Preflight Check List Process

Preflight is checking the job that will be submitted to the printer for any problems. This saves time and prevents the job from being held up on the press.

Here is an example of a preflight checklist:

• Package your file
• Make sure there are no missing fonts
• Make sure there are no missing links to any images, photos, or vectors used
• Delete unused color swatches
• Process colors should be CMYK 
• Remove spot colors, or if spot colors are necessary for your job make sure they are applied properly 
• Delete all unused elements
• Make sure all layers are correct
• Create a PDF of what your file should look like  
• Know what kind of files your printer accepts and make sure to submit the correct file type 

A preflight technician's job description is checking the customers files or proofs for errors, discussing with the customer that everything is correct, laying the page out with the material supplied, and running the job. Their salary rages from $39,900 to $60,300 a year.


Sources: http://www.onlinedegrees.org/calculator/salary/prepress-technicians-and-workers
http://inkd.com/earn/prepress