• Missing graphics.
• Resolution too high or too low in customer-
supplied scans.
After the documents or pages have been created,
proofed, and corrected, they are ready to send to
the printer for output. At this point, the production
department can begin prefl ighting. Prefl ighting
begins with printing out color separations and
composite hard copies. The printer can refer to these
copies if problems are encountered with production,
pagination, color, or even text fl ow.
Once the separations and composites are printed,
all the graphics should be linked. All page composition
programs allow the user to select link or reference
options as the art is imported. In QuarkXPress®, for
example, all the graphics in the document are linked
to the Quark® fi le unless the art was created with the
drawing tools in Quark®. There are many benefi ts to
linking art fi les. If all the graphics are embedded in
a document fi le and one piece of art is corrupted,
the entire project can be lost. When the art fi les are
linked instead of embedded, only the corrupt piece of
art needs to be recreated.
When prefl ighting fi les, check to ensure every
graphic used in the fi le is on the disc. If a graphic fi le
is missing, the art will print as low-resolution images
or bitmapped placeholders. Include the original art
fi les in a separate directory for linked graphics that
are in a non-editable format. Print a list of all fi les
included on the disc(s), as well as how many discs
are included for the project. Prepare a checklist to
help verify that all graphic, font, and color components
are present and correct.
After the basic prefl ighting is complete and proofs
have been output, create a letter that outlines the
software and fonts that were used to create the fi les,
trapping requirements, print specifi cations, and any
other pertinent information, Figure 7-36. Prefl ighting
also requires checking fonts and the color palette.
Font formats and management are covered in the
previous section. For detailed information on color
management, refer to Chapter 10.
Career
L
ink
Prefl ight Technician Prefl ight Technician
The prefl ight technician uses digital imaging
technology to achieve the planned requested
job. When using this technology, the prefl ight
technician takes the electronic fi les that are
given to him or her by the customer and checks
them for all aspects of completeness. It is very
similar to the checklist a pilot goes over before
the plane takes off; the formalized prefl ight
manual checklist makes sure everything is in
order. Therefore, the prefl ight technician tasks
are critical to the elimination of output problems
of the electronic fi les. Prefl ighting software can
speed up the process. Sometimes checklists and
software are both used by the prefl ight technician.
Some of the responsibilities of the prefl ight
technician include making sure submitted
discs are not damaged; ensuring discs are
readable; checking in-house font availability;
checking for missing material on submitted
discs; checking for correct size indications;
checking for proper trapping and adequate
bleeds; and checking for font problems, All
these prefl ighting tasks ensure the digital job
is ready for the intended output device. The
ability to work closely with the customer and
other departments is an imperative attribute.
The prefl ight technician should have
formal postsecondary graphic communications
training in digital technology; an associate
degree is often stated as a requirement in the
job description. It is also benefi cial to be familiar
with the printing process and production
workfl ow. Prefl ight technicians must have good
communication and basic problem-solving skills,
be comfortable with the pressure of deadlines, and
be profi cient with computer applications.
“Students entering the graphic
communications discipline need to have a
variety of skills for employment in our ever-
changing industry. They need to be versed in
the practical application of traditional web and
offset printing, digital printing, prepress and
prepress software, print management, and to
have a fi rm understanding of the Internet and
how it relates to the printing industry.”
Tony Mancuso
Typography Unlimited, Inc. (TUI)
152