Native File Preparation
Correct Layout Files
The Adobe PDF files have become an industry standard because the format is
compatible with virtually all operating systems and digital pre-press systems.
But PDFs can't fix problems, they just make them easier to print. So know your
native application(s) and pre-flight your final documents carefully before converting
and submitting the final PDF file. That way a problem-free PDF will result in
a problem free print job.
Check list for layout programs:
- Set the correct paper size.
- If possible, use PostScript Type 1 or OpenType fonts and avoid
TrueType fonts.
- Do not select font modifications in the application program (artificial
italics or bold).
- Use images in a CMYK colour space and at the right resolution
(scan correctly or reduce the resolution in the image editing program).
- Do not use application-based "hairlines", use a minimum .25" point
for all strokes, paths and rules.
- Observe minimum and maximum tonal values (e.g. screen tonal values
between 5 and 95%).
- Remove superfluous objects – even from outside the page
borders.
- Delete empty pages.
PDF File Preparation
Issues often leading to PDF printing errors:
- Spot colour blends in QuarkXpress will convert to CMYK separations
if not done properly.
- DCS 1.0 or 2.0 images will only work in a separated workflow.
- Duotones, Tritones etc., will convert to CMYK separations unless
you create the images using Photoshop 5.01 or higher and generate
PostScript 2 to distilling.
- Our RIP software for our film, plate and digital output devices
most reliably process PDF version 1.3 files, that is, a PDF file
produced by Adobe Acrobat 4.0.
PDF 1.4 Transparency
Files created from Illustrator 9 that use transparency
must be flattened before they are converted to PDF by Acrobat Distiller.
Golden Rules for Generating a PDF Document
- Layout files: Layout errors often pop up in PDF documents, e.g.
if pages have been designed incompletely or unprofessionally.
- Avoiding PDF Writer: Anyone using Distiller is on the right path
to creating a print-ready PDF document.
- Use Adobe PS printer drivers: The latest printer drivers for Mac
OS and Windows can be downloaded from Adobe’s web server (http://www.
adobe.com/support/downloads/).
- Using Distiller PPD: The PostScript printer drivers include the
Distiller PPD. Other PPDs generate device-specific PDF documents.
- Embedding fonts for PostScript output: This ensures that Distiller
receives and embeds the fonts that are actually used.
- Configuring Distiller correctly: The person producing the document
provides the appropriate ‘Job Options’.
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