Working with Printer’s Proofs

It is important to discuss with the print buyer how much system time we have budgeted in a job. System time includes any Photoshop work or adjustments to images, and any copy changes that we want the printer to make.

A few days after the job files have been collected by the Studio and sent to the printer, we will receive a printer’s hard proof and PDF. The print buyer responsible for that particular job will ask the designer to come and review it. We have a large color booth for this purpose.

The designer reviews the hard proof and copy edit reviews the PDF and indicates any changes that need to be made. Usually the designer does this with the print buyer and sometimes an editor may be included.

Changes that are our department’s responsibility (for example, text changes, text color, or adding or changing an image) are considered Author’s Alterations (AA’s), and our department pays for them if they cause us to exceed our budget. Other changes, such as color adjustments to images and minor text changes, are routinely done by the printer and are included in the budget for system time.

When all changes are indicated, the print buyer will return the proof to the printer. A day or two later we receive the second proof. Hopefully, we can sign off on those changes and the job can go to press.

Number of samples are preestablished for magazines. Designers will receive 10 samples for marketing collateral, depending on run size. Designers should always receive at least 3–5 samples.