Pre-Press & Print Preparation

Getting a file press-ready for publication is its own discipline as a great scan is the starting point, not the finish line.

Photo book production places specific demands on image files that are easy to get wrong and difficult to fix once a project is in production. Color spaces, resolution, ICC profiles, and soft proofing requirements vary by printer and publisher and the consequences of mismatched files range from costly reprints to colors that bear no resemblance to the original.

We prepare image files for press by working to the specifications of your chosen printer or publisher, or helping you evaluate your options if that decision hasn’t been made yet.

What’s Included

Color conversion:       RGB to CMYK to printer or publisher specification
Profile assignment:     ICC profile matching to output device or press standard
Resolution checks:      Confirm files meet minimum dpi requirements for size
Soft proofing:          On-screen simulation of press output before files are submitted
Printer coordination:   Direct communication with your printer or publisher on file specs

Who Is This For?

Analog photographers working toward a photo book who have scans in hand but haven’t navigated the print production process before.
Photographers who have been through production and want a reliable technical partner for file preparation.
Anyone whose publisher or printer has returned files with correction requests.

How It Works

Pre-press work is scoped per project. Start by sending us your printer or publisher’s technical specifications (if you have them). If you don’t, we can help you understand what to ask for. From there we’ll assess your files and provide a clear scope of work before anything begins.

This service pairs naturally with drum scanning. If your project starts with film and ends with a printed book, we can handle the full technical arc from scan to press-ready file.