PrintProof – using new technology to solve old problems
“When I went to school I had to travel up hills both ways in the snow”. This quote has been used by many that have come before us to talk about “how hard” the previous generation had it. The new generations have it easy. They have the new tech, the new gadgets and inventions and the world at their fingertips. Dave Merrilees-Kelly tapped into making the new generation even easier for designers and students. From his experience through previous problems, he created a simple checklist app that helps you take the headache of preparing your artwork.
“The last studio I worked at the art-stage was always rushed. A courier would turn up for a particular job and my boss would want 2 or 3 other jobs to go off as well (pre broad band days). So hence mistakes would happen, all for the idea of saving money on couriers. So if we had iPhones in those days I would have been using this app. “
The idea of PrintProof is a reference tool for studios and junior designers that reminds you of all the things you need to check to avoid expensive print errors. The app allows you to create separate projects and cross the completed steps off the checklist.
“I work with students on a design degree hence the idea of the app. Artwork was always my biggest headache when I was in the industry so I wanted to make it easier for students and junior designers. The idea of using it on the iPhone was given to me by a student who’s also a good friend (Kate E-M). I’m sure more apps along these lines can be developed for the creative industries especially where a more methodical, logical approach is required.”
PrintProof App is simple and easy way to keep track of preparing your artwork. It is available on the iTunes store and it’s creator: Dave Merrilees-Kelly can be found on twitter.
Chad Engle is currently slaying pixels @BoomtownROI. He abides in coastal Charleston, SC and enjoys living on an island. You should follow, harass or chat to him on twitter @chadengle and @fuelcreativity .
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For this we need an app? If you prepare your images correctly as you go, and use a professional layout program like InDesign that packages and preflights your files, you should be fine. Having worked in the printing and design industries since the rubylith days [ http://tinyurl.com/2wpg2vp ] I can tell you it HAS gotten much easier to create and transmit files for printing. The biggest issues I see are: non-professionals attempting the work, and professionals who design primarily for the web attempting to jump into the print world with no training for it. The latter is easier to fix than the former.
Kim, I totally agree with you, it’s far easier these days preparing artwork for print. What you have to remember is, how, as a student you felt preparing your first print job, that is primarily who this app is aimed at, the design students or recent graduates on their first foray into the industry.
industry even!
Honestly, price ($2.99) vs functionality … it’s a rip. I was expecting more for such a high priced app. I should be able to at least add my own categories, task items and explanations. I want my money back.
Hi Matt
Sorry you feel that way about it. In the UK it’s £1.19 which I think is a fair price.
The app has always been billed as a ’simple’ check-list app, more of a ‘aide-memoire’ aimed at students, hence the ‘lack’ of functionality. The fact that you want to add extra categories implies that you didn’t need the app in the first place, being ‘further down the road’ experience wise.
I’m not a big corporate developer releasing a free version to hook people into buying a pro version later on down the line. I spent 3 months trying and failing to learn Xcode then eventually employing a programmer to finish the code. PrintProof is nowhere near breaking even. My intention was never to make money out of this venture but an extenuation of my job which is education in a design school.When you buy a product you are not always just paying for the physical aspect but the idea as well.
As you already have the product on your phone you can appreciate I can not give any refund. If you pass on your details, when I release my next app I’ll send you a voucher code. I hope this appeases.
if you’re complaining about a 2.99 app that you can write off on taxes anyway… you need to find a new career PERIOD