Maker Guide 3 of 4
Production
i.Setup
Import the approved PNG without unintended resizing or color conversion. Configure the document, artboard, page, or job to match the actual product and fixture.
During setup:
- Confirm units, final dimensions, orientation, and quantity
- Lock aspect ratio unless a deliberate distortion is required
- Apply mirroring only when the production method requires it
- Position artwork using the approved template and placement reference
- Add a required cut contour or machine file separately
- Save the production job or preset with traceable order information
ii.Settings
Production settings belong to the machine, software, material, and process, not to the PNG format. Use validated settings for the exact combination being produced.
Settings may control:
- Print quality, pass count, screening, or rendering intent
- White ink, underbase, choke, or highlight behavior
- Temperature, pressure, dwell time, and curing
- Speed, power, focus, line interval, or tool depth
- Material profile, platen, fixture, and printable bounds
- Copies, nesting, spacing, and registration marks
Record successful settings so repeat orders can be reproduced consistently.
iii.Workflow
Follow a repeatable workflow that preserves the approved file and creates a traceable production result. Pause when the software changes dimensions, clips artwork, substitutes color handling, or reports unsupported content.
Verify
Match the order, file revision, product, and placement.
Prepare
Ready the machine, material, fixture, and production software.
Proof
Preview or test when the result has not already been validated.
Produce
Run the approved job with recorded settings.
Finish
Complete curing, cleaning, assembly, or other required finishing.
Inspect
Compare the finished goodie with the order and quality standard.
iv.Finishing
Finishing converts the produced image or component into a completed goodie. Requirements vary by process and product and may affect the final color, texture, durability, and appearance.
Finishing may include:
- Curing, cooling, washing, or removing transfer media
- Weeding, trimming, peeling, masking removal, or edge cleanup
- Press marks, residue, lint, dust, and loose material removal
- Assembly, attachment of hardware, or protective coating
- Care-label, instruction, or warning inclusion
- A required rest period before inspection or packaging
v.Quality Control
Quality control should compare the finished product with the approved artwork, order specifications, and the maker's documented acceptance criteria. Screen appearance alone is not the final standard.
Check for:
- Correct product, quantity, variant, and personalization
- Placement, scale, orientation, and visible crop
- Acceptable color and tonal reproduction
- Sharpness, banding, grain, missing detail, halos, and unwanted backgrounds
- Adhesion, cure, transfer, engraving, or surface consistency
- Material damage, stains, residue, tool marks, or finishing defects
- Consistency across every unit in the order