Hi Everybody,For starters, I'm trying to come to grips with PDF creation in DRAW X6. I'll move on to PagePlus after my mind clears on the basics.I will want to print a newsletter containing text, vector image, and a photo imported into DRAW.So here are my first few questions.1. What PDF standard should I use for offset printing and what format for a professional ink jet printer.2. Should I make the PDF file from:--- SAVE AS > PDF--- Print > Adobe PDF--- Corel PDF Creator2. Does it matter if the file is sRGB or SWOP-2 color mode.3. Do all images have to be converted to the same color space.4. Can I create a different color space for each page.4. Should I make separation files for either offset or inkjet printing.Thanks for any suggestions.Phil
Phil you're thinking too hard.
Create your file depending on where it's printing, DIGITAL copier 200 dpi RGB or CMYK, Ink Jet 100 DPI RGB or CMYK. FLATTEN ALL TRANSPARENCY, (select all drop shadows and lenses and anything that sits behind them, group and convert to a bitmap), then publish to PDF using the prepress preset, NATIVE color, do not subset fonts, set bleed if needed, embed color profiles.
Actual printing press CMYK only in the file 300 dpi, FLATTEN ALL TRANSPARENCY, (select all drop shadows and lenses and anything that sits behind them, group and convert to a bitmap), then publish to PDF using the prepress preset, NATIVE color, do not subset fonts, set bleed if needed, DO NOT embed color profiles.
Does not matter what color mode for digital, actual printing press must be CMYK, in the US you can use USwebcoated V2, or Gracol 6 20006 coated V2 DO NOT EMBEDD PROFILES for the printing press. ONLY CREATE WITH CMYK FILE CONTENT.
I'd try PDF preset "Editing" from Publish to PDF.It defaults to "Acrobat 6.0" compatibility mode (which also preserves transparencies), keeps colors as "Native" and embeds color profiles.The only thing to change is probably whether to send text as text or curves (Objects tab).Maybe also how to compress bitmaps, quality vs. file size.
Then I'd make sure I use printers who know what they are doing, and they would take care of it and notify you if anything is wrong.
Flatting that David mentioned (select all drop shadows and lenses and anything that sits behind them, group and convert to a bitmap) is always wise though.
Even though Acrobat 5 and higher support transparencies, there may (most certainly) be problems along the way.
Phil1923 said:Do you recommend text as text or should text be converted to curves.
Text should be remain as text, but make sure that you'e using a preset that embed the text on the document. Not all PDF are the same, and this is something improtant that most people don't know. Is you don't choose the right option, the font is not embeded, then it could change For this reason we talk about to start using the right "presets" (such as PDF X/3) although you can modify it before publish. For example, if you choose "PDF for web" the file size will be smaller but font will not embedded and images will output at 72 dpi RGB
Embed fonts take less memory than convert to curves, and if you use a large amount of text, convert to curves can cause problems on some RIP
The PrePress people can do several correction with a good and vector PDF, such as overprint colors (or remove overprint), change colors (such as convert a rich black to 100% black only) add bleed, copmarks, etc
Phil the prepress is the best, then you can control your color by building the file correctly for individual destinations this is the least complicated.
Digital and press output can be done, RGB content is fine but it presents a problem for true press output.
What you can do is set up your color proof settings for print press, then build your file in any color space you want and when you publish to PDF in the color tab of the publish to PDF dialog select use color proof settings. That will create a Press PDF.
This allows the user to publish NATIVE color PDF files using all color models for digital but when print press only PDF files are desired simply choose the use color proof settings converting all PDF file content to those color models.
BTW the font issue is simple go to the Windows font folder, select a font, right click select properties, under the details tab you will see if the font or fonts you used can be embedded. If so then send all fonts as fonts, I NEVER subset fonts.