If you know anything about printing or working with a printing company, you may have heard the word “prepress.” This is a process that is crucial for you to understand if you’re working with a painting company or trying to manufacture merch for your business. This article walks you through some of the essential steps involved in the prepress workflow.
What is prepress?
This word refers to all the steps involved in creating a print layout and the subsequent steps involved in the final print project. A digital machine accepts data electronically and converts the data onto a printing plate, which is then used to transfer your files onto a sheet of paper while in press.
Here, it is a part of best practice to get an experienced graphic design team to help you with the process. Different file sizes, file types, and output needs can all change the speed of the printing process, so getting a trained team can help make the porches faster.
What are the steps involved in prepress?
The following outlines all the essential steps of prepress:
1. File collection verification
Digital files are usually prepared for prepress by a design packaging agency. This is where design teams should check for the following:
- Bleeds, margins, and crop marks
- Page size
- Fonts
- Knock-out elements
- Images
2. Color grading, layout, and file preparation
Here, designers and workers focus on color grading using balance, the color wheel, and different overlay tools so the printed colors exactly match those in the initial design.
3. Retouching and corrections
This step involves making sure the image is the right file type and has the correct resolution. Any images on the package need to be at least 300 psi.
4. Approving the proof
This is where the final “proof” or the design is confirmed by the clients before it is sent to the express for the process of being printed.
5. Producing plates and sleeves
After the previous processes have already run their part, the printing cylinders and sleeves are processed. These can be in materials like rubber, metal, and photopolymer, depending on the printing method, such as flexo, helio, or offset.
6. Printing the packaging
Once the contract proof is approved, the printing run begins. Managers in charge of design oversee this entire process to make sure that they are made while being compliant. This also involves making sure the prints are high-quality, with clean visuals, and have a homogenous design and accurate colors that match the original design.
Wrapping Up
That brings us to close this article, covering all the essential steps involved in the process of printing and pressing, from designing to the final printing process. Hopefully, with this, you will know the right team to choose for your work so that each step can run smoothly with proper communication.
