Pre-Press and Production…

Pre-press technical support

This is where Pensord people can make a significant difference to the success of a title. Pre-press excellence is born out of the strength of the partnership between the printer and the customer. By working closely with you at every stage and offering reassuring technical support whenever it's needed, Pensord's Pre-press People can help to bring enhanced money saving efficiency to your business.

Our dedicated team have the latest pre-press technology at their disposal:

• Our fully integrated Agfa Apogee Portal system makes the remote supply and approval of pre-press files a breeze. Almost all of our titles – apart from a very few exceptions - are now progressed this way
• Fast data communication is guaranteed, via a 2Mbps connection
• Advanced Agfa ApogeeX PDF workflow delivers pre-press efficiency and accuracy from approval of RIPed files through to our fully automated computer to plate output systems
• The technology advancements at Pensord mean that pre-press is never closed for business.

Constantly evaluating the technology out there

Our customers can be assured of two things when it comes to our Pre-Press service. Firstly, that we have invested in advanced software and hardware chosen to do a specific job, and do it well. As leading UK magazine printers all our kit is painstakingly evaluated to ensure it delivers our publishing customers pre-press perfection. Secondly, we are your eyes and ears. We are constantly assessing new processes and technologies and are determined to embrace all the latest developments that bring tangible benefits to your title. Rest assured, we’re on it. With Pensord, we promise you will never miss opportunities to make Pre-Press even more cost effective.

Pre-Press top tips

What kind of printer wants you to spend less on print? An enlightened one! We are here to help you make your printing more cost effective overall by cutting out all those time-wasting, costly pre-press problems. We hope you’ll find the following tips extremely useful.

Apogee Portal supply

Increasingly Apogee Portal is becoming the supply and approval tool of choice for printers and publishers alike. By using Apogee Portal you are able to upload page files using an internet browser, view post Ripped page files within minutes and securely approve or replace each individual page. And this can all be done from anywhere at anytime. For more information on Apogee Portal and how it can help your business see the Apogee Portal page in this section

Other benefits of Apogee Portal include:

• No need for hard copy proof supply from either party
• File naming protocols are taken care of by Apogee Portal automatically
• All files are ‘flight-checked’ for suitability for the print process and any potential problems are flagged immediately, i.e. low res images or missing fonts.
• Speak to your Business Development Manager or your dedicated Title Manager about moving to Apogee Portal now.

Non Apogee Portal supply (FTP, e-mail, ISDN or disc)

• For smooth transition from file to print ensure your files are named containing the publication and page number. For more information on file naming conventions, please refer to our FTP guide.
• If you supply PDFs you should maintain the best turnaround possible by supplying up to date hard copy with your files and not requesting new proofs back. We will highlight any discrepancy between hard copy supplied and final image. You’ll only be approving what you’ve already seen!
• 100ppi images or less are more and more common as images are taken from the web. If you are including these images please let us know when supplying the job so that we do not have to go through the process of placing the job on hold to obtain authorisation to run with low-resolution images.

All supply methods

• Never include images that are more than 300ppi – any more is a waste of storage and file transmission, and adds nothing to the quality of the final image.
• Always add 3mm of image outside the trim area for images that run up to the edge of your finished product. This is called bleed.
• Get your printer to check the advertising specs you send to your advertisers. Many we see are very out-dated and are compromising the quality of received material.
• Where possible, try to obtain a colour copy from your advertiser.
• Avoid placing text and important imagery within 10mm of the trim of a page
• Please alert your Title manager about any double page spreads (DPS), especially from cover to text. They will then ensure best colour matching from page to page

REMEMBER: We’re here to help you save time, save hassle and save money. So if you have any concerns about your file, then please do send it over for a trial, prior to production, or ring and ask for advice.

As they say, advice costs nothing – press time is expensive.