The purpose of file prepping is to optimize results by making the Master and Sample files as similar as possible
This guide will walk you through the following two scenarios:
-
If you want to compare your digital Master file with another digital file, refer to Scenario 1: Digital to Digital inspection.
-
If you want to compare your digital Master file with a scanned physical sample, refer to Scenario 2: Digital to Scanned physical sample inspection.
Ready to apply the file prep steps? You can practice with the Graphics Inspection Exercise below!
Scenario 1: Digital to Digital Inspection
Step 1: Load your digital files
Step 2: Turn Off Layers and Separations
Step 3: Select Areas to Inspect
Step 4: Troubleshoot the ‘Files Do Not Match’ error message
Scenario 2: Digital to Scanned Physical Sample Inspection
-
Prerequisite #1: Perform regular scanner calibration
-
Prerequisite #2: Follow Artwork creation best practices
Step 1: Scan your physical samples
Step 2: Load your digital files
Step 3: Turn Off Layers and Separations
Step 4: Select Areas to Inspect
Step 5: Troubleshoot any Errors/Issues
Graphics Inspection Exercise
Once you’ve mastered the above steps, test your Graphics Inspection skills in GVD!
-
Download these Master and Sample files:
01A_GVVT_Master.pdf 07_GVVT_Sample_Repeats_Nested.pdf -
Open GVD, select the Graphics Inspection Module and load the downloaded files
-
Execute the file prep steps:
-
Click the PDF Options button at the top of both the Master or Sample panel
-
Review the Layers and Separations you see. Note that the Sample file does not have any Layers
-
Turn off the Title Box Layer in the Master file, as it is not part of the Sample
-
Turn off the Dieline Layer in the Master file
-
Go to Region Mode > Crop, use the handles to adjust the size of the selection.
-
Select Crop to Content to automatically change cropping isolated to the artwork
-
Click Inspect
-
Review the differences detected. Review printing errors detected in the letter 'G' in some repetitions.