It can be overwhelming, so here are the top ten tips from someone who does it almost every day.

The first thing is to take a deep breath and don’t panic. You’ll be fine!

1. Bend over the corner or mark the sheet so that you’ll know which sheet you saw first. Is all the content there: all the words and images? And is it the final version that was signed off?

2. The minder is your friend. Don’t be fobbed off to review sheets in a customer room – it’s important to communicate directly with the minder: to watch and learn – don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask if the sheet is up to standard weight (the density of the ink film weight, read by measuring the colour bar at the edge of the sheet) and what those weights are. Wait for the next ‘pull’ and compare the two. Many printers use spectrophotometers to measure colour. The minder will explain if you ask.

3. If you’re using special colours as well as CMYK, check they are correct. What are you matching them to – an up-to-date pantone book, or a draw-down supplied by the ink manufacturer on the correct stock?

4. Trust your own instinct and eyes – how does it compare to the proof (and scatter proof it you did one)? Does it look balanced? If it doesn’t match well, ask the minder to explain why.

5. Use a ‘linen tester’ (a small magnifying glass on a stand) to check that the process work is ‘in register’ (sometimes called fit). The small dots that combine to make colours or pictures should align at the edges.

6. The imposition (how pages are laid out on a sheet for binding) will probably mean that some pages are upside down. Turn and fold the sheet around for closer inspection if needed.

7. When passing a sheet that’s part of a multi-page book or magazine, remember that decisions made now will broadly dictate the ink weights for the rest of the job.

8. Check that images and flat tints on different pages that run-across the spine, match up. If you’ve already passed a sheet with half the image, fold it in half and butt up to the sheet you’re passing for comparison. Remember that wet and dry ink will look slightly different. This is where the readings we mentioned earlier come into play.

9. When you’re about ready to sign the sheet off, take a step back and take a few moments to be sure.

10. Then sign away – your next press pass will be easier, and very soon, you’ll be relaxed and confident with press passing.