The Print University header

Print Workflow and Processes: Preparing Data Part 2

Print Workflow and Processes: Preparing Data Part 2

Preparing Data – Part 2 – Episode Summary

In this advanced follow-up to Part 1, The Print University hosts Ryan McAbee and Pat McGrew take viewers deeper into the world of data preparation—essential for executing personalized print and optimizing production workflows. Perfect for onboarding specialists, programmers, and operations leaders working with variable data printing, prepress automation training (Kodak Prinergy, Esko), or printing technician certification online, this course demystifies how data is transformed from messy inputs into clean, actionable output.

The episode centers around the ETL process—Extract, Transform, Load—and explains how data from public or customer-owned sources must be restructured, normalized, and secured before use. Topics include mainframe vs. network data encoding (8-bit vs. 7-bit), double-byte characters for non-Latin languages, and field transformation (e.g., separating first and last names or combining address components).

Testing is highlighted as a critical, multi-stage process—from creative template validation to test dataset runs and anomaly checks. Best practices include creating boundary-condition test files, using staging environments, and engaging customers via approval portals. The course also dives into physical and digital data security, permission handling, and compliance with evolving customer policies.

Ultimately, data doesn’t just fuel variable print—it drives business intelligence, scheduling, quoting, and SEO. Every byte counts.

You Will Learn:

  • How to apply ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) for print workflows

  • Data normalization strategies and field restructuring examples

  • Encoding issues: mainframe vs. PC, Unicode, double-byte characters

  • Data testing: proofing, QA stages, boundary testing, and approval workflows

  • Business impacts: using data in scheduling, quoting, marketing, SEO, and quality control

Who This Course Is For:

Print IT teams, VDP programmers, onboarding specialists, data analysts, and ops managers integrating MIS software training for print production, printing technician certification online, or outsourced training for print production staff

Time to Watch:

Approx. 25 minutes