Good for printing - final check before print approval
The visual check before printing is called “good to print” (GzD).
The client must make sure one last time that his order is produced as requested. With his signature, he gives the OK for the execution with any corrections therein. This final check is very important because any defects that remain after production can no longer be rectified. If this makes a reprint necessary, it costs time and money.
"Not without my lawyer"
This could be the title of a new Hollywood movie or a reference to a text that is written in technical jargon under the “small print” of a general terms and conditions. Let’s highlight a passage from our General Terms and Conditions:
3.22 Control and test documents
“The client is obliged to check the control and test documents (press proofs, proofs, plots, copies, files and the like) sent to him prior to the final production of the order for errors and to return these, together with the “Good for printing” and any correction instructions, within the agreed period. Staffel Medien AG is not liable for errors overlooked by the client. If, as agreed, the submission of inspection and test documents is waived, the customer shall bear the full risk.”
Admittedly, this sounds rather like “officialese”, but it is a very important basis for a binding cooperation between the customer and the producer.
Not so long ago, the physical version was an essential component and the signed piece of paper was the release for the production of a printed product. This is still practiced today and often reaches the customer with a digital printout on original paper, which gives the recipient the opportunity to check the content and print quality.
In our fast-moving times, digitalization has not stopped here either and around 90 percent of all orders are processed using digital approval.
However, the digital form cannot replace everything and it is difficult to explain different types of design (wrap or zigzag fold, window fold, closed window fold, fold-out for envelopes, etc.) over the phone. In the future, we can create a 3D visualization for this and send it to you by e-mail with the actual content for viewing and approval.
We will be happy to advise you.
But even now and in the future, a “good to print” must be issued by you for production. Without a lawyer, of course …
With this in mind, we look forward to hopefully many releases!
What should be considered during a check before print approval?
- Format
- Images (resolution)
- Texts (spelling)
- Fonts
- Logos
- Colors
- Page sequence
