Managing the proof approval process helps keep jobs on track
Your printer wants you to be happy. One of the most important ways is to finish your job when you need it. Proofing is an important step in the flow of a job. The proofing process helps ensure your printer meets your needs if it is managed well.
It's not a surprise that communication is a critical component of this process. Your printer needs to let you know when proofs will be ready. In turn, they need a feel for when it will be returned and how extensive the changes might be. Clarifying these three items early in the process paves the way for a smooth proofing cycle and on-time completion of the finished process.
When you send in a job you should receive an order confirmation. If you don't, ask for one. The confirmation should include a proof date. A range of days should be fine if that day is narrowed down later in the process, possibly after a preflight is completed.
If you know when you'll receive the proofs you can set aside time to review them. Discussion is critical at this juncture. You and your printer need to agree on when you'll receive the proof when it will be returned. That way your printer can allocate press time and the job will keep on schedule.
The final part of the equation is some input from you regarding the amount of anticipated changes. Most times you will have a gut feeling based on your experience. This knowledge helps your printer plan. If she knows there are likely to be a lot of changes she can try to get the proof done earlier. At the least she can alert her prep department that changes and reproofing will be required. It's better to plan for it in advance rather than deal with it when the proofs are returned.
These steps allow your job to stay on schedule. Press time is allocated and your job is ready to print. The job delivers on-time and you're happy!
