What is prepress?
Introduction
Prepress is a set of techniques used to adapt the design to the final product's characteristics, facilitating its reproduction and adjusting the design to the limitations of the printing system or the features of the equipment we will use for printing.
To achieve this, it is necessary to consider all the factors that make up the product in its various production phases. For this reason, it is advisable to conduct a prepress analysis before starting with the design to account for future needs.
Relationship between prepress and graphic arts
Digital prepress is a phase within the production process of graphic arts. This production process is the journey a product takes from its conception to the final product output.
Therefore, it is a process that cannot and should not be avoided. Performing prepress in the most optimal way helps reduce production costs and achieve quality results efficiently.
Design
Creation of the design and layout of the product
Prepress
Adaptation and optimization of the product for reproduction and printing according to requirements
Printing
Reproduction process through various printing systems
Postpress
The process of applying finishes and assembling the product
What are the phases of digital prepress?
01. Graphic resources treatment
After the initial briefing, the designer begins planning the resources needed for the project. Therefore, this first phase focuses on obtaining and performing the basic treatment of these resources.
Typically, the client provides these resources. For example, in the case of a book, the graphic designer needs to obtain the text and images that make up the book in order to integrate them into the design.
If the client does not have these resources or if the designer is able to create them, then it is necessary to digitize or create these resources for use.
This phase can be summarized as ensuring that the resources we need are available for use and are correct.
02. Specific treatment and adaptation
The reason why it is recommended to conduct a prepress analysis beforehand is because it allows for the project structure and its needs to be planned in advance.
In this phase, we take the raw resources from the first phase and adapt them to where they will be used. This is important because incorrect treatment will result in a waste of resources and a loss of quality.
Depending on the type of resource and its intended use, various treatments are applied, such as configuring color profiles and color spaces, resolution adjustments, formats, and other adaptations.
03. Layout and export
With the resources ready, the integration into the document, also known as layout, is carried out. In this phase, the different resources are placed in their proper positions, and it is checked that everything is correct in its composition.
Important features for the future reproduction of the work are also added, such as crop marks, folding marks, color control strips, bleed margins, space reservations for treatments like varnishing, and management of color samples and spot pantone inks.
After completing this process, the work is packaged and exported to move on to the next phase.
04. Digital prepress proofs
In this phase, various quality tests and checks are carried out, using the elements that were previously added, such as color control strips.
To conduct the tests, a reproduction is made with the characteristics that will be used for the final print run. This way, we have a sample of the final product.
Once the necessary corrections have been made, another proof of the product is created, but this time to serve as a preview for the client of what the final result will be. This is important for contractual testing and potential legal aspects.
05. Final packaging and final print run
Once the digital prepress testing phase is complete, the work is ready to be packaged with the corrections and sent for reproduction. The files that make up the project are sent to the company that will carry out this process, and the green light is given to proceed with the final print run.
Conclusion
Digital prepress is essential in the graphic arts workflow, as it optimizes resources and adapts to the reproduction conditions.
Having a graphic designer who not only designs but also masters prepress is key to improving production processes and raising the quality standards of the final product.
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