1.1 Graphic Print Production Flow
8 Basic Steps:
Strategic work
Creative work
Images and Text
Layout work
Prepress
Printing
Finishing and Binding
Distribution

1.& 2. Deal with concept and outline work
is print needed?
3.& 4. Creative phase
5.,6.,7.,8. Mainly industrial aim to carry out decisions

1.1.1 Strategic Work
Questions to define product
Goals?
Whom the product is for?
What is product used for?
Dealing with Marketing and Info Tech(IT) dept.
Maybe deal with Advertising and Design/Media Advisors

1.1.2 Creative Work
Developing design
Determine message
How to best communicate/ per audience
Type of printed product?
Should product say?
Product look like?

1.1.3 Images and Text
Need to check and adjust digital image before print
Technical requirements for image
technical quality
creative goal
Pixel (based images-photos-need resolution of 300 ppi
Label image standard
IPTC – International Press Telecommunications Council standard
Dealing with photographers, illustrators, journalists, author, retouch specialist, prepress company and printing house
Customers approves text, illustrations and image proofs at this time.
Figure 1.2
Each production phase, need to know what the following steps will require.

1.1.4 Layout
Must be a layout that is attractive and works with preparing a printing plate.
Typography Color
Manuscript Color/Combo
Image Editing Logo Types

Color Systems
RBG – Red, Green, Blue – Screens
CMYK – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black – Print
Pantone – Special print colors as compliments to the 4 print colors
Proofs – PDF – Standard
Done by advertising bureas, design studios, print house, marketing dept., publishing co.
Customer approves finished Layout at his point

1.1.5 PrePress
Work steps and techniques required to create print – adjust digital files that can be foundation for the productions of a printing form.
create Hi-Res pdf files
print adjustment of images and docs
proofing
imposition
rasterizing

1.1.6 Printing
Determined by quality requirements
size of the print run
printing material
format
type of printed product

Printed Press Technique
best for large print runs.
most common – offset printing, Gravure, flexographic, screen
uses printing plates, printing blocks for flexographic printing
Printing Plates – static

Printer Technique
No printing plate, every print unique
suited for smaller runs- 500 copies
most common – xerographic, inkjet dye sublimation

Advantages of Digital Printing
Contents can vary from sheet to sheet
Start up costs are low
no makereadies, no film or plates

1.1.7 Finishing and Binding
Imposition: how pages are arranged on the printed sheets
determined by finishing and binding

Why type of finishing and binding procedures? Early

Surface Processing
Cropping and Trimming
Binding

1.) Surface Processing
to create raised areas on paper
emphasize picture with partial varnishing
create metal effects with foil
protect against wear and tear
laminate to increase folding endurance
varnish sheets – quicker to bind, without waiting for ink to dry

2.) Cropping and Trimming
Physically shaving paper
cropping – cut and trimmed to right format and even edges
die-cutting- die-cut into another shape or perforated
punching – holes punched for binders
folding – form pages from the printed sheets
creasing – to mark a fold

3.) Binding
joining sheets into single entity
how to put together
metal stitched and spiral bound – cover is attached during binding
soft cover – cover is glued to spine and put on during stitching
hard cover – end papers are glued to inside covers and is done during a separate stitching step.

Finishing and Binding at printing house and book binderies.

1.1.8 Distribution
Costs surpass print costs
Companies specialize

1.2 What Affects Costs?

1.2.1 Makeready and Start-up Costs
print house – press cost and time available in year $300-$900 an hour

Makeready-
serves to prepare the printing press and make the settings and adjustments that are required to get 1st approved printed sheet.

Costs – Directly relates to the number of sheers to be printed
Number of sheets – influenced by the size of print run and format and volume of printed product.

1.2.2 Print Run, Format and Volume

Print Run= # of copies
Format = size of product
Volume = # of pages – Defines printed product ad determines cost

1000 copies = digital
1000 plue copies = sheet fed offset press
50,000 plus or minus – web fed offset printing
300,000 plus = gravure printing

vary – format and volume

Format
determines number of pages from a printed sheet
big affect on cost
stay close to ANSI standard sizes

Volume
more pages = more $
evenly distributed number of pages, divisible b 4,8, or 16

Direct link between print run, format, volume
all affect number of sheets

1.2.3 Colors
B &W cheaper
Webfed offset and digital limited to 4 colors
flexographic 4 plus ink ducts
sheet fed offset 4 plus ink ducts

1.2.4 Image Editing
retouching
selections
proofing
adjustments
charged by hour – $65 per hour to $300 per hour
greater the volume may charge price per picture

1.2.5 Layout Work
Template-based
Advanced Design
from sketch of idea
May use proofs of an available document
typography from existing document
fitting advertising into given format
fitting text in existing template
develop original layout (sketch)
Billed per hour
or per page on larger projects
Hourly and per page prince varies depending on complexity of size of task

1.2.6 Prepress
creating and checking PDF’s or QuarkXpress, InDesign, or Illustrator files
adjusting documents/images for printing
product printers proofs -billed by piece $40-150
impositions
setup print form
cost archival digital material
automated mostly now a days
billed by the hours
$65 to $250 per hour
depends on complexity and size of task
Dont underestimate proofing time and eac stage that needs to be proofed

1.2.7 Finishing and Binding
Treatment of surface
varnish
laminate
foiling
stamping

handling printed sheet
cropping
hole punching
perforating
creasing

Various binding
spiral binding
glue binding
stitched binding

Varnish – no great cost
Laminate, Foil, Stamp – big cost
Spiral bind and tread sewn – big cost
Simple staple/Glue bind – less cost

$cost based on start up cost
cost per piece of finished and bind
number of pages
imposition of print sheet affect # of makereadies
fewer pages per printed sheet has room for
size of print run more pages in printed product
determines price per piece

1.2.8 Paper
think about the cost
General Rule: larger the print run, larger the papers share of production cost
Fact: most ordinary qualities of paper do not differ more than 15 % in price from one another.

Some things I did right and other things I certainly failed at, but the perspectives of my actions were always tainted with serious errors.  My self-esteem was constantly compromised and I missed out on really being present.

I have not found the answer to this dilemma but I am a work in progress.  I do realize that I am not alone in this struggle.  I do realize that there is no such thing as perfect.  I do realize that I must schedule me-time into my days, just as I schedule play time for the kids.  Now, I know the sayings that are being thrown around by a lot of people now a days… “If you don’t care for yourself, you can’t care for others.” “If you don’t love yourself, you can’t love others.” “Put the oxygen mask on yourself before you put your child’s mask on.” and so on and so on and so on, but in reality that is not always possible.

I do know the consequences for not making yourself a priority, from personal experience.  You regret choices, resent your family, become jealous of those you feel have it easier than you, become ungrateful, lose mindfulness, lose your dreams, and get completely lost in everyone else’s needs rather than your own.  This is not a fun path.  I enter it several times a year without even knowing.  It is so simple to lose yourself and get so wrapped up in what you think is “life”.  Then, it hits you like a brick wall.  You never know where the insight comes from…a friend pointing out an activity you would never have let pass by if you were paying attention, or a bout of days in which uncontrollable spurts of crying occur seemingly over nothing.  It is like starting over from the beginning every time you lose track like that.

What is nice about all this, is that you can recover yourself and your priorities.  Not that it is easy or the same process for everyone, but it can be done, so there is hope; a light at the end of the tunnel.  I have to remember the activities that I enjoyed prior to children, what my dreams were and evaluate my needs and current desires.  After taking some time to figure that stuff out, I have to find actions that are in accordance with meeting my families needs and my own, without anyone sacrificing values.  It sounds simple doesn’t it. HA!!  It is not.  And like I said, sometimes it is truly not possible.  That is when it truly hurts… aches all the way down into your chest.  We do our best and sometimes our best is not enough.  ASK FOR HELP!!!

What!  Share my problems and inadequacies?!?  Show my vulnerabilities!?!  Are you crazy!?!

Yes. But that is besides the point.

We are so scared of being judged and criticized, that we rather suffer and be miserable.  I remember hearing “It takes a village”.  This doesn’t seem to apply to today’s society but I wish every day that it was a common understanding and standing practice.  Instead, we must create a village.  Not just for our children’s sake, but our own, as well.  Our family, friends, churches and other groups are our village.

It takes extreme trust in your village to reach out and allow them to know ALL of you, not just the show you put on.  This is a big leap for many mothers and the fear of the fall out or unknown can be crippling.  There may be judgment or criticism.  We must accept that fact.  We also need to realize that usually by sharing our challenges, we allow others to find space to share.  This has a surprising affect.  Support.

Very quickly, it will be clear which of those people in your village have the ability to be of immediate help.  Don’t discount the ones who shy away or even openly criticize.  You don’t know their story.  Those that stand with you are offering a part of their life to be joined with yours.  This is not something you turn away from due to pride or worry of being in debt to others.  It is offered with love and compassion.  Not pity.  Not ulterior motives.  Accept this help and love with grace and humility.

We all need help at various times in our life.  Sometimes we are the one receiving the help and other times we are the one offering the help.  Think about all the times you have offered a hand to a friend; at any point did you feel the need to judge or hurt them?  Feeling as though you were useful and able to make a difference in someone else’s life is such a lovely uplifting experience.  It is a rare gift to be in a position to really show your thankfulness for friends in your life.  Being helpful is one of the most satisfying ways to show appreciation of the ones you love.

Allow your village the opportunity to feel this gift of giving.  ASK FOR HELP!!!  Show your soft underbelly.

As for my personal journey I am currently evaluating my interests, needs, and desires.  I am attempting to make me-time by joining a local gym for woman,  calling various organizations in search of help with T., and reading a book called, “Living the Posh Mom Life” which doesn’t always apply to my situation but has given me some inspiration to maintain ME as a priority and lose the guilt.  So, like I said, I am a work in progress.  I still have trouble asking for help, but I am getting better at it.  I try to be very aware of my interactions with other moms.  No matter the situation, no one is going through something worse than any other.  It is just different.  We must support each other and share with each other.  Our challenges will be at various times, giving us ample opportunities to help and support one another.  ….if we allow it.

B. has been home for almost three weeks from Scattergood Friends School, where he started his Junior year of High School this fall, for vacation.  T. is back in school at the Life Skills program, where he has been attending since this Fall, from a two week vacation.  S. is back to his regular routine of going to the gym in the morning then work, then back home for dinner.  I begin my next semester of classes at Kirkwood Community College, continuing my slow steady progress towards my associates degree in Graphic Communication, on the 17th of Jan.

The New Year has begun.  I have been feeling very vacant and disconnected to everything around me for quite some time, so in hopes of rekindling being more present in my life I have turned back to this form of expression, blogging.  I find I reflect more accurately and thoughtfully upon my life through this process of writing to the blogging void.

To play a little catch up regarding the Holidays….

Peanut Butter Cups…

Brian came to visit us for the Solstice.  That was so fun having him here.

Chocolate Raspberry filled…

Did I mention after almost two years of hair growing B. finally gave up on having his hair long.  On his own accord he chose to have his haircut, SHORT!!  I love it!! Finally he has peripheral vision back!

He looks so grown up now!!

Turtles…

And we got the cutest kitten 6 months ago and she is so grown up now and loving her new Solstice gift.  A huge cat tree with three columns and three levels of play and sleep areas.

I know she is adorable!!

Strawberry Cream filled…

S. is on the local fire department and since May we live 1 minute away from the firehouse, walking. O_o  Yes, you heard  me right.  We moved.  We are still in the middle of No-Wheresville-Iowa, but we now live in town rather than out in the country.  I hate having neighbors.  Not personally, but due to the issues it creates with T.  He is curious and social and has NO boundaries. So it is dangerous for him to play outside when there is so much going on outside, giving him ample time to break the rules.  Rules, like no walking onto other peoples property, no entering peoples homes, no leaving our property, If biking or skootering…no going beyond the boundaries, etc etc etc….It is crazy living in an area in which I have to be a hawk watching this kid, just so he can play outside.  Pathetic, I know.  But necessary.

Dark chocolate Caramels…

Do you know what I did for New Years Eve?  Nothing, but the next day I got the best gift ever!!  6 hours allotted for me to join a girlfriend in a movie marathon with no children and plenty of chocolate on hand.  15 minutes into the movie and both us ladies are passed out on the couch.  Three hours later we wake have a snacky dinner and hang out chatting until I feel sleep coming back upon me.  Again, Pathetic, but wonderful!!!

Chocolate Covered Peanuts…

This week when B. returns to school he begins an Independent Study in the of Japanese Language.  I ordered him a PC program and a textbook.  Now I must go through each and try to create a cohesive lesson plan using them both.  This has meant staring and typing and reading and typing and learning more about Japanese than I ever intended. LOL  I am glad he loves the Language but him learning two languages at the same time seems like overload to me.  He is not phased by it so I guess I will simply follow his judgement.  He is so smart and eager to learn.  This summer he wants to take Trigonometry and Physics courses, continue his TaeKwonDo, and visit colleges.  It’s going to be a big challenge to get everything he wants complete, but I will do whatever I can to make his aspirations come to fruition.

Well, that is enough for now.  Crazy and busy, but mostly in a good way with the only exception being T.  That is just part of my world.