~ by Barry Buhr, Yearbook Prepress Manager
When it comes to printing your yearbook, there’s one step that can make or break the final product…the preflight check. It might sound like something you’d hear in an airport, but in the world of printing, “preflight” is all about making sure your files are “ready for takeoff” to the press.
So, what is it anyway? A preflight check is a detailed review of your yearbook files before they go into production. It’s the last chance to fix any errors, fix formatting issues, and make sure everything meets the technical requirements needed. Think of it as your final inspection before launch.
It’s important because skipping (or rushing) through preflight can lead to costly mistakes like blurry photos, missing pages, or colours that don’t match your intended design. Our Yearbook Prepress Operators follow a detailed checklist to make sure every file is production-ready, and they are truly meticulous! Some of the things they look for are:
- Special Instructions: Operators review the Notes and Corrections tabs for any custom requests or previous feedback.
- PDF vs. Preview: Every PDF is compared against the approved pages to catch any discrepancies.
- Image Quality: Low-resolution images might look fine on screen but can print fuzzy.
- Emoji/Symbol Scan: Emojis and symbols can cause printing issues, so they’re replaced if necessary.
- Page Consistency: This is about catching overset text, missing backgrounds, and incorrect page numbers.
- Page Size: We want to make sure that it matches the specifications of the yearbook.
Your yearbook cover is included in a preflight check as well…this helps confirm resolution, colour, proof type, and that all components are listed and received.
Preflight checks aren’t a glamourous part of the yearbook journey, but they’re incredibly important as the safeguard for all your hard work. You may not be the ones running those checks, but understanding their importance can help everyone appreciate the care and precision that goes into producing a flawless final book.
