April 2004: Keep Information Flowing on Complex Projects

Complex projects require careful planning in order to turn out properly. The flow of information from customer to printer to The Riverside Group – and vice versa – is critical to all aspects of the production cycle, from estimating and scheduling to packing and shipping. To be sure the finished product meets the customer’s expectations, everyone involved in its production must know all critical aspects before ink is laid on paper.

First things first: Take a Step Back It can be tempting for everyone involved in a project to dive right into production details before it becomes “live”. At this critical point, it’s a good idea to take a step back and ask a few simple questions about the project:

What’s the intended life span of the project? Appropriate production details often stem from this key piece of information. For example, a perfect-bound book that will be heavily used for an extended period of time will benefit from PUR adhesive, which offers superior strength and flexibility over standard perfect binding adhesive.

How will the piece be used – and by whom? Information regarding the use of the piece, as well as who will be using it, is critical to determining the best production methods. For example, books that will be held in one hand frequently, such as a teacher’s manual, benefit from the layflat abilities of mechanical binding. The binding style is just one aspect of the project to consider. Everything from the location of index tabs to the type of coating should be considered based on how the piece will be used.

What are the design priorities for the project? While almost every project should include both functionality and eye-catching appearance, it’s best to let us know the priorities and expectations of the customer and end user. When we’re aware of the most critical aspects of a piece, we can make design and production recommendations that are geared toward producing a finished product that meets or exceeds those expectations.

Planning Tip: Let Us Produce a Sample
Once all pertinent information about a project has been communicated, let The Riverside Group produce a pre-production sample to aid in final planning. To be sure we produce the most accurate sample possible, supply us with the exact stock and other materials to be used for the production run. That allows us to conduct accurate quality control checks such as bulk measurements and adhesion testing.

The Riverside Edge
At The Riverside Group, we’re well-positioned to handle all of your post press needs, no matter how complex the project. By committing to us early in the project planning phase, printers, designers and end users can take advantage of our accurate and extensive sample-making capabilities. And, with a complete range of binding (mechanical; PUR adhesive; perfect; Smyth sewing and case), finishing (die cutting, foil stamping, embossing, UV coating and more) and related services (cutting, folding, collating, index tabbing and more) located under one roof, you can rest easy knowing that we can turn your graphic arts ideas into reality quickly and efficiently.