Collection Process[edit]

Ensure final file is set up in the correct color profile
Clean up the file by deleting unused swatches, styles, extraneous elements on the pasteboard such as notes, spacer boxes, etc.
In the Swatches palette, Add Unnamed Colors, then Select All Unused colors and trash them. Assess the remaining swatches for anything that isn’t CMYK process (or the correct color mode).
Use the Separations Preview palette to further check for any spot colors (if not allowed).
Use the Separations Preview palette to ensure that all black and grey text is 100K.
Use the Separations Preview palette to identify any elements over 300% ink saturation.
Check that all bleed elements are formatted correctly.

Check all placed images for resolution and color mode.
Make sure that any images that need to be purchased have been purchased and that the hi-res photo is placed into the layout. Please make sure that the image is filed either in PHOTOS-LOGOS if this image does not require job specific retouching or sizing or the BUILD folder if it does. An example of job specific retouching would be changing the color of a person's shirt, extending a canvas and adding background, adding a fade.
Since the credit-based stock houses allow us to download images at any size for the same price, we always download the largest image available. Often, we do not need to use the image at its full size in the layout. If this is the case, please place the image and then see how big it is used in the layout. Then size the image in photoshop appropriately and save the resized image in the BUILD folder as [image number]-[stock house]-[small description]-sized.
Log expenses for any images purchased on Seeker.

Package file to desktop (This will prevent server issues from interfering with the collection process. Once you have completed collection you will copy the finalized files to the server)
In packaged folder, export a MEG press-ready PDF and IDML file
Take note of any client-specific production requests (i.e. Quest Diagnostics Creative Portal PDF Creation [1])
Review files and naming conventions, upload to Server under job number in "PRODUCTION > Final"
Provide file path to proofer for double-checking
For tradeshow booth exports, crop marks, page info, etc. is not needed

Reviewing Process[edit]

When you are set to review a file, please take note of the following:

Make sure that everything on the page is aligned properly
All unused swatches, styles, extraneous elements on the pasteboard such as notes, spacer boxes etc. have been deleted
Color profile matches what has been speced out by the job and that all swatches and logos follow this profile
Ensure all layered working files are in the BUILD folder and all images have been purchased, are in the correct color profile and are large enough to reproduce well. (In InDesign, print projects should have an effective PPI of 300)
Ensure all images are placed in at a proportional size. Sometimes when scaling the proportions get slightly tweaked
All styles are properly accounted for an that nothing in the layout breaks those styles
Run a spell check, if you haven't done already. Every file must be spell checked before release and any issues resolved with AE or your manager
Once all this is checked, fill out the QA and confirm that the specs are correct on the QA as well and send a timestamp either approving or pointing out that you need to re check.

All gradients are made as placed PSDs unless otherwise specificed or templates do not require this (i.e. ICD-9/10 gradients will stay as is)
All dot clouds are only rotated at 90 degree increments. If you see otherwise please note
All dot clouds fall off the edge of the page in between rows of dots rather than cutting a row of dots in half