Printing, Packaging, Warehousing and Fulfillment Guidelines

By Yaquinto Printing

Printing, Packaging, Warehousing & Fulfillment

If you are looking to print or manufacture, there are some key areas to consider in order to ensure the success of your project. Like so many other endeavors in life, the more information we possess – the more successful our pursuits. So, with that in mind, we gladly offer the following guidelines. Included here are general overviews and check-lists to assist you.

Printing Fundamentals:

∙ Pre-press

Once you select a printing company, ask them for their pre-press instructions. Several printing companies, actually have a pre-press guide that can be sent to help you, your artist, film house, etc. with the preparation of files or films. It can’t be stressed strongly enough – that this phase of production must be correct. If there are problems with files or films – they will carry through, and sometimes even get worse on press.

All that said – here is a list of things to look for and at on your proofs and prototypes:

Measure Twice, Cut Once - Or Something Like That!

It’s “last call” - your “final chance”! The proof that is provided gives you a simulated final

product to inspect. Whether you are provided with bluelines, laminated Matchprints,

HP2500, Kodak Spectrum proofs or a manufactured prototype, it is critical to check

them carefully. They represent exactly what will be produced on press and any required

finishing processes. Below are a few pointers to assist you in checking your proofs:

1. Measure your work - is it the correct dimension - are the margins consistent?

2. If the proof is a manufactured prototype of a box, or other constructed piece,

check for proper assembly, proper fit of other components, etc.

3. If off-line product is submitted, check completely for each component, collation,

and any other variable element.

4. Is the sample folded, perfed, trimmed, etc. correctly? If the piece requires glue

spots, are they indicated?

5. Count the page numbers and also make sure that pages back-up as you

intended.

6. Check the entire piece for typographical errors. After reading for content,

reading copy from back to front or bottom to top is a good way to look for errors.

7. Look at your photographs and art. Are they cropped, positioned, scaled correctly?

8. Does your project require critical registration? If so, check these areas as well.

You will be looking for items that may have been mistakenly masked out or trimmed off.

9. If your job produces in multiple colors, verify that the copy is printing in each color.

10. Check to be certain that previous changes/corrections have been made.

11. If you do find new changes/errors, please mark them clearly with a circle. Use a

wax pencil or permanent marker. Circle anything that seems wrong to you.

Sometimes, blemishes and other irregularities appear in the proofing material –

but are not on your film. However, to be safe - mark everything that looks suspicious.

12. Lighting conditions are very important when examining a process color proof.

5000K is the industry standard. Visual color shifts can occur if the light source is changed.

13. While looking at color - check the neutral colors. Are they in proper balance?

Also, look carefully at white, black and greys (grey balance) - none of these

should show an obvious color cast. If they do, the color is likely out of balance.

14. Next, examine the overall color of your project. Obvious items should be

checked first. In other words, is the grass, green - strawberry, red - sky, blue,

etc. Reds, greens and blues are typically the toughest to match - so focus on these.

15. Be certain that varnish areas (if there are any) are clearly indicated. This includes

glue flaps, etc. where varnish and coatings will not be applied.

16. Verify that screen percentages are correctly indicated.

17. Confirm the paper stock, quantity, and finishing specifications.

18. Have you provided complete delivery instructions? We need place, date, special

delivery instructions, packaging requirements, etc.

∙ Press Check

This is one of the most exciting steps in the whole process – actually watching your product, your idea - take shape and come to life. Whether you actually attend a press check or not should be up to you. Be certain to choose a printing company that is well qualified to approve your job for you – one that performs press checks for their customers on a regular basis. At Yaquinto Printing, a rule-out check is routinely conducted, checking the printed sheet against bluelines, die vinyls, folding prototypes, etc. If you require it, “cut and fan” tests can also be performed at specific pull points - to check for and correct color variations beyond a normal range. If you are performing the check yourself, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. If the job is a rerun, please bring printed samples of your previous run. In

addition, if this piece is a companion piece to other elements, please bring

samples of these other elements with you. In addition, original illustrations,

photos, proofs, transparencies, comps, ink draw-downs or anything else that can

be used for color match should be presented to us before press make-ready.

Note: If you are matching companion pieces, please remember that different

paper stocks, inks, presses, etc. will produce slightly different results. Exact

matches within these parameters are almost impossible.

2. First, look at the big picture. Examine the entire press sheet - not one tiny

section - matching it to your proof. Check to ensure that all elements are in

place - headlines, copy, photos, illustrations, etc. Verify your proof corrections,

be sure to check for back-up.

3. Ask the pressman to verify the stock - also check the size of the piece.

4. A quick tip for checking register is to use a loop or “glass” and examine all sides

of a 4CP image. Look for any dots that might be “hanging” in that image.

5. Check any screen tints you are using - are they the right color? Also, check all

separations, halftones, etc. Make sure they are clean and that the detail is sharp.

6. Using the correct lighting conditions, check the overall color on process color

jobs. Then, check neutral colors, memory colors and the contrasts.

7. Check your varnish - should it be glossy or dull? Is it in register?

8. Next, look for imperfections. Some flaws to watch for are pinholes, hickeys,

ghosting, roller marks, scumming, broken type or rule lines, etc.

9. Go to rule-out - check your job against the folding prototype, die vinyl, or other

proofs. Here, you are looking for correct fold, alignment, trim and die cuts.

10. Number each check sheet, sign, and record the date and time of your

final approval.

11. Re-confirm your finishing and shipping instructions and take several approved sheets with you.

Finishing Touches:

Finishing can mean many different things – depending on the client and the project. It can be as

simple as a UV coating or spot varnish. It can also mean complicated diecuts, folds, or other

designs. Whatever the case may be for your specific project, you should expect to see samples of

the quality you can expect; and in the case of diecuts, box conversion, folds and perfs – you should

also expect to see prototypes.

Below is just a partial list of the some the finishing options that might enhance your project.

∙ foils- stamping, etching, standard, holographic

∙ diecutting – unique shapes, rounded corners, pop-ups

∙ laminating – multiple layer or substrate mounting, film laminating, plastic cells

∙ embossing – single and multi-level, with and without foils

∙ lasercutting – intricate to simple designs

∙ off-line UV coating – pattern and solid;

∙ high-end specialties – glow-in-the-dark, thermal “disappearing” ink, serial and randomized numbering, scratch-off latex and scratch and sniff.

Warehousing, Fulfillment And Shipping:

Whether you utilize your printing company’s services or those of a fulfillment center, look for a

vendor that offers custom-tailored fulfillment plans to serve your specific needs. Ask if you are able

to establish your own shipping accounts from this location in order to maintain better accuracy and

control over your shipping costs. No matter who you choose for these services – check around to

make sure your provider is cost competitive.

Another thing to keep in mind is personnel. At Yaquinto, they not only have a large warehouse staff they also have a full-time fulfillment specialist. In addition, inventory is maintained on an automated system and updated with each order received. This system allows them to process up to 200+ orders a day – producing labels and shipping documentation – even more if you choose to provide labels and shipping paperwork. With few exceptions, all orders received are shipped within 24 – 72 hours, depending on the time of order placement and the volume of the order. This type of service and the turn-times can vary – be certain to specify your requirements when selecting a vendor . Here are some other check-lists to go through to make your selection more successful:

Services

• Scripted Assembly (specific items in each box)

• Pic-N-Pac (mix of items based on request – different shipments to each location)

• Warehousing

• Shipping

• Documentation (P.O.D.s and B.O.L.s)

• Separate Shipper Accounts/Phone Lines

Boxes

• What’s Going In The Box?

• Is This The Final Shipper Or Is It Kitting In Another Carrier?

• Is 200# Test Going To Be Enough?

• What type of corrugated? E-Flute, C-Flute, B-Flute???

Information To Help Save $$$$

• Is This A One-time, Single Shipment, Or An On-going Project?

• Will All Kits Package The Same, With The Exact Same Components?

• Who Will Provide The Required Shipping Documents?

(BOL’s Packing Lists, etc.)

• Is Proof Of Delivery Required?

• Is There Any Special Security/Handling Required?

Costs You May Need To Plan For

• Receiving costs on incoming components.

• Storage Fees

• Pick & Ship Fees

• Program Set-up Fees

There are many vendors to choose from; however, there are few that have been in business for 40 years and even fewer who have successfully grown with their customers. In an ever-changing world of better, stronger and faster, Yaquinto Printing Company prides itself in a printing heritage, rich with history. They have taken their past and propelled the company into modern times, providing the knowledge and skill to meet their customer’s diverse needs. They also believe strongly in education and the sharing of knowledge. If you have any questions about anything you have read here – or just need more information, you may contact Yaquinto Printing at (214) 330-7761 or visit their website at www.yaquinto.com

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