Print seminar - 7 things to know about print

1) Colour models

CMYK, RGB, Hex (6 colour printing), Pantone (PMS)

2) Formats

Be creative and economical

- Standard ISO

- A & SRA sizes

- Imperial vs Metric

- Tabloid (compact), broadsheet, berliner

- Envelope 'C' sizes

DL - 1/3 of A4 (letters)

3) Stock

The weight and finish of a paper is crucial

- Weights (gsm) look up in more depth

- Finish - Gloss, silk, matt, coated, uncoated

- Laid or wove

- Boards, cartons, plastics, cetate

4) Artwork

Always get the client to sign off the proof

- Document set up

- File formats and fonts 

   - Copyright issues

   - Don't send a 100mb file to a client, show previews

- Spellcheck

- Colour specification

   - PMS between different applications

- Printer marks

- Pre-flight check

- Mock-ups, proof

   - For the printer to know exact size, font/colour choice, composition etc

- Sign-off (really important)

Check with the printer that you get a proof copy and get confirmation from the client

5) Print processes

You should know in advance which print processes and finishing is appropriate for the job

- Lithography (offset)

- Gravure

- Screen-printing

- Flexography etc

6) Finishing

- Linked very closely with the print process

- Everything is decided in advance as you are working on strict deadlines

7) Cost

Get 3 quotes and check the specification is the same on each one to see which is the best deal

- Be aware of finishing costs as this be as expensive as the print itself

- Get a quote beore you start

- Learn roughly what things cost (per unit)

- Understand viable minimum quantities

- Extra/authors corrections

- Delivery?

- The more units you have, the cheaper the price

Book binding

Burst

Swiss

Otabinding

PUR bind

Perfect

Thread sewing

Case

Flexi