15 Ways to Save Time and Money in Book Production

Previously, Walsh’s department would give the printer a laser proof and an application file, and receive an ink-jet proof in return, often finding that the colors on the printer’s ink-jet proof did not match their expectations. By adjusting the new in-house proofing device to the color standards that its printers use, “We expect it to match their RIP in terms of color output,” Walsh explains.

“We’re [now] controlling color from the desktop … and except in rare situations, where we’re dealing with metallics or something like that, we fully expect, even with PMS colors, to get a pretty good match to where we want to be,” he continues.

Walsh’s department also has eliminated printer proofs in most cases. “We’re not only saving a week in the schedule, we’re saving direct costs, which probably run 50 or 60 cents a page per proof,” he says. “Why do you need to check the PDF to make sure the printer ripped it? That’s [the printer’s] responsibility.”

Harvard has had this system in place for approximately two to three years, and has not experienced a decrease in quality by eliminating this proofing stage. “… The printers generally make fewer mistakes [now]. If they have a proof to send you, they don’t have to be as diligent,” says Walsh. “If you put the onus back on them to do this, they’re going to do it because they can’t afford to make a mistake.

“I say, if in doubt, get proofs, but don’t get proofs as a matter of course,” he continues.

Reach Out to Vendors
Working closely with your printers and other service providers—and tapping them for cost-cutting ideas—is another key to streamlining your processes and trimming costs. Last year, when Scholastic turned to its key suppliers for ideas to reduce costs, it resulted in more than $3 million in savings.