Our 9-step printing process
The details
- Prepare your files. Submit print-ready files using our artwork guidelines. Our VP of Print Production compares them to the specifications on your quote and lets you know about any problems our pre-press team can't fix.
- Review and approve your bound proof. A physical bound proof is made from your artwork, generally about two weeks after we receive print-ready files. See Your physical bound proof.
- Pre-press. Once you approve the proof, your files are translated into a layout that can be engraved onto printing plates.
- Press setup. Images are transferred onto a set of printing plates, the plates transfer ink onto a rubber blanket, and the blanket transfers the images onto paper. Every new project needs four new plates, and the cost and time of setup is what makes offset impractical for small runs.
- Printing begins. Parent sheets (large pre-cut sheets, typically fitting 8 to 16 pages on each side) are fed through the press. How many parent sheets your project uses is one of the major cost factors.
- Monitoring and quality checks. Press operators regularly cross-reference printed sheets with your approved bound proof to confirm alignment and colour accuracy and flag defects early. As with any mechanical process, printing, trimming and binding show minuscule variances from piece to piece (usually under 2mm, the thickness of a nickel), most visible with embossing, debossing, hot foil stamping and spot UV.
- Post-press. Sheets are folded, cut and bound; a protective finish (varnish or lamination, gloss or matte) is applied; components are assembled and packaged.
- Quality control. Our team personally vets, audits and approves both our products and facilities for compliance.
- Shipping. Quotes are based on sea delivery from China. If deadlines are tight we can ship by air or split your shipment (additional fee). Weather, port conditions and random customs inspections mean we can't guarantee an exact delivery date for standard shipments. See Timelines and shipping.
More on mcrlprinting.com: An introduction to offset printing →
Common questions
Is shipping included, and can I get my order faster?
Shipping to your final destination is included in our all-in quote, and sea freight is the most economical option. For tighter deadlines we can ship by air or split your shipment (additional fee applies). For print runs of 300 to 1000 copies we also offer expedited sea shipping (additional fee may apply).
Why does offset printing have a minimum quantity?
Unlike print on demand, offset printing requires custom printing plates to be created for each project. This setup takes time and involves upfront costs, making runs of fewer than 300 copies less economical for both you and the printer. The good news: once your project is set up, those fixed costs are spread across the entire print run. The more copies you print, the lower your cost per book, which can help maximize your budget and improve your profit margins.
Keep exploring
Our print team will talk it through with you, or get an instant quote.
