Prepress

Over the last few years, what has traditionally been known as prepress has become a smaller part of the whole world of work flowing into the company. A lot of work goes to the pressroom, but everyday, more and more pieces are being produced through a digital printing application. Some of it even goes to the web or directly into the mail stream.

Almost every job that comes into the shop starts as some sort of digital file, and generally that file needs some direction. For example:

• It needs an order written on it, so we know who it’s for and what to do with it
• It might need something ordered for it, like paper, special ink or a die.
• It may need to be sent somewhere for another process … maybe putting a logo on a coffee mug or shirt. A lot of files get used for more than just one thing.
• We need to know how the file is getting to us and what format it is in.
• And of course, most of our applications will require proofing so that everybody involved can agree what it should look like when done.
• Of course, it might be a re-print, in which case we need to go to the archives and make sure we are pulling the right version and it is all up-to-date.

Any way you look at it, there’s a lot that goes into bridging the gap between what you see on your computer and what you want you want your end product to look like. So, we take great care to make sure electronic files are evaluated, processed and prepared for their next step.

Part of our workflow also includes generating proofs. In most instances the right kind of proof is key. Agreeing on how the job should look before we start eliminates dissatisfaction when the process is completed.

To manage the workflow process, we support all major software on PC and Macintosh platforms – Adobe, Quark, Macromedia (now Adobe), Microsoft and others. Plus, we are a Certified Adobe Service Provider.

We feel like electronic file transfer is the greenest, most effective way to get your job to us. When your document is too big to e-mail, we offer the ability of uploading large files to our “My Printing” portal. Call if you would like us to walk you through it; transferring files really should be a hassle-free experience.

Need help with file preparation? Between Oregon’s expertise in working with files, our in-house designers, and relationships with a slew of freelance designers and agencies, we can always point you in the right direction for your needs.