Fast, Effective and Efficient

For most companies, commissioning print work represents a significant investment and financial commitment.

Good print management starts a long time before the job gets to the press and this should be reflected in the way that the job is handled.

It is not just that the artwork needs to be print ready and that the arrangements for making sure that the job runs smoothly are in place. The stock and print methods used are also key, but just as important to the success of the print is the conception and design of the whole job from the outset.

There are two reasons for this. First, even if the cost of designing a particular job does not vary between one concept and the next, the cost of printing the job could change significantly. Second, even a brilliantly conceived and executed design might unravel at print and never live up to the brilliance of the original concept.

Therefore really good print management takes an overview of the whole job from conception to the job being delivered to the client's door.

All good print management companies should offer a broad range of services that includes:

• Understanding and advising on the potential impact of the print options on the creative/design work from the outset of the job.

• Advising on the best print options including print type (ie digital, litho, etc) and other manufacture options for complex processes (ie type of binding, finishing, lamination, etc).

• Using their network of print manufacturers to ensure that they secure a great rate on behalf of their client.

• Checking artwork to ensure that it is print ready such as checking that images are CMYK and not RGB, that all bleeds are in place, etc.

• Providing an artwork correction service or being able to ensure that the corrections are carried out successfully by the client's studio.

• Checking proofs and dummies (made up examples of the job at the proof stage) and managing corrections and re-proofs if necessary.

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