Direct Mail:

• Does form Bleed?
  
• Do we have lock-up?
• If cut sheet, discuss the grain direction.
  
• Does final produce meet postal requirements?
  
• Does the address vehicle of the piece fit the window envelope properly?
  
• Check the weight of the mail piece.
• Is the permit for mailing all set?
  
• If laser imaged, make sure proper stock and ink is specified.
  
• Make sure all perforations lay flat & release properly.
  
• Fold product to final size to make sure the piece will insert & mail properly.

Integrated Product:

• Test stock through imaging equipment prior to the production run.
  
• If the image on the integrated products bleed, make sure the graphic is 1/16" -larger than the die cut area.
  
• Ask if the front or back of the integrated product will be written on.

Affixing Services:

• Affixing labels, make sure you test stock through imaging equipment.
  
• All adhesives must be laser compatible.
  
• Affixing cards or magnets; test stock through imaging equipment.
  
• Make sure inks and materials are laser compatible.
  
• Determine which side of product you want to image on.
  
• Tick marks should appear on the carrier as a visual aid for the operation
  
• Make sure the product being affixed is formatted on the roll so that when the product releases off the roll the product will appear the right way.

Labels:

• Ask if machine applied or hand applied.
  
• Determine core size and maximum outer diameter of the roll.
  
• All proofs should be made by label supplier because of the flexographic process.
  
• Determine if label should be die cut or butt cut.
  
• Ask if imaged through hot laser printer.
  

Cards:

• All proofs should be made by card supplier because of the flexographic process.
  
• Make sure stock used for card is compatible with imaging equipment.
  
• If you need full bleed, have art 1/16" larger than exact card area.
  
• Don't put UV coat in laser image area.
  
• If a signature is required on the back of the card, please tell sales rep.
  
• Tick marks should appear on the carrier as a visual aid to the operator.

Cut Sheets:

• Make sure you have lock-up.
  
• Check out grain direction.
  
• Check out perf position; type of perf.
  
• Make sure stock and perf lay flat.
  
• Use the proper inks.
  
• If poly-wrapped, make sure package is not too tight.
  
• Make sure the thickness of the stock is not to thin or too thick.
  
• Make sure the finish of the stock will accept the image you want to put on the stock.

Continuous Forms:

• Make sure you have lock-up.
• On roll products make sure you ask:
• Maximum roll size; Minimum roll size
  
• Core size
  
• How printed image comes off roll.
  
• Marginal perfs; yes/no
  
• Cut off perf; yes/no
  
• How packaged on skids?
  
• Make sure no printing in left stub area.
  
• If 2 wide, make sure graphics will work when processed to singles.
  
• If multi-part, make sure printer can handle number of plies.
  
• If multi-part, how you want the form fastened.
  I.e.: crimp only, crimp both sides & glue left side, glue left & crimp right, Tape lock.

Unit Sets:

• Make sure you have lock-up.
  
• Identify stub position
  
• Make sure the image will transfer through all plies

Envelopes:

• Ask if image bleeds, over the edge
• Standard or custom window
  
• Identify side seam or diagonal seam?

Pre-press:

• Identify the software used.
  
• Identify the fonts.
  
• A color laser or just a laser is very helpful with the files.
  
• Be careful using CMYK for PMS flat color jobs.
  
• Don't use CMYK or trapping for fine type.
  
• Don't knock out fine type in the background color, It is better to overprint.
  
• Check if lock-up on gripper is required.
  
• If product is printed many up on the sheet, ask the printer if they want film & proof supplied to printer specifications.
  
• Nail down line screen.
  
• If job bleeds and is 2 wide, ask for area so you can gutter trim final product.