I recently received an interesting (and yet also quite appropriate for the times) request from a client for whom I had just completed the design and art file production for a print book. She asked for a PDF of the book optimized for tablet computers. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Prepress’ Category
Book Printing: Why not Choose Both a Print and an Electronic Version?
Sunday, February 12th, 2012Printing Case Study: Proofing Cycles for Critical Color Images
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012The following case study may give you insight into options for proofing offset custom printing jobs, whether they be digests, books, catalogs, magazines, or any other signature work. For that matter, I think even smaller jobs like fold-over cards, brochures, and such, might benefit from this proofing workflow. (more…)
Custom Printing and Digital Copyright
Sunday, January 29th, 2012I recently designed a print book of poems for a local writer, and a print book of flower photographs for a local photographer. In an attempt to solicit more design work from another potential client, I considered emailing the prospective client PDF samples of the two books I had just completed. After all, I considered this akin to showing a digital portfolio, just as I used to open my physical portfolio and display printed copies of my design work. Fortunately, I paused before acting. I then sent emails to both the poet and the photographer asking permission to share their work. (more…)
Commercial Printing: Making Corrections to Your Files at the Proof Stage
Saturday, December 31st, 2011I recently received a digital proof for a small poetry book I had designed for a client. The following paragraphs describe the items I looked for in checking the proof. You may want to take a similar approach in reviewing your proofs. (more…)
Custom Printing: Preparing Your Printing Job for Commercial Printers
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011You have found the custom printing vendor‘s FTP site and you’re about to send your files to press. With bated breath, you hope that you caught all the errors, formatted all the files correctly, and didn’t make any mistakes that will be expensive to fix. Before you push the send button, here are some things to check. (more…)
Custom Printing: InDesign and Photoshop Tips
Monday, December 12th, 2011I have been doing more freelance design work recently, working in Photoshop and InDesign, preparing layouts for commercial printers. I have learned, or relearned, a number of tips and tricks that you might find helpful in your design work. Here they are, listed in no particular order but separated into two categories: Photoshop and InDesign. (more…)
Custom Printing of Photo Notecards: A Case Study
Monday, December 5th, 2011A client of mine is a professional photographer. Among other items, she sells gorgeous, full-color photo notecards of a myriad of multicolored flower species. (more…)
Online Printing Services: Book Printing Options for Proofing- Hard-Copy vs. Remote Virtual Proof
Monday, August 22nd, 2011A client recently contacted me regarding a book printing job, a perfect-bound textbook for high school students. The 312-page book has black-only ink for the text, while the cover is 4-color plus one PMS ink. The online printing company manufacturing this book for my client has recently installed a new virtual proofing system called Rampage Remote. (more…)
Book Printing with Digital Printing Companies: Holding Detail in Highlights and Shadows
Thursday, August 18th, 2011Brochure Printing: From Paste-up to Computer Design
Monday, August 15th, 2011A colleague who started designing art files for book printing a few years ago asked me to distinguish between layout and paste-up. The question brought to mind all of the changes in the field of design and custom printing over the 34 years I have been in the business. I’ll provide an answer for the question my colleague asked, but I will go further to mention some of the other changes I have witnessed. (more…)
