Going to press refers to the final stage of the printing process before a publication or document is produced and distributed to the public. It is used to describe the moment when all the necessary content, images, and design elements have been finalized, proofread, and approved, and the materials are ready to be printed.
In this context, "press" refers to the printing press, a machine used to transfer ink onto paper or other materials. Going to press signifies the point at which the publication or document is ready to be loaded into the press and reproduced in large quantities.
Before going to press, several crucial tasks are typically completed. This includes typesetting the text and arranging graphics, adjusting layouts, ensuring the document adheres to the desired formatting, and addressing any previous revisions or corrections. Once these elements are verified and finalized, the material is at a stage of readiness to be printed en masse.
The phrase can also be used metaphorically to describe imminent publication or release of any kind of media or information. For instance, a newspaper article, magazine issue, or book nearing completion may be said to be going to press when all the content has been developed, edited, and approved.
Overall, "going to press" indicates the final step in the pre-printing process, signifying that the work is ready to be reproduced in its final form on a large scale and ultimately distributed to the intended audience.
