{"id":7729,"date":"2025-04-07T08:47:19","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T13:47:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/?p=7729"},"modified":"2025-07-03T13:56:37","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T18:56:37","slug":"prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about","title":{"rendered":"Prepress Services: 5 Things We Do (That You Don\u2019t Know About)"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--the_content--><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-6\"> <p>When you\u2019re online printing with Smartpress, our complimentary prepress services (and the humans behind them) ensure your design files are perfectly print-ready every time. Our prepress team performs some behind-the-scenes magic you don\u2019t even know about. Take a peek behind the curtain to find out:<\/p> <ul> <li>What is prepress?<\/li> <li>FIVE things they do for you<\/li> <li>Tips for a smooth prepress process<\/li> <\/ul> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/shop\/all\">Before you create a file, you need a product &#8211; explore them all<\/a>.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <\/span><\/p> <h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2> <ul> <li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a href=\"#what-is-prepress\">Prepress services blend automation and human expertise, with every print file<\/a> going through automated checks and hands-on review by technicians to ensure accuracy and design integrity before printing.<\/span><\/li> <li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">We offer <a href=\"##-2-post-office-liason-for-direct-mail\">specialized support for direct mail logistics and manually prepare files for custom features<\/a> like white ink and foil.<\/span><\/li> <li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">For the <a href=\"#tips-for-a-smooth-prepress-process\">smoothest prepress process<\/a>, be sure to upload design files in the proper PDF format and make sure they&#8217;ve been exported correctly.<\/span><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <!--block: 50-50-image --><div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-10\"><div class=\"row center-xs\"><\/span><\/p> <p><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-top-sm blockOffset-left-sm\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2025-03-A-Day-In-The-Life-0096.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=1f23155474b1e99f5d21cb1d5551ea18\" alt=\"A woman sitting at a desk with a man standing over her shoulder and pointing at a desktop monitor.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/div> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-bottom-md raisedRight\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2025-03-A-Day-In-The-Life-0072.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=1fd5c138a46a9d16f77fb1ade0dfae63\" alt=\"A prepress services employee sitting at a computer desk and wearing a Smartpress sweatshirt.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/div><\/p> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <h2 id=\"what-is-prepress\">What is Prepress?<\/h2> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p>In printing terms, prepress refers to the process of preparing your design file (aka <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/file-preparation\/print-ready-files\">print-ready file<\/a>) to be printed. In Smartpress terms, it also means a whole bunch of humans and technology are involved.<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p>With a range of seriously complex talents and super specific specialities, our technical wizards are interpreters, taking your work and translating it into a design file with everything you intended. They ensure your file is technically correct while retaining your design vision. More complicated than you thought, huh?<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2025-03-A-Day-In-The-Life-0057.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=e7248bbf913903c754964390b2f3199c\" alt=\"A man sitting at a desk and working on a computer doing prepress services on a design file.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <!--graybar--><div class=\"ltGrayBkgd-md\"><\/div><!--\/graybar--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <h2>#1 Pre-Flight Automation on Your File<\/h2> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p>When you print online with Smartpress, part of the ordering process includes choosing the type of proof you want for your project. Once you do, Team Prepress jumps into action with pre-flight automation. This exceptional file check process occurs on every print job, no matter the complexity. Here\u2019s what our team does:<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <!--block: 50-50 --><div class=\"row center-xs\" ><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"><div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--><\/span><\/p> <h3>When You Select \u201cNo Proof Needed\u201d<\/h3> <p>Even if you don\u2019t need a proof, your file still gets the preflight automation treatment. Preflight checks things like:<\/p> <ul> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/printing-basics\/image-resolution\">Image resolution<\/a>: It should be high.<\/li> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/printing-basics\/bleed-borders\">Bleed<\/a>: Most print projects need it.<\/li> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/easy-to-read-fonts\">Fonts<\/a>: Are they the right size? Clear enough?<\/li> <li>Corruption: Can <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/file-preparation\">your file<\/a> be opened and viewed properly?<\/li> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/color-ink\/color-space\">Spot colors<\/a>: They should be specifically named.<\/li> <\/ul> <p>If the automation finds no issue with your file, it automatically goes right to press &#8211; yay! But if it does flag something, that\u2019s when our experts either fix it for you or reach out to you to fix it with you.<\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--> <h3>When You Select a \u201cSoft Proof\u201d<\/h3> <p>Most Smartpress clients choose a soft proof PDF when ordering their custom printing projects. When you select this option, your digital PDF goes through the same preflight automation we just mentioned, and you get more interaction with our experts before you give your approval.<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p>If there are issues with your file, a prepress tech will communicate with you via the Activity Log in <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/content\/loginOrRegister\">your Smartpress account<\/a>. This is the place to reply to their questions, ask your own and make any specific requests for things like fold lines or Pantone critical colors.<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p>Once the issues are resolved, a prepress tech will review your file one more time, and then send you a proof to approve or decline (this usually happens within eight business hours &#8211; and usually less than that).<\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-6\"> <h3>After You Approve Your Proof<\/h3> <p>Then comes a little more automation &#8211; and more humans! (Who knew prepress services included so many of them?) Once you approve your proof, the automation does things like:<\/p> <ul> <li>Imposition: Fitting your project on as few sheets as possible to maximize the yield and <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/green-goals-an-inside-look-at-our-environmental-management-system\">produce less waste<\/a>.<\/li> <li>Color management: Interpreting your file to best represent your colors on the actual printed materials.<\/li> <\/ul> <p>Then your project is off to see the <del>wizard<\/del> presses.<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/ordering-shipping\/how-to-use-a-print-proof\">Find out which print proof you need and how to approve it<\/a>.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <!--graybar--><div class=\"ltGrayBkgd-md\"><\/div><!--\/graybar--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <!--block: 50-50-image --><div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-10\"><div class=\"row center-xs\"><\/span><\/p> <p><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-top-sm blockOffset-left-sm\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2025-03-A-Day-In-The-Life-0021.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=8d9451fe6a42a30c4d3c021325bdeaee\" alt=\"A smiling woman wearing a blue Smartpress shirt sitting at her desk with two computer monitors on it.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/div><\/p> <p><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-bottom-md raisedRight\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2025-03-A-Day-In-The-Life-0014.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=9753759259acd05b722a45e1c49fe530\" alt=\"A woman at her desk in an office working on prepress services for a print-ready design file.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/div><\/p> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <!--block: 50-50 --><div class=\"row center-xs\" ><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"><div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--><\/span><\/p> <h2 id=\"#-2-post-office-liason-for-direct-mail\">#2 Post Office Liaison for Direct Mail<\/h2> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p>When you ask, \u201cWhat is prepress printing?\u201d does your answer include <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/direct-mail\">direct mail<\/a>? At Smartpress, it absolutely does. Our direct mail team gets in on all the file-reviewing fun, with a blend of automation and manual operations. If your order includes a <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/direct-mail\/list-processing\">mailing list<\/a>, here\u2019s some of what they do:<\/p> <ul> <li>Ensure your list is in a usable format.<\/li> <li>Ensure your mailing timeline is feasible.<\/li> <li>Verify or change addresses so they meet USPS requirements.<\/li> <li>Run <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/direct-mail\/mailing-lists-ncoa-paf\">NCOA<\/a> to update addresses for any recipients who\u2019ve moved.<\/li> <li>Work with the post office to get you the best delivery time and postage rates.<\/li> <\/ul> <p>When they\u2019re finished, the direct mail team will send you a finalized mailing list with your soft proof.<\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--> <h2>#3 Manual Setup for Specialty Options<\/h2> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p>Our prepress production process includes specialty options, too &#8211; and this time, it\u2019s all manual. If your order includes <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/color-ink\/white-ink-printing\">white ink<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/specialty-features\/custom-foil-printing\">foil printing<\/a>, our techs:<\/p> <ul> <li>Manually set up your design file so the white ink or foil is visible. To help you understand where the white ink or foil is in your design, they represent it with specific colors. (You can\u2019t see white ink on a white PDF, ya know?)<\/li> <li>Communicate with you via the Activity Log so you know what those colors mean.<\/li> <li>Let you know if there are issues with design elements or if there\u2019s something they don\u2019t recommend (they are experts, after all).<\/li> <\/ul> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--><!--block-empty--> <!--graybar--><div class=\"ltGrayBkgd-md\"><\/div><!--\/graybar--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2025-03-A-Day-In-The-Life-0029.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=7d317f09aaabd60fd3538c6041be3757\" alt=\"A man wearing a Smartpress stocking cap working at his desk with three monitors.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <!--block: 50-50 --><div class=\"row center-xs\" ><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"><div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--><\/span><\/p> <h2>#4 Post-Flight Automation on Your File<\/h2> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p>Our digital prepress services include post-flight automation that ensures your file reaches production perfectly. It double checks that your file has everything needed to be print-ready (it\u2019s a PDF with high resolution images in the CMYK color space with the appropriate bleed) and a few other things, like:<\/p> <ul> <li>If your project includes drill holes, are any missing?<\/li> <li>Does your file include the correct page count? Does it match the order that was placed?<\/li> <li>Is your file the correct size?<\/li> <\/ul> <p>It\u2019s one last check that tells our production team, \u201cYep, this thing\u2019s ready to print!\u201d<\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--> <h2>#5 Design Help From <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/offering\/layout-services\">Layout Services<\/a><\/h2> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p>If you need help creating a design for your project or simply fixing bigger issues on your file, our Layout Services has you covered (for an additional fee). Part of our prepress printing team, these design experts can do things like:<\/p> <ul> <li>Create complex dielines.<\/li> <li>Rework font alignment and make copy updates.<\/li> <li>Resize and even rebuild your file.<\/li> <\/ul> <p>Sound like something you need? When you add your print product to your cart, just add Layout Services to it, as well. Our experts will reach out to you with time and fee estimates before beginning any work (and you\u2019ll approve it all first).<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/why-were-different-see-smartpress-brilliant-print-process\">Prepress isn\u2019t the only part of the Smartpress puzzle &#8211; see the whole shebang from start to finish<\/a>.<\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--><!--block-empty--> <!--graybar--><div class=\"ltGrayBkgd-md\"><\/div><!--\/graybar--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/blogprodproxy.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Smartpress-Paper-Jam_Prepress-Team-Photo.gif\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <h2 id=\"tips-for-a-smooth-prepress-process\">Tips for a Smooth Prepress Process<\/h2> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p>For the best, quickest, problem-free-est prepress experience, our experts have two recommendations that make their (and your) printing lives easier. And they happen to be about the same thing: your design file.<\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p>First, upload your files in <strong>PDF form<\/strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4QTaW-IjKfc\">see how easy it is here<\/a>). When your file is set up properly, the process is more efficient and any mistakes are more likely to get caught. Second, be sure to properly export your PDF, too.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <h2>Print Experts from Start to Finish<\/h2> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row end-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p>When you print marketing assets and branded collateral with Smartpress, you get a premium blend of digital operations and a human touch &#8211; just the way we like it. And no matter what you\u2019re printing for your business or organization, whether it\u2019s simple or complex, our prepress services ensure it\u2019s perfect every time.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--><!--\/the_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When you\u2019re online printing with Smartpress, our complimentary prepress services (and the humans behind them) ensure your design files are perfectly print-ready every time. Our prepress team performs some behind-the-scenes magic you don\u2019t even know about","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":7740,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sfsi_plus_gutenberg_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_show_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_type":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_alignemt":"","sfsi_plus_gutenburg_max_per_row":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7729","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Prepress Services: 5 Things We Do (That You Don\u2019t Know About)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Smartpress&#039; complimentary prepress services ensure your design files are perfectly print-ready every time. Take a peek behind the curtain.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Prepress Services: 5 Things We Do (That You Don\u2019t Know About)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Smartpress&#039; complimentary prepress services ensure your design files are perfectly print-ready every time. Take a peek behind the curtain.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Smartpress Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/smartpressprinting\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-04-07T13:47:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-03T18:56:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blogprodproxy.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HERO-2025-03-A-Day-In-The-Life-0088.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Amy Breitag\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@smartpress\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@smartpress\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Amy Breitag\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Amy Breitag\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/898d5ab04badf18cc90b84611079ff01\"},\"headline\":\"Prepress Services: 5 Things We Do (That You Don\u2019t Know About)\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-07T13:47:19+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-03T18:56:37+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about\"},\"wordCount\":1420,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/HERO-2025-03-A-Day-In-The-Life-0088.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=c2450e4fc6685e98f6cc5ada6a991c85\",\"articleSection\":[\"Features\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about\",\"name\":\"Prepress Services: 5 Things We Do (That You Don\u2019t Know About)\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/HERO-2025-03-A-Day-In-The-Life-0088.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=c2450e4fc6685e98f6cc5ada6a991c85\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-07T13:47:19+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-03T18:56:37+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/898d5ab04badf18cc90b84611079ff01\"},\"description\":\"Smartpress' complimentary prepress services ensure your design files are perfectly print-ready every time. Take a peek behind the curtain.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/HERO-2025-03-A-Day-In-The-Life-0088.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=c2450e4fc6685e98f6cc5ada6a991c85\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/HERO-2025-03-A-Day-In-The-Life-0088.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=c2450e4fc6685e98f6cc5ada6a991c85\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"A prepress services employee sitting at her desk with three monitors and flipping through a custom booklet.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/features\\\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Prepress Services: 5 Things We Do (That You Don\u2019t Know About)\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Smartpress Blog\",\"description\":\"Create Brilliant Print\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/898d5ab04badf18cc90b84611079ff01\",\"name\":\"Amy Breitag\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/aee30b217d69b006dbe66db63a41f3117a22ec0d3b8f5381748641524c10dc6e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/aee30b217d69b006dbe66db63a41f3117a22ec0d3b8f5381748641524c10dc6e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/aee30b217d69b006dbe66db63a41f3117a22ec0d3b8f5381748641524c10dc6e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Amy Breitag\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smartpress.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/atag\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Prepress Services: 5 Things We Do (That You Don\u2019t Know About)","description":"Smartpress' complimentary prepress services ensure your design files are perfectly print-ready every time. Take a peek behind the curtain.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Prepress Services: 5 Things We Do (That You Don\u2019t Know About)","og_description":"Smartpress' complimentary prepress services ensure your design files are perfectly print-ready every time. Take a peek behind the curtain.","og_url":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about","og_site_name":"Smartpress Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/smartpressprinting\/","article_published_time":"2025-04-07T13:47:19+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-07-03T18:56:37+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/blogprodproxy.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HERO-2025-03-A-Day-In-The-Life-0088.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Amy Breitag","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@smartpress","twitter_site":"@smartpress","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Amy Breitag","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about"},"author":{"name":"Amy Breitag","@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/898d5ab04badf18cc90b84611079ff01"},"headline":"Prepress Services: 5 Things We Do (That You Don\u2019t Know About)","datePublished":"2025-04-07T13:47:19+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-03T18:56:37+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about"},"wordCount":1420,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HERO-2025-03-A-Day-In-The-Life-0088.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=c2450e4fc6685e98f6cc5ada6a991c85","articleSection":["Features"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about","url":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about","name":"Prepress Services: 5 Things We Do (That You Don\u2019t Know About)","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HERO-2025-03-A-Day-In-The-Life-0088.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=c2450e4fc6685e98f6cc5ada6a991c85","datePublished":"2025-04-07T13:47:19+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-03T18:56:37+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/898d5ab04badf18cc90b84611079ff01"},"description":"Smartpress' complimentary prepress services ensure your design files are perfectly print-ready every time. Take a peek behind the curtain.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HERO-2025-03-A-Day-In-The-Life-0088.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=c2450e4fc6685e98f6cc5ada6a991c85","contentUrl":"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HERO-2025-03-A-Day-In-The-Life-0088.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&s=c2450e4fc6685e98f6cc5ada6a991c85","width":1920,"height":1080,"caption":"A prepress services employee sitting at her desk with three monitors and flipping through a custom booklet."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/features\/prepress-services-5-incredible-things-we-do-that-you-dont-know-about#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Prepress Services: 5 Things We Do (That You Don\u2019t Know About)"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/","name":"Smartpress Blog","description":"Create Brilliant Print","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/898d5ab04badf18cc90b84611079ff01","name":"Amy Breitag","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/aee30b217d69b006dbe66db63a41f3117a22ec0d3b8f5381748641524c10dc6e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/aee30b217d69b006dbe66db63a41f3117a22ec0d3b8f5381748641524c10dc6e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/aee30b217d69b006dbe66db63a41f3117a22ec0d3b8f5381748641524c10dc6e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Amy Breitag"},"url":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/author\/atag"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7729"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7729\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7729"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}