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File Preparation @ Use Commercial Printers (13) Separations @ Use Service Bureaus (5) Finishing @

Talk to Your Printer
When do you first talk to your printer (or service bureau) about a desktop publishing project? When your project is ready for printing? Halfway through the project? Ideally, you should talk with your printer as soon as you take on a new project -- perhaps even before you accept it from your client.

How to Get the Photo Quality Custom Printing that your Competitors Have
Your competitors' custom printing projects have it - their marketing materials are vibrant, photo quality works of art. Even your smaller competitors with smaller marketing budgets have it. Their presentation folders and brochures, even their business cards are photo-sharp. How can they afford the photo quality results they get? Do they have a better marketing team?

How Does Commerical Offset Printing Differ From Desktop Printing?
The two primary differences in offset printing processes and desktop (inkjet) printing are the colors of ink and the way the ink is placed on the paper. The method of printing dictates how the desktop publishing document must be prepared.

Printing Methods for Desktop Publishing
Discover the range of printing processes and when to use which type of printing method in this quick overview of the various types of desktop and commercial printing processes including inkjet, offset lithography, flexography, and laser.

Printing Processes by Type of Project
How will you get it printed? Even if you know that flexography, offset litho, and dye-sublimation are all different printing methods, you may not know which one is best for your particular project. While there may not be hard and fast rules for when to use a specific printing method, these general guidelines may help you narrow your choices.

Printing Production Time and Money-Savers
Use these tips when planning your printing.

Take Control of the Printing of Your Desktop Publishing Projects
Don't let a service provider dictate your hardware and software choices. Find one who can accommodate your files and learn how to accommodate their short-comings.

Commercial Printing Processes
TechTutorial gives an overview of the major printing processes and provides a chart showing suitability for long or short runs and relative cost (low/moderate/high) for each.

Printing and the Environment
AIG Environmental briefly describes several processes then discusses hazards and environmental impact of printing.

Printing Industry
This manual has an overview of many different processes as well as sections covering pollution prevention practices in printing and federal regulations relevant to printing.

Printing Troubleshooting Guide
TechTutorials guide covers hardware, network, software, and performance issues and steps to follow for resolving printing issues.