Prepress and Printing Software

Prepress is part of the graphic production process and is one of the most important stages for attention to detail and quality control.

Any error that goes undetected before sending the print file to the printer can result in high costs and rework. For this reason, prepress generally involves skilled professionals with a keen eye for detail who are well-versed in printing and layout software to ensure a quick workflow that adheres to print file closure standards.

Prepress Process

Prepress is the first stage of a print workflow, responsible for receiving client files and preparing them for the appropriate printer.

Each printer operates with a specific printing standard that the prepress professional must consider when finalizing the file.

Once the printing equipment is chosen, the file is closed from the client's original. In addition to the machine profile, the prepress professional must also prepare the pages, arranging them according to the material and format.

It is also the prepress professional's responsibility to accurately complete the print form, detailing technical information about the material to be produced, such as paper type and weight, print run quantity, page count, type of graphic finishing, destination printing equipment, among others.

Prepress Issues

Common issues in prepress include font substitution, insufficient image resolution, missing image links, incompatible files, and more.

Some prepress departments develop procedural manuals for preparing and finalizing files to be sent to clients (usually design and advertising agencies) to minimize errors.

In this way, prepress serves as the bridge between the client and production line, translating requirements for the material to be printed.

Prepress – File Closure

File closure is the core focus of the prepress department. It involves preparing the client's original file, converting it to a format compatible with CTP equipment or digital printers. Various formats are accepted by prepress departments, with PDF and EPS being the most common.

There is no consensus on who should be responsible for closing the file, so the print shop and client should agree in advance on standard prepress department procedures.

Find everything you need at ExpoPrint Latin America to stay updated in the prepress field, including printing software and equipment. Among them are:

• Print Integration and Management System

Manual spreadsheets have been replaced by graphic management software and applications that connect all departments of a print company, from purchasing and precise budgeting to production and logistics. Today, everything can be integrated simply and automatically with printing software.

• File Management, Profiling, Image Rasterization Systems (RIP), Imposition, and MIS Systems

The file must be perfect to reach the printer without being returned to the client. To achieve this, a series of software tools are essential in the process leading to printing. The prepress department needs skilled professionals to handle all of them, and ExpoPrint will host top software companies presenting solutions to maximize process automation.

• Tools for Calibration, Color Management, and Image Processing

Regardless of the software a company uses to produce the file to be printed, whether for layout or image processing, the print shop's prepress department must ensure the file is in the correct format with perfect colors.

ExpoPrint will bring together leading color management software companies to ensure every color matches the client’s requirements. To equip your department, monitor calibration equipment, like spectrophotometers, will also be present at the event.

• Web-to-Print

Beyond software, systems are essential for print companies to reach more clients. Web-to-print, represented at ExpoPrint, enables print companies to offer their services on an online platform in the most automated way possible.

What is Prepress and Premedia?

Prepress is the stage that uses software for creating digital content (files) focused on graphic printing, color control, cost control, production, and other steps involved before sending the job for printing.