The three most important things to look for when viewing press sheets are registration, color and cleanliness.

Technology improvements have done wonders for the speed and quality of proofs in recent years. In addition to remote digital proofing, today's inkjet proofing systems offer quality that's very close to the real thing. Despite this ever-expanding palate of available proofing choices, some projects still require a press check to be sure your printed pieces reflect the color and quality you expect.

Before you conduct a press check, you'll want to know what to expect to make your time as productive as possible. To that end, keep in mind these press check “do’s and don’ts”:

DO check the “big three” of registration, color and cleanliness. Every press sheet you inspect should exhibit tight registration and accurate color, and should be free from unwanted elements such as scratches and hickeys.

DO know the critical elements of your piece. It sounds simple, but recognizing which elements of your project are most important will help you make the right decisions quickly. Printing is a mechanical process that has inherent limitations. If you must compromise color accuracy, for example, be sure your critical elements look their best and then move on to the rest of the sheet.

DON'T have more than one decision-maker in attendance. We understand that there are likely several people who share responsibility for the quality and accuracy of your project. However, final decisions should be routed through a single person. The fewer people present at a press check, the smoother it usually goes. As always, our people are available for expert advice during your press check.

The Springfield Advantage
At Springfield Printing, we recognize that your time is precious. That’s why we help you carefully plan your project - and your time - in advance of a press check. Our in-house proofreader gives your documents a comprehensive read-through to be sure noticeable errors are caught before your project is on press. This helps save time and money at this critical stage. Give Springfield Printing a call to begin planning your next successful project.