A production handoff should let the prepress and manufacturing teams identify every component, file, language version, finish, and approver without guessing. Start with a component manifest, then match each row to the current dieline and final artwork file.
Build one component manifest
- List every card deck, board, punchboard, booklet, token, insert, box, label, bag, and accessory.
- Record finished size, material, print sides, quantity per set, and quantity per production run.
- Name the matching artwork and dieline files exactly as they appear in the delivery folder.
- Identify language, market, edition, and revision for every variable component.
- List foil, varnish, emboss, cut, crease, white ink, or other production layers separately.
Separate structure from artwork
Use the current production dieline for the exact component. Keep cut, crease, glue, bleed, safe-area, and finishing guides on clearly named non-printing layers. Do not scale a dieline or reuse one from a different supplier without written approval.
Preflight the complete package
- Confirm dimensions, bleed, safe areas, folds, glue zones, and page order.
- Resolve missing fonts and linked images, then check effective image resolution.
- Verify process and spot-color names, overprint, transparency, and finishing plates.
- Remove obsolete drafts, hidden alternatives, comments, and duplicate exports.
- Export the PDF standard and color profile requested for the job.
Adobe recommends resolving missing fonts and low-resolution images, confirming bleed, and using the print provider's requested PDF and color settings. ISO 15930-7 defines PDF/X-4 for complete print-data exchange, but the required export preset still needs to match the agreed production workflow.
Close the approval trail
Deliver one dated master folder with a manifest, final print PDFs, requested source assets, and one named approver. Record proof corrections by component and version. A change is not closed until the replacement file is uploaded, the old file is retired, and the updated proof is approved.