Introduction
Welcome
Using the exercise files

1. Understanding Print Production
What is print production?
Understanding roles and responsibilities

2. The Life Cycle of a Print Job
Communicating with your printer
What does the printer do with my files?
Understanding the importance of contract proofs
Handling corrections and alterations
Attending press checks

3. Types of Printing
Choosing the correct type of printing for your project
The art of letterpress
Understanding the advantages of sheet-fed printing
Using a web press for long runs
Understanding thermography
Considerations for digital printing

4. Ink on Paper
What's a process color?
What's a spot color?
Exploring how ink behaves on paper
Comparing monitor vs. press output

5. The Mechanics of Finishing
Building to the correct size
Folding and trimming
Setting up for die cutting
Embossing

6. Layout Basics
Choosing an application

7. Fonts
Understanding font formats
Using OpenType fonts
Fonts to avoid

8. Graphics
Comparing raster vs. vector images
Understanding color space
Examining image formats

9. Photoshop Basics
Looking at image resolution
Masking basics

10. Illustrator Layout Basics
Understanding Illustrator
Illustrator layout tips
Building a simple three-panel brochure
Using swatches
Working with effects
Cautions about some effects
Importing images
Exploring fonts
Saving for users with older versions
Saving as PDF
Gathering up the pieces

11. InDesign Layout Basics
InDesign layout basics
Building a simple three-panel brochure: method one
Building a simple three-panel brochure: method two
Working with color and gradient swatches
Making gradients and creating a rich black swatch
Exploring fonts in InDesign
Importing graphics
Copying and pasting graphics
Saving for users with older versions
Packaging up a print job
Generating PDFs

12. Finding Problems
Using Overprint Preview in InDesign
Managing swatches in InDesign
Preflighting in InDesign
Using the Links panel in Illustrator
Using blending modes in Illustrator and InDesign

13. Acrobat
Basic forensics in Acrobat
Using Output Preview
Dealing with display artifacts
Using TouchUp tools
Converting colors
Using preflight profiles

14. Wrapping It Up
Submitting the job
Being a good print customer

Conclusion
Next steps