5 Steps of a Print Job
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Believe it or not, a little more goes into getting your print jobs ready than just hitting a button on the computer and out it pops from the printer! Ok, you already knew that. But have you ever wondered exactly how it works? Well, today is your lucky day. Read on for the 5 steps of a print job.
1. Design Sign Off
Once the client has confirmed the design and all proofing is complete, the job can be signed off and made print ready. Brucey bonus info: The ideal print file is a high-resolution PDF with 3mm bleed on all sides, and crop marks.
2. Production and Proofing
Once print-ready, the file is then sent to the production department. Here they will impose the file, laying out as many copies on a sheet as possible. We always fit as many copies on a sheet as possible, for two reasons. 1. It’s more cost effective for the client 2. It produces less waste, and is therefore better for the environment, something very important to us. The file will then be processed and the hard copy sent back to the designer for proofing. We do our best to colour match all jobs as closely as possible, and will make any adjustment necessary. If the file has not been created in-house and we can’t match the print accurately, we contact the client to give them the chance to adjust the artwork if they wish.
3. Print
Once the designer has signed off the hard copy, the file is then added to the print queue. Most of our jobs are needed on a very quick turnaround, so our print schedule varies greatly from day to day, and even morning to evening! The production team need to be flexible and be prepared to think on their feet, as any number of things could change the order of the production queue.
The team will carry out the alignment and send the necessary number of sheets through to complete the job, being sure to print plenty of extras. Speed of print depends on the size of the job - 100 A3s takes less than ten minutes but 100 multi-page booklets can take anything up to 2 hours. (Note: don’t try and order 100 A3’s ten minutes before you need them after reading this!)
4. Finishing
Once printed the job is moved into finishing. There are lots of different types of finishing. Almost all jobs will need to be trimmed in the guillotine (not the one you used in school, that’s nothing compared to our monster!) but there could also be a combination perforating, creasing, laminating, collating, numbering, gluing, drilling, saddle stitching - the list goes on! Everything that is needed is detailed on the job sheet, which travels through the factory with the printed sheets, so the finisher knows exactly what to do!
5. Check, Pack, Go!
Once the finishing is complete the job is then checked for quality control, before being packed up and ready to be sent out!
And there you have it! That’s how your design becomes a printed reality. So, if you are looking for a printer in Glasgow, then look no further! There’s no smoke and mirrors here, just a whole lot of attention to detail, job juggling and hard work.
