Designing for Print, by Marina Joyce, provides how-to on all information needed to prepare a work order for print.  Her experience as a graphic designer and print shop owner brings a unique view in designing for print. A section of her book suggests ideas for when to conduct a press check and responsibilities of both the customer and host.  This blog is the second of a three part series and outlines protocol for the designer that is on a press check.

Customer Etiquette

• Do be on time.
• Don’t use the press check to check for trim, bleeds, spelling, dates, phone numbers, addresses, or anything that should have been caught on the proof.
• Do check that what is on the plate is what was on the proof (i.e., the same file, same edition, etc.) We’ve all seen a wrong file make it to plating or on press.
• Do make sure the proof you signed off on is at the press check so you can compare its color and content to what is being printed. If changes were marked on the proof, check that they are on the press sheet.
• Do compare drawdowns, if you have them, and make sure they match the press sheet if you approved drawdowns before going on press.
• Don’t freak out at however much money your employer is spending and decide to question everything. That press is costing at least several hundred dollars an hour, and every minute you tie up is time the printer cannot sell again. Your printer will get annoyed if you consistently make press checks take more time than necessary, or he may start to include that cost in your future estimates.
• Do recognize that making changes on press, such as a copy change that needs a new plate or a color change, are billable alterations.
• Do try to see your project with a fresh eye. If you go in looking for a specific problem, you are going to miss the giant red flag staring you in the face.
• Do not be afraid of speaking up. A press check can be intimidating. If you have a concern, voice it.
• There is stuff on the press `sheet that is for the pressman to measure what the press is doing. You do not need to know how to read the registration marks, slur marks, color bars, gray balance or any of that. It might seem a little scary to see all that stuff on the press sheet but it will be trimmed off and will not wind up on your job.