Working with Production: Best Practices

Include Production at all kick-offs, brain-storming sessions and internal reviews.

Include time for development of specs with Art Director. Note: quantity should be supplied at this time as it can affect specs and Production Counterparts will need them to bid out job.

If ballpark (very rough estimated costing) pricing is required at the Client presentation, please provide schematic with sizes and allow a minimum of three working days for ballpark pricing. More complex projects will need more time.

Include time for white paper dummies and die lines/templates and exploration/samples if promotional items are involved. Paper dummies must be approved by Team before we can request the die line. When die line is received, specs can be completed.

Specs should usually coincide with first legal and regulatory submission. Initial Mechanical (mechanical as it relates to the Desk Top Publishing process or computer Indesign and other computer-based software) round (if necessary) would be completed before first submission.

Production Timeline (Post file Release) must be approved by our vendor or by our Production Client-- This may include the approval of vendor proofs post file release.

Brand Coordinator (BC) to request comps from the Design Studio (DS) (Asset Request Form needed) at Final Mechanical stage (in some cases earlier)—NOTE: In many cases FM (final mechanical) cannot be approved by Production without a comp layout.

Brand Coordinator to request ORIS color proofs from Design Studio, at FM stage when art is final—When filling out ARF Form request GRACOL/G7 or other specs, (SNAP or SWOP for ads) for all print projects that are not ads.

Best Practices for Regular Print Projects:

Route to Production Department: Please make sure to always route to PD as we will review and ensure that what the studio builds/sets up is print ready.

PD will not route directly to the Design Studio unless they are approving a pre-press proof. This is to ensure BC always knows where the project stands and that all comments have been addressed and proper direction for next steps is given.

Prioritize: Does job really need to release today? What is driving schedule? Are we trying to get materials to a meeting or is warehouse out of materials?

Process for Print Ads

AE (Account Executive) /Brand Coordinator to supply print media matrix with all insertions for publications

AE/BC to prioritize file release due dates for print ads

PD to supply Specs based on publication specifications

BC to request ORIS color proofs (ARF needed-Note: Please request SWOP for print ads)

BC to route to DS for ePRESS

DAL (Digital Ad Lab to create ePRESS)

PD to supply MRF (Material Release Form and PO for DAL)

DAL to release ad to Publication

Job Numbers: Please don’t close job numbers when job is released. Close after proofs have been approved, project has been delivered/mailed and invoices have been submitted to Finance (if necessary).

Note: Some agencies call Brand Coordinator a Project Manager. Asset request from can be also termed Digital Asset Management Form or DAM.