Printer's Tip

Upgrading Software

You probably put a lot of thought and research into any software upgrades. You must decide if the expense and learning curve is worth the functionality and features offered with the new program. Once you've made a decision to switch, it's a good idea to consult with your printer before your office upgrades computer applications such as page-layout applications or operating systems.

Changing to a different application when you upgrade could affect the steps taken to prepare files for print and how your files are processed. Make sure your printer is aware of the switch or upgrade and find out if printer- and program-specific instructions are available to make the change easier on your production staff. See if your printer will allow you to send through test files in order to avoid any surprises when the time comes to submit live work.

The Electronic Prepress Support Team at Publishers Press tests new applications and versions in-house. From these tests, we are able to learn how the upgrade will work with our printing processes and whether the new versions are compatible with prepress and proprietary software.

Contact your printer to learn about any such testing that may have been done and to determine they can help you anticipate and resolve potential issues when it comes to preparing your files for print.