There was a time when every job I ever printed had a press check. Those days are long gone. However, some of you still insist on doing a press check. You need to stop doing this for several reasons.
First you’re stealing from your company. How you ask? Let’s put it this way, press checks or pain in the ass to print companies and cost press time. So we charge for them. You might not see a line item on your invoice “press check” but you’re still paying for it. Also, when I knew a customer’s going to do a press check I also added extra money on top of it to cover my time. I worked straight commission and my time is valuable so anytime I had to do a press check I put an extra $100 on top of it.
Also, a press check slowdown the process. The company I work for always did checks during normal business hours. This is in case there’s a problem and all key managers were around to address it. So now instead of having your job print Monday night its printing on Wednesday morning so you can come see it. You just lost two production days.
Finally, what you sign off on isn’t going to be what the finished product looks like. Starting and stopping a press changes some variables. As a press runs the ink viscosity changes. Sure the press operators work to keep things consistent, but the color will change over time. Most press runs are under 10,000 sheets, you spend more time messing with color in the press does running.
With of direct to plate, digital proofing and Color management the need for press checks has basically disappeared. If you’re printing company cannot match it’s proof then you need a new printing company. Period!
There are a handful of times where I would recommend a press check.
1. Doing special affects, Such as a strike threw varnish.
2. Really, really long runs
3. Special colors, such metallics, or fluorescents.
4. Or your first job with the company
Other than the above mentioned you’re wasting your time and money.
So if you’re just doing press checks to get out of work, call your sales rep and have them take you to lunch it’s cheaper for everybody and more enjoyable.
First you’re stealing from your company. How you ask? Let’s put it this way, press checks or pain in the ass to print companies and cost press time. So we charge for them. You might not see a line item on your invoice “press check” but you’re still paying for it. Also, when I knew a customer’s going to do a press check I also added extra money on top of it to cover my time. I worked straight commission and my time is valuable so anytime I had to do a press check I put an extra $100 on top of it.
Also, a press check slowdown the process. The company I work for always did checks during normal business hours. This is in case there’s a problem and all key managers were around to address it. So now instead of having your job print Monday night its printing on Wednesday morning so you can come see it. You just lost two production days.
Finally, what you sign off on isn’t going to be what the finished product looks like. Starting and stopping a press changes some variables. As a press runs the ink viscosity changes. Sure the press operators work to keep things consistent, but the color will change over time. Most press runs are under 10,000 sheets, you spend more time messing with color in the press does running.
With of direct to plate, digital proofing and Color management the need for press checks has basically disappeared. If you’re printing company cannot match it’s proof then you need a new printing company. Period!
There are a handful of times where I would recommend a press check.
1. Doing special affects, Such as a strike threw varnish.
2. Really, really long runs
3. Special colors, such metallics, or fluorescents.
4. Or your first job with the company
Other than the above mentioned you’re wasting your time and money.
So if you’re just doing press checks to get out of work, call your sales rep and have them take you to lunch it’s cheaper for everybody and more enjoyable.