Lately, I've heard complaints from consumers who wonder why print jobs take so darned long to complete. After doing a little digging to find out specifically what their situations were, it became clear that they shared the blame for much of the delay.

Here are 6 basic rules of thumb about the process of working with a printer that can save consumers production time:

1. Be specific with your printer from day one. Tell him or her what you need done, when you absolutely need delivery (be honest, don't make the printer jump through hoops for nothing), and how you plan to deliver the job. What software will you use to create it? Your printer needs to know; it will definitely affect production time and costs.

2. Tell your printer how you're going to use this piece. Once it's printed, does it need binding or other finishing? Drilling? Die-cutting? Does it need to be addressed and mailed? Where is its final destination? Will it be inserted into a mailing package with other material? Printers have connections, capabilities, and lots of resources. Many can handle mailing and fulfillment on-site. Give your printer the whole story early on, so that you don't waste time on the back end of the job. For example, you may be sending your job to a mail house for addressing and mailing, when your printer might be able to address the pieces as they come off the press.

3. Have good job specs handy when requesting price estimates. If you're not sure of the quantity, ask your printer to quote on a few quantities (not a huge laundry list, please!), so that time isn't wasted by your requesting new quantities day after day.

4. Ask for a schedule. . .and stick to it. It needn't be formal, depending on how simple or complex your job is. Work backward from the due date. The schedule should include key dates, like delivery of your file, proofs due from the printer, proofs approved by you, and final delivery date.

5. Turn your proofs around ASAP. This usually means the same day you get proofs from your printer. If you hold up your proofs, the printer may not be able to make your delivery date. (Try and limit the people on your end who have sign-off responsibility, too. The more people who look at a proof, the more likely they'll want to make copy changes.)

6. Keep AA's to a minimum. AA's are Author's Alterations, which are changes you make to a job after it's been sent to a printer. (Expect to pay for AA's, although not every printer will charge you.) Save time by preparing your copy carefully BEFORE you send the job to a printer. Lots of people wait until they see their copy typeset before editing it: inefficient idea! This will seriously eat up your production time and cost you more, as well.