Preflighting checklist for submitting design layout files and graphics to press. Continued...

Preflight design document checklist – tips 5 to 10

The question has been asked about important items to check when preparing a file for print.

We have previously listed the top five preflighting tips. On this page we continue with items 5 to 10 (or is it 11?) of our preflight checklist recommendations for graphic designers.

The first five flightchecking tips have been talked about previously, so there is no need to detail them here.

1. Using the correct design software for the job.
2. Check the format.
3. Provide a printed proof.
4. Ensure that all colors have been applied correctly.
5. Have all pages been checked?
6. Are all bitmap graphics files of a high enough resolution? The resolution of bitmap images generally needs to be between 1.5 X to 2.5 X the halftone line screen. So if we are sending an advert to a magazine which prints color pages using a 150LPI halftone screen, then our bitmap images will ideally be 300dpi (using Photoshop settings), at the intended printing size. If we are are scanning an image to be used for a 200LPI high quality brochure, then we may want specify a dpi of 500dpi.
   
   However, please see our designer's resolution guide for more details about dots, pixels and line screens.
7. Understanding trapping. Discuss with the printer as to who is responsible for trapping settings. Although both Quark and InDesign have their own inbuilt trapping systems, many printers have high end systems that they prefer to use. If you have used any unusual trap settings, it may be best to discuss these with the printer.
8. Preflighting & flightchecking software. There are several tools that will check your DTP files and tell you about potential printing problems. In addition, Adobe Acrobat Professional also has inbuilt tools to check the file for integrity. These tools can be very complex for many designers, but they may be worth looking into. At the very least they can add to the learning process.
9. Check for spelling mistakes. Many graphic designers may balk at this and yes, it may not strictly be our job to check for typos. But, especially for freelancers, any obvious spelling errors that we point out to a client is another feather in out cap and may enhance our reputation for professionalism. Especially as it is much cheaper to correct a spelling mistake earlier in the production process.
10. Using multiple inks for small text. Small thin text may not reproduce very well if it is printed using multiple inks. This is especially true with serif fonts, where small text can even become illegible at small sizes, as it is difficult to register the different printing colors exactly in such fine detail. So, for small text, using a solid black (or another single ink perhaps) will produce the most legible results.
11. Relax! Once the file has gone to print, it's gone. You've done your best, no point losing sleep over it. If only it were that easy... ;-)