• Meet the Department

From PDF to Print: Meet the Production Department! | November 28, 2016

by Orlando DosReis (Abrams)

In brief, what does the Production team do?

We literally get the books printed, bound, and delivered into the warehouse to then go out into the marketplace. We work with design, editorial and managing editorial to get files supplied for text and components, and then we work with the manufacturers to actually get the books and other printed items produced. We organize the specifications and materials being used on a project with vendors; write purchase orders; manage and review proofs, including color correction; manage schedules both internally and externally; and deal with any quality issues that may arise.

What is one thing that people generally get wrong about your department?

External people will often think that we do typesetting and prepress.

What is the most difficult thing about working in Production?

Schedules tend to shift regularly. Because there are a lot of moving factors, both internally and externally, you have to constantly be on top of projects and ready for a worst-case scenario effort to see the project through to completion. You can’t always prepare for what may happen to cause delays. It can be anything from art and manuscript delivery dates that shift unexpectedly, a press or binding line can break down; natural disasters can cause delays both domestically and overseas. You have to have an understanding of what the delay means for the specific project and have stellar communication skills to make sure that all necessary parties are involved in the decision of how to get the project on track as needed.

What is the best thing about working on the Production Team?

Publishing is a real team effort and working in production, you get to work with so many different departments and have a thorough understanding of the complete process of a book from beginning to end.  There is not one step that is any less important than another in the process of getting a book out into the world.  Being in production though, you are a part of the physical product and it is always really cool to see a final bound sample. I still get so excited when I see books I’ve worked on out in the market place or in the hands of a child (or adult) on the subway.