Design Production for Print//Software Workshop IV.

Utilisng all we have learnt in our past three software workshops with Mike, we used this session to put into practice everything we've learnt and to exercise our proofing skills.

In small groups, (I was with Kirsty Alderson, Kirsty Cave, and Claudia Griffin) we worked in groups to examine a document which was assumed "ready for print" to evaluate faults, as a reprographics department would.

EIGHT FAULTS IN THE DOCUMENT

1// PICTURE/BACKGROUND COLOUR DOESN'T EXTEND OVER THE BLEED

May result in overly cropped, hard to accurately cut designs.

2// URL IN REGESTRATION

Using regestration (prints on every printing plate, CMYK) as opposed to black swatch means that the text will exceed the 300% ink print, potentially affecting the weight of the type stroke with the excess (potentially being absorbed too greatly by the paper stock).

 3// PANTONE 7426 C AND 341 C NOT NEEDED/UNNECESSARY SWATCHES

Creating a larger file size than necessary, can cause confusion during print production- are they meant to represent application of Spot UV varnish, or other print finishes? 
Double click on swatch and manually change the colour mode to CMYK. 
Visible in the separations preview palette. Delete any unused spot colours from the main swatch palette as good housekeeping or problems in the printing process.

 4// TREE SILHOUETTE LINK MISSING

The link missing in the document from it's original source- may not properly embed into the InDesign document, could be missing when sent to the printers- if it's not seen, it won't be printed.
Links Palette Menu//Relink...
OR resubmit the image.

 5// BIRD 3 LINK IS AN RGB 

Needs to be converted to CMYK as a print-ready file.

6// BIRD 5- 72DPI

The resolution needs to be increased to 300dpi to print effectively, and in high quality resolution, not in screen (72dpi) resolution.
Image Size > Resolution > 300dpi. Will still look pixelated at the same scale- need to re-scan the image to increase the size for better picture quality. 

7// BIRD 1- 1897 EFFECTIVE DPI//NEEDS TO BE 300DPI

This means that the resolution (original) has been re-sized/re-scaled in InDesign. All images should be accordingly sized beforehand for most effective print production result. Means you are working with unnecessarily large files- not needed. Too many scaled down images can lead to print errors- better to be safe then sorry.

8// RGB SWATCH//CONVERT TO CMYK

All swatches for print-based design should be in CMYK colour mode. However, only really problematic if used within the layout- producing an unexpected colour shift when printed in CMYK. Colour mode can be adjusted in Photoshop to CMYK (click through links, Alt + Double Click link image).

EVALUATING FAULTS PRE-PRINT ARE KNOWN AS "PRE-FLIGHT" CHECKS.

When sending your files for print you will discuss the necessary formats.
They may suggest...


- InDesign file (also need to send copies of all of the images that are contained within the document, including any specialist fonts that may not be installed on their computers- separate folders within the main InDesign folder)


AS WELL AS MANUALLY YOU CAN USE...


File>Package... (gathers everything together that is needed to support your InDesign file- images, fonts, etc. Creates new folder(s))


Before you click 'Package...' review the information in InDesign- it will point out any errors within the document that need to be amended (such as missing links). Gives a concise document profile, informat about colour mode, formats, effective dpi, etc (to see that scaling has taken place).
You must have your document saved before you can 'package' it. A 'printing instructions' text box will appear- a text file will be created for contact details, specific instructions, special effects, etc- repeat information previously discussed with the printer.


Update font, links, etc in the package.
Legality of copying fonts box will emerge- Adobe fonts are free to provide to a printer- however, many downloaded fonts are not for commercial use- check.


ANOTHER PRE FLIGHT OPTION...

 

WINDOW> OUTPUT>PREFLIGHT

Doesn't provide as much information as when we package- only shows us missing links, not as an effective method.

-PDF, Will include all fonts and details, etc. "Illegal fonts" cannot be used elsewhere- just one file to send to the printer.


EXPORT> ADOBE PDF (PRINT)
Presented with PDF format options- very similar to print options. Can choose small file size for emailing.
For commerical print> Press Quality option
High Quality Print okay for laser/inkjet

// Really interesting experiment working in a group to examine the faults in the document- I personally found it very useful having several pairs of eyes working together, as it helped me to realise faults that I may have otherwise missed- I feel like I have learnt to be more perceptive from this software session (such as not being able to see the RGB swatch until the end- despite it being plainly obvious) and will remember these when designing- hopefully decreasing my time spent designing, and increasing my workflow.