Rick's Rules of Engagement (for printing):
(We can work with just about anything, but to prevent delays, we recommend the following:)
1) Build the document to actual trim size, with bleed extending .125" outside of the document. Make sure all placed images reach the bleed.
2) Never build in readers or printers spreads, never step out a page like you would for digital printing, build as single pages-never place 2 8.5"x11"s in an 11"x17" page, and never build in a press layout. Printers have programs for imposition, and pre imposing pages in any way only adds work. For perfect bound books with pages that bleed; do not use facing pages.
3) Use CMYK images, if not sure of image quality, ask to have color reviewed (the small investment is worth it!)
4) When submitting a press ready pdf, include bleed using the proper marks offset by .125". Use press ready and embed everything. Ask your printer for presets for pdf.
5) Hardcopy, hardcopy, hardcopy-if it won't print for you, there's a good chance it won't print for the printing company. (100% size is preferred)
6) If you have changed the page size from the original plan discussed with your printer, tell them as soon as you know! Even a small size change of 1/4" can mean that the entire job may need to be re-engineered and re-quoted as it may not fit on the sheet size or machine originally planned for.
7) COLLECT, PACKAGE, or whatever the software you use calls the function. If the process aborts, there is a good chance something has been moved and a link is broken, and you can almost always plan on a missing file or font.
8) Communicate expectations: it's a great idea to copy the estimate for the project, especially when there were versions of the estimate, circle the quantity, list any additional services that aren't part of the quote, write down required completion date and delivery instructions and submit the estimate with the job.
9) Always specify the exact colors to be used for printing. We often get files with 4cp and 3 spot colors, and 2 spot are supposed to convert to cmyk and one needs to print as a spot, but it's our guess which one to print as spot, and oh, by the way, we used pms 187 in the file, but we really want pms 188 on press and the ink has been ordered already!
10) Discuss up front how much time is really needed to produce your project allowing ample time for each step.