What does "collating" generally refer to in document production?

Collating refers to the process of sorting and organizing printed sheets or pages into a specific sequence to ensure they are presented in the correct order. This is particularly important in document production when multiple copies of a multi-page document need to be assembled for distribution or review. For instance, in preparing reports or manuals, collating helps to streamline the final output so that all pages are in the intended order, making it easier for the reader to follow and preventing any confusion that might arise from disorganized pages.

The other options do not accurately define collating. Creating digital backups pertains to data preservation, while adding tabs involves physical organization of documents rather than the sequencing aspect of collating. Designing brochures focuses on layout and visual presentation, which also diverges from the functional purpose of collating, which is fundamentally about order and organization in document handling.