What is Preflighting? Preflighting 101

What is pre-flighting? Preflight Preflight To discover and identify predictable problems with your files and job before going forward. To discover and identify predictable problems with your files and job before going forward.

Why do I need to pre-flight? You want your job to be on time and on budget, and professional. Preflight, Planning, File Repair, and and a good Submission will make all the difference. You want your job to be on time and on budget, and professional. Preflight, Planning, File Repair, and and a good Submission will make all the difference.

File repair?!! File repair - the process of correcting these problems with your files before sending them to others. Accurate preflight and file repair is the responsibility of the file preparer. Please be proactive, using this document as a guide. File repair - the process of correcting these problems with your files before sending them to others. Accurate preflight and file repair is the responsibility of the file preparer. Please be proactive, using this document as a guide.

What is file submission? Submission Submission goal, job gets to the printer in a state of readiness to flow right to press with no delay and no additional cost. It all comes together to make the design project a real professional job. goal, job gets to the printer in a state of readiness to flow right to press with no delay and no additional cost. It all comes together to make the design project a real professional job.

Why Won’t it print? Common File Problems Common File Problems Fonts Missing or not Supplied Fonts Missing or not Supplied Graphics Missing or not Supplied Graphics Missing or not Supplied Too Many Spot Colors or Bad Separations Too Many Spot Colors or Bad Separations RGB Scans and Images Used and Supplied Instead of CMYK Images RGB Scans and Images Used and Supplied Instead of CMYK Images

Why Won’t it print? Common File Problems Common File Problems Low Resolution Images Supplied Low Resolution Images Supplied Improper Bleed and Copy Margins Improper Bleed and Copy Margins Brochure Panels not Laid Out Correctly Brochure Panels not Laid Out Correctly No Folding, Backup, or Pagination Dummy No Folding, Backup, or Pagination Dummy Laser Proof not Supplied, or not Current Laser Proof not Supplied, or not Current

Font Missing? This can occur if a particular type style is used, and is not supplied with the font files needed to output. This can occur if a particular type style is used, and is not supplied with the font files needed to output. Without the correct fonts available, the output device will substitute with Courier, which will not look as desired. Without the correct fonts available, the output device will substitute with Courier, which will not look as desired. If the font is replaced, it will cause type to reflow, lines to get cut off, hyphenation and line endings subject to change, etc. If the font is replaced, it will cause type to reflow, lines to get cut off, hyphenation and line endings subject to change, etc.

Missing Graphics? A more serious problem than missing fonts is missing images and graphics files. A more serious problem than missing fonts is missing images and graphics files. Note: Although the missing graphics remain visible in page layouts, they are actually linked components (which are not part of the page layout). Missing graphics are an absolute show stopper since there's not even an option of substitution. Note: Although the missing graphics remain visible in page layouts, they are actually linked components (which are not part of the page layout). Missing graphics are an absolute show stopper since there's not even an option of substitution. Please do not ask that the printer find and pick up graphics or images from another job or a previous job. All jobs are to be submitted completely and it is the responsibility of the designer to submit each job completely. It WILL cost time and money if all files are not submitted properly! Please do not ask that the printer find and pick up graphics or images from another job or a previous job. All jobs are to be submitted completely and it is the responsibility of the designer to submit each job completely. It WILL cost time and money if all files are not submitted properly!

Spot Colors? When separations are printed, each of these names produces a different plate. Therefore, the colors used in your files MUST be accurate to the colors in your print quote. When separations are printed, each of these names produces a different plate. Therefore, the colors used in your files MUST be accurate to the colors in your print quote. For example: A job that is quoted to print 5 colors, CMYK + a PMS "Spot" color, MUST be prepared to print out to only 5 colors. Most files contain extra colors or colors that are not separating correctly. If your job is not prepared to separate correctly, it will cause a delay to repair the files and make them separate correctly. For example: A job that is quoted to print 5 colors, CMYK + a PMS "Spot" color, MUST be prepared to print out to only 5 colors. Most files contain extra colors or colors that are not separating correctly. If your job is not prepared to separate correctly, it will cause a delay to repair the files and make them separate correctly.

RGB or CMYK, what’s the difference? RGB is Red, Green, and Blue is a non-print format. When trying to separate an RGB image, it will always print on the black plate. RGB is Red, Green, and Blue is a non-print format. When trying to separate an RGB image, it will always print on the black plate.

RGB or CMYK, what’s the difference? Cont. CYMK is Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. This is the standard 4-colors used for process color printing. CYMK is Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. This is the standard 4-colors used for process color printing. Note: Remember to convert all Images to CKYK. Also adjust your CMYK images so they will not be too dark when produced. Note: Remember to convert all Images to CKYK. Also adjust your CMYK images so they will not be too dark when produced.

Why can’t low res images be used? Low resolution images are images that are not the correct size to cover the intended area. Low resolution images are images that are not the correct size to cover the intended area. Note: Photos should be scanned at a minimum of 300 DPI (dots per inch) Line art should be scanned at a minimum of 600 DPI. Note: Remember, enlarging and reducing a scan in a layout affects its output resolution.

What does bleeding have to do with it? Bleeds are printing that extends to the edge of a sheet or page after trimming. All bleeds need to be pulled and in place before going to press. Bleeds are printing that extends to the edge of a sheet or page after trimming. All bleeds need to be pulled and in place before going to press. Note: For a document to have a correct bleed, the image must extend 1/8” outside the trim area.

What’s a Margin? Margins are printing that extends to the edge of a sheet or page after trimming. Remember to keep all copy margins a minimum of 1/8” away from the trim area. Margins are printing that extends to the edge of a sheet or page after trimming. Remember to keep all copy margins a minimum of 1/8” away from the trim area.

The File is not correctly set up? Documents must be created to the specs set by the printer. It is very costly for a printer to re-set your document. Documents must be created to the specs set by the printer. It is very costly for a printer to re-set your document.

I’m no dummy! Dummies are mock samples (or simulations) of the job being printed. Printers use this as a road map for your job. They will match this to the final piece. It must be included with your file. Dummies are mock samples (or simulations) of the job being printed. Printers use this as a road map for your job. They will match this to the final piece. It must be included with your file.

Awesome Lasers!!! Laser proofs should be included with your file. The BW proof will contain the entire printed file. Laser proofs should be included with your file. The BW proof will contain the entire printed file. Note: Always include the BW color separations. They will have the name of each color being used in the file. (Separations are Note: Always include the BW color separations. They will have the name of each color being used in the file. (Separations are separate film holding images of one specific color per piece of film. Black, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow. Can also separate specific PMS colors through film.)

Preflight Check List Follow the preflight check list to ensure your jobs go smoothly. Follow the preflight check list to ensure your jobs go smoothly. Every program has a packaging option, BUT do not rely solely on it. Every program has a packaging option, BUT do not rely solely on it.