Turning the intangible into matter Part 3
09. Security: Control
Follow procedures and perform controls. Create a smart checklist. Compare your 1up with the client’s file to avoid missing things (always keep native files untouched), check the 1up to confirm all rules have been met, check the color separations and the RA by placing the die cut on top, re-check the cutter and tools.
There is always the “compare” feature that can give decent results, but do not forget that one will -in almost every case- need to make data fine-tuning and other small changes. The “compare” feature does not always work properly, so an experienced and especially careful eye, can find mistakes, see incomplete trimming, make comparisons.
Barcode readability is required and must be scanned before printing on a digital proof. After checking the 1up, customer approval is essential. Inform the customer about what needs to be approved in each electronic or digital proof; approving the color by sending them an electronic proof is not acceptable.
Make sure they understand exactly why, ie the monitor has no color relevance to the print result, so emphasize that they can not approve the color; they approve the artwork only by the correctness of its elements and the changes they may have asked for. The color approval requires their signature on a print proof (digital or printed color sample).
Assure them in writing about Pantone colors and metallic inks, that the printer will obey the color scales and recipes. It is the printer’s obligation to check the compliance with X-Rite.
10. The Wardrobe: Asset Library
It is the dowry and in it one must find all the necessary goodies. The goal is to reduce time and data retrieval. Create folders with cutters (singles and RAs), logos, create and keep color palettes with designer inks, customer inks, special inks. One must take the time to create folders with things that they will find useful in the future. Create a shared digital space with your partners where you will store all these goodies.
One should take advantage of the time during which they may be more relaxed from work pressure and that does not seem to be very productive and turn it into a creative endeavor. One can even record specific tasks and how they overcame a problem to look back on the next time a similar issue presents itself.
Good organization reduces stress and provides great solutions.
11. Our Planet: Fine Tuning
We do not allow material waste. We do not allow industrial waste. Fully linked to resource economy (No 8). Nesting and co-printing help to reduce the cost and the number of plates / clichés to be produced, in man-hours but also in the speed of printing.
The distance between the objects on a plate should be as large as necessary for proper cutting. Single cuts are not always the best solution to avoid waste, especially if different colors are involved, but also very long distances create larger printing shapes, as is often the case with the “Banding” effect. If long distances are necessary for some reason, the way to avoid it is to fill in the gaps with low raster. Co-printing often requires separation of items.
Be sure they can be safely collected and be very careful.
12. Survival: Sustainability
Includes concepts such as maintain, support, last. Making decisions for better processing, our actions and their future perspective is the part associated with our work. We want products that have consistent quality, durability. Ensure the corporate purpose and viability of the enterprise. We make sure that every detail of our work is in line with the good name of the company.
The innovation we can develop, combining environmental protection and file preparation for the printing procedure, with less waste and a smaller environmental footprint, is our involvement. Suggest editing, reduce inks, use technology, use QR codes, Data Matrix, Digimark, Braille, ... to increase the consumer’s experience, reducing the cost of raw materials to manage.u
Sharing knowledge and solutions with your colleagues not only makes your life easier; it creates security, adds value to the team and makes you a better and more trustworthy leader. The speed of processing tasks can bring your company to a higher position in the field and to you a better pay and a better name in the market.
Sharing knowledge means “I have researched and overcome the problem and now I am ready to offer it to the team to make it stronger".
Epilogue
I mentioned above some of the main issues that occupy the job of a printing technologist. What I want to emphasize is that our work is absolutely creative but also absolutely productive at the same time.
We are the ones who take the intangible idea and lead it correctly to its transformation into matter; we make it a real object with a material substance, a child that everyone can lift in their hands, while at the same time maintaining the uniqueness of the creator’s idea, without diminishing his original inspiration. Properly executed work can create a chain of interactions and emotions of many more people.
Last but not least, our commitment to our work is our commitment to the way we choose to live. Our intangible commitment can have a positive imprint on everyone, with material and intangible substance.
