Printers
Dealing with printers can be daunting if you are not familiar with the issues. The NHLGC advise the following:
- Get the content word perfect and neatly written or typed out before you go anywhere near a printer’s shop. Last minute changes to the copy will incur additional costs.
- If you have access to a computer with Desktop Publishing (DTP) software and a decent printer it is possible to save time and money by generating the original artwork yourself.
- Get quotes for all work before letting the printers start, make sure you have included all the extra costs such as orientation (generating the original artwork), cutting, scoring and folding.
- If you haven’t used your own DPT system, the printers will typeset your text themselves. Never trust them to do it properly. Always proof read what they produce. If changes are made proof read it again. Check the spelling and check for words and paragraphs duplicated or missed out completely (very common). Mistakes look very stupid in print.
- If you are printing on to paper or card smaller than A4, the printer should ‘double up’ your artwork so that each sheet of A4 going through the press will produce multiple copies of your programme.
- When the printer has finished you should be given a copy of the artwork, keep this safe in case you need to make further copies.
- Any colour other than black and white will be prohibitively expensive. It would have to be printed (rather than photocopied) and every change of ink colour requires the equipment to be cleaned and the paper fed through the presses again.
- Consider using photocopying rather than printing. It is much faster (often while you wait) and usually works out much cheaper unless you produce large quantities.
- Use a decent quality paper or card. This won’t all much to the cost but it will dramatically improve the appearance. Recycled paper is readily available at a reasonable quality and price.
- Produce more than you obviously need. Extra copies will be needed for new members. A few copies may not be printed properly, others may get lost. Excess copies can be used as makeshift posters or wall displays.