Make sure your printer fully understands the nature of the job. Take the time to review your specifications, making sure that you have communicated them clearly and that you haven't left out any important details. Make sure your specs are in writing and in a prominent position.

Press Checklist
Be sure to include colors, size, quantity, paper, special graphics or imaging requirements, position and trims for photographs, halftone screens, bleeds, embossing, etc. Type of proof required, binding requirements and Delivery date! Be sure to include a comprehensive dummy of your job. This is probably one of the most important items you need to include with your job. Be sure your include a mock-up of your job showing the correct position of all pages or panels and and how they back up to each other. Be certain to trim or fold the dummy to the finished size. It is not necessary to send an actual size dummy, a smaller version is fine as long as it represents what the final job should look like. Check your specs to make sure they dont pose any potential press problems.

Stock & Coatings
If youre using matte stock and the ink coverage is modest. Make sure you specify Aqueous coating and be sure to include the cost in your budget. This will prevent any scuffing or scratches which commonly occur when matte papers are folded or die cut. Coatings come in Matte or Gloss so there is no need to sacrifice the look you are trying to achieve. The coating in this case is purely for protection purposes rather than aesthetics.

Proofing
Make sure we know where to reach you if we should encounter any problems running your job after normal business hours. If youll be coming on a Press Check , after you have achieved the desired color balance, make sure to: Check the proof(s) to the press sheet(s) and make certain that everything on the proof that is supposed to be there is on the press sheet. Check to see that any and all changes to the proof were made. Check register and trapping. Circle and note unwanted defects such as streaks, scratches, hickeys or ghosts. You sign off on the color OK and take several of the sheets with you.