan:
1. Prepress
Prepress is the initial step in which print service providers consult clients to understand their needs before they start the work. This step of commercial printing includes planning and design, proofing, file preparation, and pre-flighting. Here are the elements involved in the prepress process:
Planning and Design
Planning starts when the print company and client agree on the goals of the project, the cost, and the time. The company collects all information required for the project regarding design, quantity, and other specifications like images and color. Design involves coming up with the concept of the print project and actualizing the idea into a finished product.
Proofing
Proofing entails creating a few proofs in digital or physical form for the client to approve. This stage may require several cycles of modification and feedback before the print expert produces the final design. Proofing allows professionals to make changes based on the feedback received from clients to avoid more mistakes and delays.
File Preparation
Experts prepare print project files to prevent problems after starting the print production process. The file preparation stage involves getting the files of the approved project design ready for printing. Your project’s print team can check and confirm for proper graphic embedment and other requirements that contribute to quality outcomes.
Pre-flighting and Imposition
Pre-flighting refers to the technical assessment of the print files for potential problems associated with production. Professional print service providers employ sophisticated technological programs to check for issues like low-resolution images and improper font. Print professionals do impositions when producing magazines, books, and other products with many pages. This process involves placing the pages in such a manner that, when printed, trimmed, and bound together, they are in the proper order. Appropriate imposition enables service providers to utilize their press time properly and avoid paper wastage.
2. Press
The pressing step is the print production phase that involves techniques like digital, offset, or large-format printing methods. The needs of the project determine the production method that print service providers choose. Digital methods suit small production runs and applications where a fast turnaround time is possible. The offset technique suits higher volumes of print projects to achieve accuracy of color matching and quality final products. Large format production is ideal for extra-large advertisement projects such as posters, billboards, and banners.
This step also includes color management to make the printed colors reflect those used in the initial design. Print experts use advanced color-matching instruments to achieve quality and color reliability in printed images. They also monitor the production process to verify that every print has correct colors and well-aligned images.
3. Post-press
Post-press is the last step, which includes finishing, packaging and delivery, and follow-up processes. Finishing includes cutting, folding, binding, laminating, and die cutting to make the printed products more attractive and usable. Print professionals perform more quality assurance checks before they package and deliver printed products to clients. As part of follow-up, service providers may allow clients to give their feedback on the project and the outcome.
Contact a Professional Printing Company
Prepress, press, and post-press in commercial printing require technical competence to deliver quality products. Experienced print companies provide excellent results by completing proper production planning and inspections. Contact a professional print company today for your brochures, billboards, posters, and other projects.
