- A rigid board prevents bending that can cause your pasted elements to pop off or move on the page.
- The camera photographs light blue as white so use a blue pencil to sketch in lines to help position the elements.
- Paper or board with predrawn blue lines/grid can aid in alignment and placement of elements (available from graphic art supply companies). Use a T-square, ruler, and triangle to ensure straight lines both when cutting apart printed elements and when assembling them on the mechanical.
- Use a razor or straight edge knife rather than scissors to ensure smooth straight cut edges.
- You can affix elements using wax, rubber cement, or adhesive spray. Whatever you use work carefully to avoid bubbles and be sure edges are firmly pressed in place.
- Keep your fingers clean and dry! (may seem obvious but one little smudge or bit of moisture can wreck your layout)
- Cut edges can sometimes show up in a negative or when photocopied. Use opaque liquid (sort of like typewriter correction fluid if you remember that stuff!) to paint cut edges.
- Consult your printer when preparing mechanicals for "camera ready" art. They may have specific requirements or suggestions for best results.
Cut and Paste Tips
By Jacci Howard Bear, About.com
Your mechanical is the assembled elements of your document ready for the printers camera or the printshop photocopier. Methods of preparation vary but here are a few guidelines:
Prepress FAQs and Definitions
What Kind of Boards are Used for Mechanicals?Definition of Camera Ready ArtworkTraditional Design and Prepress
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