Rastar Gives a Tight Production Schedule Much-Needed
Breathing Room
Executive Summary
The average Huntin’ Fool reader is a unique big-game die hard looking for the most useful information on locating a trophy hunt across multiple areas of the Western United States. This reader wants the most current and accurate information—and is willing to pay for it. Because of the time sensitivity of its content, The Huntin’ Fool adheres to a stringent publication
schedule with a demanding production timeline. When it first came to Rastar over eight years ago, the Utah-based publication had hopes that its local printer could service its strict deadlines.
After nearly 100 issues, Rastar continues to meet the publications’ needs with offset print and digital production process solutions.
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Situation
Rastar client, The Huntin’ Fool magazine, had experienced healthy growth in its readership over recent years. This highly-specialized publication offers avid big game hunters a printed resource for out-of-state regulations and hunting stories across a dozen-plus western states and Alaska.
The Huntin’ Fool continues to garner a loyal readership largely because of its ability to publish
regulation updates quickly—often even before states publish their own regulations. In order to provide this level of expediency, Carter’s was on a strict publication and production schedule that left little time for proofing and print. Creative delivered on Monday was sent to press and shipped by the following Friday. With an increasing circulation, these tight deadlines were beginning to be threatened.
Solution
When circulation increased, the demands on Rastar’s print schedule tightened substantially. Instead of turning the client down or insisting on more production time, Rastar’s team suggested a more optimal solution to the publisher. Leveraging Insite, a prepress portal system, the editor was able to incrementally upload proofs in advance, giving some additional time to the strict print deadline and adding two full days to the production process.
With greater latitude to manage proofs and the luxury of two additional days for production, The Huntin’ Fool’s publishing schedule was left uninterrupted. Additionally, the ease of a Web-based production process enabled the client to also the save time and effort of having to make a weekly eight-hour drive to hand-deliver its proofs to the printer.
Results
By bridging the gap in production time, Rastar now offers its client a quicker turn-around time, enabling the growth in circulation without suffering in its delivery. Readers continue to get their regulation information even before the
states are able to print and mail changes. Additionally, both the publisher and printer enjoy more breathing room in the schedule and are able to better utilize production time.
