Editing Prepress (section)

==Processes==
[[File:Digital Prepress in Germany.tif|thumb|Digital prepress]]
[[File:EIZO FORIS FS2332 021 (5942204125).jpg|thumb|Color matching]]
[[File:Nuancier Pantone 2 (Cut out).jpg|thumb|Color swatches]]
[[File:8up imposition.svg|thumb|Imposition layout]]

# [[Bookbinding|Binding selection]] gives the customer multiple options for the spine of the publication such as Saddle-stitched,<ref name="Perfect">Perfect binding vs saddle stitching, paperspecs.com {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205085454/https://www.paperspecs.com/caught-our-eye/perfect-binding-vs-saddle-stitching/ |date=2022-12-05}} (last checked 2022-12-18)</ref> Perfect Bound<ref name="Perfect" /> or [[Hard Cover|Case Bound]], also [[Coil binding|Spiral]], [[Wire binding|Wire]] and [[Comb binding|Comb]] binding are possible. Each has its merits and suits a particular number of pages.
# Preparing artwork involves setting [[Color management#Color profiles|color profiles]], [[Bleed (printing)|bleed]], [[Printing registration|registration]] and [[Printing#Crop marks|crop marks]] as specified by the printers, use [[spot color|spot colors]], [[Trap (printing)|trapping]] and [[Overprinting|overprint]] as needed. Check [[Transparency (graphic)#Transparency in PDF|transparency flattening]] results and allow for creep.<ref>Page Creep, Smart Press {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524065542/https://smartpress.com/support/printing-basics/page-creep |date=2022-05-24}} (last checked 2022-12-17)</ref>
# [[Pre-flight (printing)|Pre-flight]] is an automatic scan of the document using the printers pre-defined profile to find errors before submitting.<ref>Analyzing documents with the Preflight tool, Adobe Acrobat Pro {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103175845/https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/analyzing-documents-preflight-tool-acrobat.html |date=2022-11-03}} (last checked 2022-12-19)</ref>
# [[Raster image processor|Raster Image Processor (RIP)]] is the software/hardware that processes the print-ready files into a [[Rasterisation|rasterized]] format that the printer can understand.<ref>EFI Fiery RIP {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219221124/https://communities.efi.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/document/download/069f2000008AANPAA4?operationContext=S1 |date=2022-12-19}} (last checked 2022-12-19)</ref>
# [[Prepress proofing|Proofing]] involves creating an accurate copy of the artwork before beginning production runs. This serves as a bond between the printer and their customer that the final product meets an agreed-upon standard. Proofs in general can be done for all parts (images, illustrations, text and colors) of the print product. In this part, three types of proofing should be checked and printed out: the print-ready PDF files, the printer's proof and the imposition proof. Print-ready PDF files should be made after the layout using preflight at the printing house. The printer's proof should be printed out in high resolution and checked by the customer. The imposition proof, which is usually done by the printers, should also be printed out to check and adjust the printing press.<ref>Agfa 2022 Proofing Survey {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219180954/https://www.agfa.com/printing/know-how/2022-proofing-survey-summary/ |date=2022-12-19}} (last checked 2022-12-19)</ref>
# [[Prepress proofing#Soft proof|Soft proofs]] are digital proofs that simulate accurately how the finished publication will look, intended to highlight any future issues.<ref>Agfa Apogee Soft Proofing Tutorial {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127102658/https://apogee.agfa.net/contents/KnowledgeBase/Apogee/Prepress/Downloads/Apogee-Advanced-Tutorial/Softproofing-Advanced-Tutorial-Sample.pdf |date=2021-01-27}} (last checked 2022-12-19)</ref><ref>Adobe Soft Proofing Colors {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022025313/https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/proofing-colors.html |date=2022-10-22}} (last checked 2022-12-19)</ref><ref>Fogra, Soft Proof Handbook {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221205344/https://fogra.org/fileadmin/files/1_forschen/vorstufe/Softproof-General/Publications/Fogra_Softproof_Handbook.pdf |date=2022-12-21}} (last checked 2022-12-21)</ref>
# [[Prepress proofing#Hard proof|Hard proofs]] are physically printed proofs that simulate accurately how the finished publication will look, intended to highlight any future issues. <ref>Agfa Apogee Hard Proofing Tutorial {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127100902/https://apogee.agfa.net/contents/KnowledgeBase/Apogee/Prepress/Downloads/Apogee-Advanced-Tutorial/Hard-Copy-Proofing-Advanced-Tutorial-Sample.pdf |date=2021-01-27}} (last checked 2022-12-19)</ref>
# A [[Prepress proofing#Contract proof|Contract Proof]] serves as the agreement between a customer and a printer which is signed-off before the printing can begin. This can be digitally signed as a digital contract using services like [[Adobe Sign|Acrobat Sign]].<ref>Fogra Contract Proof Certification {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223215115/https://fogra.org/en/certification/prepress-technology/contract-proof-creation |date=2022-12-23}} (last checked 2022-12-23)</ref>
# [[Quality control]] is performed throughout the prepress process but especially after the proofs are produced.
# [[Imposition]] is the arrangement of the printed product’s pages on the printer’s sheet, in order to obtain faster printing, simplify binding and reduce paper waste.<ref>Tilia Labs Imposition Software {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219212916/https://v6.tilialabs.com/phoenix/ |date=2022-12-19}} (last checked 2022-12-19)</ref>
# [[Computer to plate|Computer to plate (CTP)]] uses a laser to burn the image from a computer file onto a printing plate. Plates are made of different materials, depending on the needs of the printing method, usually Thermal, Photopolymer or Silver-Halogen (violet) plates are used. They usually have a processing stage in chemicals or liquid although process free plates are available.<ref>Heidelberg CTP Products {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219210115/https://www.heidelberg.com/global/en/products/offset_printing/computer_to_plate_1/prepress_overview.jsp  |date=2022-12-19}} (last checked 2022-12-19)</ref>

In most modern publishing environments, the tasks related to content generation and refinement are carried out separately from other prepress tasks, and are commonly characterized as part of [[graphic design]].