We work and live in confusing and complex times. This is especially true for those who are involved in graphic design, photography, illustration and the other dozen or so disciplines that make up the graphics world.

As we prepare digital files steps need to be taken to make sure missing fonts and images are included, fonts are with the files, colors are converted to CMYK, and trapping is correct. Preflighting all aspects of digital files before PDFs are created increases the chance of error-free output.

Your in-plant is slick. You’ve got the latest and greatest in print engines and a stealthy prepress workflow. But, what good is it when the front end of the process is replete with bad files — customer - supplied content that’s poorly prepared and requires time and expense to fix?

This is a problem many printing organizations — and in-plants, instant print shops, large-format print suppliers and general commercial printing companies — face today. Content coming into many printing plants just isn’t good.

Sometimes you have to scream to get people’s attention. This is especially true of preparing documents for print and direct mail. The most reliable format for reaching potential audiences is still the printed word, and the ability to create eye-catching and immediate response fliers and newsletters has been greatly enhanced by digital technologies. It also involves checking the integrity of the digital file before final print or manufacture — a practice otherwise known as ‘preflighting.’

Designing the mailer

Going through my literal stack of print media, design and publishing titles on my desk, I came across a very interesting article titled, “Careless print costs money“. This was within the U.K. magazine named PrintMedia Management (June 2008, pg. 28, 66). It highlights how this key United Kingdom government department, COI or Central Office of Information, is taking the matter of print buying very seriously. They are doing what any advertising agencey, corporation or marketing company should also be doing, however may not be…

Source: Press release issued by the company, unless otherwise noted.

June 10, 2008 – Rampage Systems of Waltham, MA announced that Version 11 of the Rampage Workflow System is shipping and improves the performance of PDF Trap Engine by as much as 75 percent. Rampage Systems introduced PDF Trap Engine in 2006 to help printers deal with PDF files containing transparent effects.

What Does Preflighting The Design Mean?

As a graphic designer, has this ever happened to you?

The scenario: You’ve sent your marketing masterpiece that you have meticulously designed to your printer. The deadline is tight, but you made it. Then the phone rings. Its your printer calling to let you know they are having problems printing your piece. You are about ready to scream because the client is waiting to get this piece out to his customers.

XChange announce free one-day Workflow &
Productivity Seminars with software prize drawings

London, UK – XChange International, the source for extended technology worldwide, are pleased to announce two FREE one-day seminars, presenting time saving solutions for businesses — small and large — to save money and become more productive. The seminars, co-sponsored by Quark, Markzware, Enfocus and other extended technology software publishers, will be held in Central London on the 29th and 30th April 2008.

American Printer, Mar 1, 2008

If you have been in the print industry for any length of time, you know that there are certain file types printers dread receiving from customers. Right at the top of the list is content created in Microsoft Publisher. You see, almost every prepress department out there is Mac-based, and Microsoft has never released a Mac version of Microsoft Publisher.

Attention:Printers, graphic designers, prepress professionals and publishers Markzware is coming to a city near you!

First stop is beautiful San Diego, California at the San Diego Convention Center. On February 20, visit Markzware at booth # 404, during the “Passion For Print” show, hosted by the PIASD.

Second stop join us in warm and sunny Miami at that Graphic of the Americas at the Miami Convention Center booth #1503 February 28-March 1.

Third stop will be the historical city of Boston for the On Demand show at the Boston Convention Center booth # 120 March 4-6.