The following information provides a generalized outline to guide you through the process of designing and producing a print project with minkstudios. The procedure is fairly standard and encompasses a logical step by step progression from an initial introductory meeting to the completed printed product, hot off the press.

The steps of the design process for printed materials are:

1. First meeting
2. Initial consultation meeting
3. Review mock-ups
4. Review production layouts
5. Review final layouts
6. Print management
7. Delivery

1. First meeting
During an informal, complimentary meeting, we will talk about your business or organization and discuss the design project you have in mind. We will review the methods for achieving your goals and consider a possible budget and timeline. This is your chance to ask questions about creating and producing a printed product, and to learn what minkstudios can do for you.

2. Initial consultation meeting
Careful planning in the early stages of a design project can insure avoidance of costly time-consuming changes later on. Now is the time to clarify your vision and purpose for the intended print project. A worksheet provided by minkstudios will help you determine what would be best choices for your needs. Spending time researching your competitors' print materials, and determining your budget, are examples of two helpful ways to get started in this initial conceptual stage.

You will arrive at this meeting with textual content (rough drafts are fine), graphic materials such as your logo, photographs, or other images intended for use in the design.

Listed below are examples of items to bring to the first consultation meeting:

•All of the textual content, company logos, graphics, letterhead or other graphic materials that would be incorporated.
• All of your existing promotional materials, such as brochures, letterhead, catalogues, etc.
• Any of these items in digital form such as text files, and digitized company logos, artwork, or photographs.

Discuss any other graphics that you would like, either created or purchased, such as photographs selected from a stock photo company.

Once we have determined the services requested, I'll write a contract for you to sign, outlining the details of agreement. This is a safeguard for both you and me: you have legal assurance that I'll complete what I agreed to do, and I have a clear outline of the services we agreed upon. Also at this time, a total cost estimate is presented for approval, with a 35% down payment required before the start of the project.

3. Review mock-ups
You'll be shown 3-4 design concepts. At this time we will discuss the layout, color and type choices, photography and illustration usage, and content. The look and feel of the approved design mock-up should reflect your marketing goals and design preferences. Usually a design or layout is chosen and paper stock and ink color is selected.

4. Review production layouts
I will take the edited and approved content you have provided and create a 1st proof, using computer layout software, incorporating the approved mock-up design. You will be reviewing color inkjet prints that will have a "finished" look. Typographical errors are checked at this time, and further refinements and revisions are made. (Design development may cycle up to 3 times until you are satisfied with refinements) If necessary a final price quote is submitted at this time, with the final 65% balance due when the project is delivered.

5. Review final layouts
The final edits and revisions are incorporated and the files are prepared for the printer. A final color inkjet print is made. It is extremely important to proofread everything again at this stage, not just the corrections marked on the last proof. I make every effort to catch and correct mistakes, but it is now ultimately your responsibility to catch all errors at this final stage. Your signature is the final approval for the projects' content and design.

6. Print management
The printer will submit blueprints, which show the project, including photographs, as it will be printed. These need to be signed for approval quickly. Once the blueprints have been reviewed, the project is ready for printing. Overseeing the printing process is recommended for jobs involving 4-color process printing, precise color match, and other complex printing requests. Print supervision by minkstudios is highly recommended to insure successful final results.

7. Delivery
Hot off the press! A design proof gets out the door first and then your product will get delivered shortly thereafter.

Contact Information
E-mail: minkstudios Telephone: 508-993-0006
Office Hours: 9:00 AM-4:30 PM EST Monday through Friday.
If I am not available by phone, please leave a voice message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

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