Prepress & Design - We Know Our Stuff So You Don't Have To
Digital Prepress
After authors write the text and artists or graphic designers translate ideas into images, publishing materials such as books, magazines and pamphlets involves the following three stages:
- The Pre-Press Stage includes the assembly of design elements such as illustrations and text on a page, photography, scanning, imposition, film assembly, proof-reading and the transfer of images to printing press plates or digital printers.
- The Press Stage involves using digital printers or printing presses to produce single to full colour copies.
- The Binding and Finishing Stage includes folding, cutting, collating and binding large sheets of paper in various ways and packaging for delivery.
Most printers use computer systems to enter text, format it, add graphics and create a layout design, all in one operation. In general, electronic (desktop/digital) publishing specialists:
- Discuss requirements and specifications with the producers of information to be published
- Use computer software to prepare sample layouts for approval
- Key in textual material according to specifications for typeface, point size, column width, line justification, depth of copy on page, headings, location of columns, page numbering, table of contents and indexing
- Spell-check copy and correct errors
- Use page-layout software to format and place text and pictures on the page
- Combine, convert and prepare various types of digital files for printing
- Produce final copies according to design specifications
- Store copies of publications on paper, film or electronic storage media
In process colour printing, visible colours in art work or photographs must be colour separated to create printing plates. The nature of the plate or cylinder will depend on the type of printing press to be used. Lithographic or planographic processes require plates that have image and non-image areas on the same plane, separated by chemical interaction. Computer systems or CTP devices are often used to transfer digital images directly onto lithographic plates or directly to a specially equipped printing press. Newer digital presses don't use printing plates; they produce images directly from electronic files.
In addition to desktop/digital publishing systems, pre-press technicians may use scanners or more traditional processes to prepare images for printing:
- Scanner operators use flatbed or drum scanning equipment to capture images digitally. The original photograph or slide is scanned to create a digital image that can be manipulated using colour correction software. Scanner operators ensure that each image is colour corrected and has the correct tone reproduction curves for the printing process.
When necessary, pre-press technicians may modify film or computer files to produce the best possible print results. They must understand the entire production process to make appropriate decisions.
In-House Design
Our talented graphic designers are problem-solvers who research and manage visual design projects. In general, they:
- Consult with clients and other professionals to establish a project's goals and objectives, target market, budget and schedule
- Analyze needs/problems and develop visual solutions
- Prepare concept presentations for client approval, ranging from simple sketches to full colour layouts
- Develop approved concepts in consultation with clients
- Prepare artwork or digital files for production
- Direct photographers, illustrators and other creative professionals involved in the project
- Co-ordinate the production of print, electronic or audio-visual media.
Graphic designer may produce design products such as:
- Trademarks, corporate logos and brand logos
- Stationary and corporate identity materials
- Annual reports and investor relations materials
- Packaging and image design for consumer products
- Advertisements
- Promotional posters
- Sign and wayfinding systems
- Film and video graphics
- Diagrams, maps and graphs
- Publication design for books and magazines
- Flyers, brochures and promotional literature.
On smaller projects, the design process may take days or weeks; larger, more complex projects can take months to complete. Most design studios have the capacity to produce everything from the initial concept to finished artwork for reproduction. Some designers concentrate on a particular aspect of the design process (e.g. design concept, layout production) or on a particular type of product (e.g. corporate identity, marketing communications, packaging design).