It is nearly impossible to make a truly standard, yet open (i.e., allowing many and any customers in) design-to-print workflow; but their are standard tools, tips and tactics to make things flow properly. Here was a great post on the PrintPlanet forum asking for preflight, prepress and general workflow help. It reads:

Basic Workflow Standardization
“I am a print shop manager in an in-plant. One of my biggest problems is fonts. Most of the documents I get are from Word or uneducated Publisher users. Some other problems are users creating a two-color jobs in CMYK and black text not being pure black. Currently we handle everything we get on an individual basis, but it is getting completely out of hand. I need to start putting in place some systems to handle some of these problems

Is there a easy way to convert documents to pdf with the correct specifications before I get them? For example is there a pdf print driver that I can put on my web site or push out to everyone on my network that it will create a pdf to my specifications so I do not have to worry about fonts or poor resolution? If so how much does something like that cost?  Read more... (373 words, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

In response to this detailed post, which was well presented, by Rufus Deuchler, worldwide evangelist for Adobe Creative Solutions:

As the preflight inventors, U.S. Patented holders and with more than 14 years of experience, Markzware is in a unique position with vast resources and experience within the print, publishing and graphic markets.

It is our opinion that Adobe InDesign’s CS4 “Live Preflighting” feature, was a necessary inclusion within the InDesign application, mostly for an ‘insurance’ purpose. That is, whenever documents are created within Adobe InDesign CS and have a problem upon output, then Adobe can point to this feature – In other words; could it be this is more for Adobe Indesign’s printing insurance than that of the designers?

Years ago, Markzware developed an in-flight tool, FlightCheck Studio (originally HawkEye) which received rave reviews. However, in our experience we found designers that use InDesign, seldom use preflight. The reason being, performing ‘mechanical checks’ is not in a graphic designer’s or creative’s DNA. They design and create the best work they can to market and sell products, then as quick as the designer is finished with one project – they are off to the next! Designers and creatives, on average do not have time to preflight. (Or it is this type of attitude, “As a professional designer, I don’t make mistakes.”)  Read more... (673 words, estimated 2:42 mins reading time)