Course · Layout & Pre-press
Print-ready artwork, right first time
0.1 / What it's about
Good design requires clean data.
Layout & Prepress shows how a design is turned into a file that printers or screens can process without any queries: from format, grids, colour and images through to preflight, export and handover.
As a consistent example throughout the course, we will be using the annual programme of the Kulturhaus Birs: a 48-page A5 booklet, along with posters and social media graphics.
Key questions of the course:
QUESTION 1
How do I set up a document properly?
QUESTION 2
How do I ensure colours and images turn out in print the way I planned?
QUESTION 3
How do you turn a layout into a print-ready PDF?
QUESTION 4
How do I cleanly transfer the same design onto screens?
Course framework:
TARGET AUDIENCE
Creators
Apprentices in graphic design, media, and print production professions, as well as anyone who creates print-ready artwork.
SCOPE
8 × 90 mins
Plus final project; each module can also be used individually.
Format
Hands-on
Brief input, tools, and practice on your own project.
REFERENCE
Cross-references
Connections to editorial design, materials science, and pipeline & workflow.
0.2 / Learning Objectives
After the course, you hand in data without any further queries.
After the course, you will be able to:
0.3 / Course content
All modules and sections at a glance.
Eight modules, each with a core question and a tool. Click on a module or directly on a section.
MODULE 01
Which format does the printed material need?
MODULE 02
How do you organise the page?
MODULE 03
Why does colour look different when printed?
MODULE 04
When does an image appear sharp in print?
MODULE 05
Where is it cut, folded and bound?
MODULE 06
How does the layout become a print-ready PDF?
MODULE 07
How does design get cleanly onto screens?
MODULE 08
How do data reach their destination securely?
0.4 / Procedure per module
Each module follows the same structure.
The rhythm stays the same, the content changes:
01
Introduction (10 mins)
A question or issue from everyday project life.
02
Input (20 mins)
Fundamentals and best practices.
03
Tool (15 mins)
Explore the topic in the interactive tool.
04
Exercise (35 mins)
Application to a project of your own.
05
Reflection (10 mins)
What do you adopt into your workflow?
In each section, you will find a bold key takeaway with a lightning bolt icon, an exercise behind the blue button, a read-aloud function, and examples behind the light bulb on many cards.
0.5 / Certificate of achievement
In the end, you have a print-ready production.
Final project: a complete printed piece with digital distribution, individually or in pairs
01
Create
Format, grid, and master pages according to the printer's specifications.
02
Design
Colours, images, and typography executed with technical precision.
03
Prepare
Technical lines, binding and finishing.
04
Export
Preflight, PDF/X-4 and digital formats.
05
Hand over
Proof, approval, and complete handover package.
Evaluation criteria: correct format and bleed, clean grid, accurate colour spaces and resolutions, error-free preflight, complete handover.
0.6 / Literature and Sources
Good data has role models.
• Johansson, K., Lundberg, P. & Ryberg, R. (2003): A Guide to Graphic Print Production
• Ambrose, G. & Harris, P. (2008): The Production Manual
• Müller-Brockmann, J. (1981): Grid Systems in Graphic Design
• Tschichold, J. (1975): Selected Essays on the Form of the Book and Typography
• ECI / Fogra: Standard colour profiles for printing (eci.org)
• W3C: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
• Specifications from the respective print shop regarding colour profile, bleed and PDF standard
Please note: The years indicate the first edition; many titles are available in newer editions and in German.