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Print Workflow and Processes: Preflighting 101

Print Workflow and Processes: Preflighting 101

Preflighting 101 – Episode Summary

In this foundational episode of The Print University, Ryan McAbee explains the importance of preflighting in the print production workflow—comparing it to a pilot’s checklist before takeoff. Whether you’re onboarding new hires with a printing press operator training course or equipping teams with prepress automation training (Kodak Prinergy, Esko, etc.), this episode provides a concise yet thorough overview of why preflight checks are mission-critical.

Preflighting is the process of reviewing design files for issues—such as missing fonts, incorrect color spaces (e.g., RGB instead of CMYK), oversized images, or unsupported file elements—before they hit the RIP or digital front end. It helps prevent costly reprints, unexpected errors, and production delays. Ryan also draws a clear distinction between preflighting and optimization: preflighting actively checks and corrects errors based on a ruleset (profile), while optimization simplifies PDF structure to reduce file size and speed up processing.

The episode introduces popular preflighting tools like Callas pdfToolbox, Enfocus PitStop, and Markzware FlightCheck, and optimization tools like Solimar ReadyPDF and Crawford PDF Accelerator. Ryan walks through a live demo using Adobe Acrobat’s built-in preflight tools, showing how to analyze and fix RGB objects, downsample images, and address font issues.

This is essential learning for anyone managing incoming customer files or building automation into prepress processes.

You Will Learn:

  • What preflighting is and why it matters in production

  • Differences between preflighting and PDF optimization

  • Common issues detected: RGB elements, large images, font problems

  • Tools for preflighting and optimization: Callas, Enfocus, Markzware, Solimar

  • How to create audit reports and fix issues before downstream workflows

Who This Course Is For:

Prepress operators, onboarding staff, print technicians, customer service reps, and teams developing printing technician certification online or implementing prepress automation training (Kodak Prinergy, Esko)

Time to Watch:

Approx. 18 minutes