Pre-Press for Printing Production

IN SUMMARY preflight checks resolution bleeds safe zone trim margin embedded fonts spot color/CMYK conversion editing retouching ink densities typography scale vector works file transfer check the quality and print standards DETAIL request printer specific guidelines, if available, otherwise proceed follow standard printing best practices (many printers have specific requirements as to file format, bleeds, color builds, etc) open the PSD file, save a copy as a back up, make sure the file is built to the correct dimension, including bleed, typically .125 inch unless the printer requires more, check the resolution based on the output requirement, delete unnecessary layers, check that all fonts are correct, confirm correct color space is correct, inspect the file for any oddities or issues (artifacts, gaps, mask issues, etc), obviously confirming any changes with the client first. Make sure the image looks good. Check the Ink levels for issues. Save the working file. Probably, dependent on the printer's requirements, place the PSD in a new InDesign file, since PSD can't do crops, placing the PSD file in Indesign allows crops and bleed to be done properly. Also, PDFs created from Indesign are MUCH smaller in size without reduced output quality. InDesign is objectively better at making PDFs! I also like using Indesign as it is an easy way to see the color separations and double-check total ink levels. Create two PDFs, one using the "Smallest file size" setting to create a PDF for circulating in the approval process and a second using whatever PDF setting the printer requests, or if the printer is unknown, using the "Press Quality" PDF setting. Most printers have a PDF format preference. Once approved I would package up the InDesign file, the PSD file and any fonts used in either, and ZIP those files, and depending on requirements, upload those file to the printer's FTP, upload them to the clients FTP or place the files in Dropbox and provide a link to retrieve them. Include notes detailing any specific issues that the printer should be aware of.