Prepress problems: causes and fixes
10 Prepress problems in offset printing and finishing: symptoms, probable causes, step-by-step fixes and prevention.
Prepress · TPG-001
Printed colors don't match the screen
Client complains the print doesn't match what was approved on screen
Prepress · TPG-005
Badly flattened transparencies
White boxes, missing elements or shifted colors in print
Prepress · TPG-009
Barcode that won't scan
The reader can't read the printed code
Prepress · TPG-010
Imposition with wrong grain direction
Cracking on folds and spines; books that won't open properly
Prepress · TPG-002
Black text built in 4 colors
Small text looks blurry or shows color halos
Prepress · TPG-003
Missing bleed
White slivers along the edges after trimming
Prepress · TPG-004
Excessive total ink coverage (TAC)
Dark areas that won't dry, set-off in the pile
Prepress · TPG-006
Fonts not embedded
Substituted text or reflow at the RIP
Prepress · TPG-007
Low-resolution images
Pixelated or blurry photos in print
Prepress · TPG-008
Poorly defined spot colors (Pantone)
They print in CMYK or generate unexpected extra plates