Preflighting

Preflighting is a specialized skill that involves checking your graphics files to be sure they fall within the specifications of the printing equipment you plan to use. While much preflighting today is automated, printers still have to make time-consuming and expensive corrections more often than they (and their clients) would like. That's why a knowledge of preflighting is a valuable skill for a freelance artist. One of the ways to develop this skill is to work closely with a printer. It's in the printer's best interest to educate a regular client about the limitations of the available equipment, so a good printer may be willing to take the time to teach you how to do this well.