Over the past two years, groups of your industry peers have spent countless hours addressing the challenge of creating and transmitting quality artwork.

At their first meeting in October 2001, the Artwork Task Force estimated that only 15% of all artwork sent to suppliers was considered ‘ready’; where the supplier can use it for prepress and printing without the need for modifications that would incur extra charges or cause delays. The Task Force established a goal of 50% readiness by 2005 and presented a three-step action plan.

For information, contact Paul Bellantone today at

972-258-3050 phone

smart@ppa.org email

Step 1

... the development of simple Artwork Readiness Guidelines that could be followed by suppliers and distributors to improve the quality and transmission of artwork files.

Outcome: In January 2002, PPAI introduced the sm@rt Artwork Readiness Guidelines and Guidelines for using E-mail to Deliver Electronic Artwork. Now in its third printing, over 30,000 copies of this brochure have been distributed to the industry, free of charge.

Step 2

... the development of sm@rt Artwork education seminars. The Task Force developed Electronic Artwork—Basic Steps to Improve Productivity, Quality and Cost Control, a comprehensive seminar designed to raise the level of artwork knowledge among distributors and suppliers and support the concept of identifying, creating and transmitting ready artwork.

Outcome: In January 2003 nearly 50 industry professionals (sm@rt Artwork Ambassadors) were trained and certified as presenters of the course. Electronic Artwork – Basic Steps to Improve Productivity, Quality and Cost Control is now a required course for MAS/CAS certification and thousands of industry professionals have participated in the program.