5 Things to Look for When You’re on Press

The day has finally come. You’ve been working on a print project for weeks and now you’re on press and ready for a press check. Here are five things to look for to make sure all that work comes off the press like a dream.

1. Is it all there?

The first step you should take is to compare the press sheet to your proof. Make sure each photo, each piece of art, and each block of copy has made it onto the printed sheet. In these days of digital proofs, it’s rare for something to drop off but computer glitches do happen.

2. Do the photos look good?

A good printer will have matched the photos to the proof before you even walk in the door. But sometimes an image just won’t look right. Make sure faces look natural. Make sure there is enough black to give the images contrast but not so much that it makes them dark and dingy. If you aren’t sure how the colors need to be adjusted, tell your print rep or pressman what you want to achieve, not how to achieve it. They are experts in what the press can do and can help you get the look you want.

3. Do the colors match?

You may have corporate colors you are trying to match. Bring color chips or other printed samples along with you to the check so the printer can match them. Again, let them advise you on how to achieve the color you want. When you make adjustments to blocks of color, make sure you aren’t sacrificing the photos. Your audience won’t notice if your corporate red is a shade too light, they will notice if your photo subjects look like they have sunburns.

4. Is it on the right paper?

You and your designer have taken great care to choose the right paper for the job. Make sure that is what is in the press. Coated or uncoated? The right weight? If you aren’t sure you can tell, bring a paper dummy along with you to compare.

5. Are there specks and spots?

Check the entire sheet for any stray specks and spots and circle them. Specks can just be small flaws in the paper, which can’t be helped (particularly if you are using a recycled sheet). Other specks can be caused by lint and debris on the rollers. You can tell if they are on the rollers if they appear in the same spot on every sheet. The pressman can clean them up and will continue to do so throughout the press run.

These five steps will help you during any press check, big or small. The most important thing to remember is to take your time. Don’t let anyone pressure you into signing off before you are ready and ask all the questions you can. If the printer is worth their salt, they’ll want to make sure you are informed and happy before you walk out the door.

And don’t forget to take a press sheet with you when you leave. It’s a record of what you signed off on and will help your case if the final product doesn’t turn out as hoped.