Pre-press refers to the process of preparing a digital file for printing. It involves a series of steps and tasks that ensure the final printed product meets the desired quality, consistency and specifications. The pre-press phase occurs after the design and layout of an artwork (execution) have been finalized but before actual printing takes place.

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Key components of the pre-press process include (after agency artwork is approved by the client):

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File Assessment (Preflight): Ensuring that the digital files are correctly formatted, including proper resolution, colour modes (such as CMYK for print), texts and fonts, and appropriate file formats.

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Colour Separation (Reprographics): An artwork at early stage digitally is often created in RGB, and not fit for print. It then needs to be converted for full-colour printing. The original design may need to be separated into the four primary printing colours (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black - CMYK) and direct colours (often referred as Spot colours)

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Quality Control: Reviewing and proof reading the files for any errors, such as typos, image resolution issues, or colour discrepancies.

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Proofing: Creating a proof, which is a representation of the final printed piece, for review and approval. This can be a digital proof and sometimes a physical printout, colour profiled and used for colour matching on press.

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Imposition (also called Step&Repeat): Arranging the final artworks in the correct order and position for printing. This step must include as well several elements necessary for the printer to monitor and register the print run.

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Raster Image Processing (RIP): Converting vector graphics and text into raster images that can be processed by plate making  and printing.

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Plate Making: The printer needs a matrix to carry out the image and ink onto the substrate. Each print process has a very specific plate making process.

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Ink Formulation: As per plate making, ink formulation and matching is specific to each print process.

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PressPass, or BAT (Bon A Tirer): Ensuring that all elements of the design, layout, and colour are as intended before moving forward with the actual printing. Generally a project manager signs off on site the first meters of the run before allowing the full print run to take place. Although the reduction of travel in the industry and the advances in colour management reduced considerably the need for third party BAT, it is still sometimes necessary for a client's representative to be present to sign off on a run.

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Each part of the printed packaging process is critical, from the substrate fabrication to the inks, plate making, reprographics, press set up. All those specialised skills form part of the pre-press world.

The file you are working on right now will be printed at a speed of 300 meters a minute, and in millions of units. In order to keep consistency, it is paramount for each key player of the process to have a deep knowledge of his trade.