Final Stages of Commercial Printing

Even just the final stages of commercial printing could still be considered a lengthy process. This is the pre-press stage and this is when the things are prepared so that a design is transferred onto paper or a client requires. Although you may think that these are already the final stages and touches could just be simple, these are important to ensuring the quality of the printed materials that the printer produces. This also spells the fine line in customer satisfaction.

Here are the different aspects to the final stages of printing.

1. Quality Control - The printing machine is automatic however, it is not free of glitches. Once the operator loads everything and starts running the presses, he has to check the quality of the printing, such as the degree of impression, the colors, the registration, and the like. He makes an initial run to see if everything looks good and if it does, he continues. If not, he makes adjustments. If the initial run satisfies the operator and his supervisor, they continue. However, they also continually check the output from time to time to see that there are no glitches. The operator will then check if all the instructions are carried, such as the number of copies and the right kind of paper was used.

2. Finishing - After the materials are printed, they are passed on to the finishing department. Depending on client specifications, the printed materials will be folded, laminated, bound, and die cut. If not, the very least of the finishing process would be the trimming so that everything is straight and well aligned.

3. Packing and Delivery - When the finishing touches have been carried, the printed materials are then packed for delivery to the client. Alternatively, they are properly packed for shipping, depending on the location of the client. If shipping is required, special packaging is needed so that the materials will not be damaged during shipping. The materials are then properly labeled so that they will not get to the wrong hands. The labels do not only contain the name of the clients but also the printing specs as well.

4. Invoicing - When the materials are delivered, an invoice is attached. It includes not only the printing charges but also the details of the printing job. This will be for the counterchecking of the job by the finance departments of both the client and your printing office. The invoice will also include the payment conditions.

5. Follow up - After the items have been delivered, the printer should at least make a call to the client and ask if they have received the items in good condition. If there are complaints, these should be addressed immediately. If you need to re-print the materials, then do so. This is the responsibility of a commercial printer. You will indeed lose money this way but that is just the way things work. There are risks that you take when you venture in to commercial printing. When you or your people make mistakes, the company will have to do a reprint or else you will lose your clients. That would be a bigger loss. Just make sure that your quality is controlled so that you will not always have to do reprints.