Print production begins on three fronts at once - Copy, Photo and Art. Using the final approved design ("fine comp") as a guideline, the Copywriter.

meets with the client to establish an outline. Once the outline is approved, the Copywriter will execute a first draft, keeping his work within the space limits of the fine comp. Upon review by the Designer and the Client, the text will be returned to the Copywriter for a second draft. Following the second draft, the Designer and Client may require a third, light touchup draft, but further work by the Copywriter is usually postponed until after the Artist has had a chance to place the text into the layout.

While the Copywriter is working, the Photographer, with the Client and the Designer supervising, visits the appropriate locations to capture the scenes that will be required. Occasionally, the Photographer will work in a studio when location work is not practical. Both film and digital photography may be used, according to the needs of the project. Once photography is approved by the Client, the results are scanned or copied into the art design computer where they can be accessed by the Artist.

The Artist, meanwhile, is busy acquiring and creating graphic elements. These may include stock photography, logos, charts, graphs, special typography, and visual design elements such as borders, frames and line art.

Eventually, all of the work converges on the Artist's computer . Here, text, photographs and art elements are combined by the Artist, under the direction of the Designer. As the Artist works, change orders may be submitted back to the Copywriter or Photographer. The need to shorten or lengthen parts of the text, for instance, may require the Copywriter to execute a light touchup that fits a specific length. A photograph may have to be resized or even reshot.

When the Artist and Designer are satisfied with the design, they print a color proof of project and submit it to the Client for comment and approval. The Client may request changes or a revision within the limits set by the production contract. A subsequent proof is again printed and final approval from the Client is requested. By custom, approval of this document passes all responsibility for spelling, grammar, accuracy and content to the Client. Corrections after this point may cause a small cost overage.

Upon final approval of the Client, the artwork file is transmitted to the Printer along with written instructions. The Printer, working with the Designer and the Print Supervisor, executes a color proof of the project. The color proof is a photographic reproduction of the artwork file in full resolution, representing the closest rendition of the file as a final printed work. The proof is sent to the Client for written approval. Again, by custom, approval of this document passes responsibility for the work to the Client. Corrections after this point will cause a large cost overage, since the next phase is to print the many copies of the finished work.

After final approval of the Printer's color proof, the Printer creates color separation films of the final design. These films are copies of the final design in each of the primary colors (usually Cyan, Yellow, Magenta and Black & White). The Print Supervisor may examine the films for technical problems, approving them only if perfect. Once approved, the films are engraved onto printing plates, the plates installed on the printing presses, and the press run is initiated. The Print Supervisor carefully examines sample pressings to assure print quality.

Printing may require special processes such as die-cutting (where special cuttings are made in the paper), embossing, gold leafing, folding, gluing etc. Each of these processes adds a complication to the printing that must be quality checked by the Print Supervisor.

When the printing process is complete, the copies are boxed and shipped, usually in bulk, to the Client.