- How would I define print production?
Well, to put it simply, I'd say that it's designing
and building files that print, fold and trim correctly.
Now to accomplish that, you need to have some understanding
of the physical process of printing
as well as finishing processes such as folding and binding.
Now don't worry,
you don't need to be an experienced pressman
or bindery operator to understand these concepts.
A designer who's well-versed in print requirements
communicates well with the printing company
both before and during the life of the print job.
And I want you to be able to ask the right questions
when talking to a printer,
especially at the beginning of a project.
And I hope I can give you more realistic expectations
of the print manufacturing process
as you come to understand how everything works.
In fact, these are the two recurring themes
in this video course, the value of communication
and the realities of the printing process.
But here's some good news.
Printers appreciate a designer who has a curiosity
about the print process, who wants to make sure
that they give the printer healthy files.
And the printer's really going to value
their working relationship with that kind of designer
as a result.
And that's why you should never be afraid to ask questions.
And then when you start designing
with the realities of the printing processes in mind,
your print jobs are going to run more smoothly,
the quality is going to meet your expectations,
you'll meet your deadlines, and most importantly,
the stress quotient will go down for you,
for your clients and for your printer.