230 CS3 InDesigns files need changing to another patone colour arghhh! 1

[lisa72]

Hi there Guys and Girls,

I have a bit of a nightmare on my hands, I have been producing a book for a client of 150 pages. In the book there are numerous adverts, all created in seperate indesign documents, which was then intended to be PDF'd to load into the overall master indesign document to go to the printers. Following a colour check the client has now changed their minds about the original agreed colour.

Is there a way I can change all 230 adverts with the wrong colour to the right one all at once, rather than having to open every indesign file?

I dont really want to spend to days opening and closing the files just for a slight colour ammendment

Lisa

 

[lisa72]

I am sorry I forgot to mention that I am working for a PC rather than a MAC, otherwise I would have used the action script

If anybody can help, you will make me a very happy bunny

 

[jmgalvin]

You can simply combine them into one ID doc and then change the Pantone. They're going to be combined at some point so you can do it now and change the spot.

Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4 & G5

 

[lisa72]

I know this sounds stupid but when you say combine the files, importing them all into a new indesign file or do you know a different quicker way of doing it

 

[eugenetyson]

The simple answer is yes. But you don't have to do it. Have a word with the printing company, as they will have to RIP all the files for their plate making process. They should be able to map the colours from their RIP to what you want. I'm sure they'd even let you sit on the process to ensure it goes swimmingly.

Alternatively, you can change one swatch in one doucment. Load all your indesign files into a book, File>New>Book, then insert pages, from here you can sychronise all the colours across all of the documents. I'm not sure you want to go that way about it, I certainly wouldn't as I'd be absolutely 100% certain that I would double check each file.

So we're back to mapping colours, which I strongly recommend for this process.

Once you've loaded all the documents into a book, in the correct order you simply have to make a PDF of the whole thing. In the OUTPUT section of the PDF dialog box you can use the INK MANAGER to map whatever colour you want to any other colour.

However, be warned that putting all the documents into a book can affect page numbers etc. But you can clearly see what the page numbers are right in the book panel.

That brings us right back to the printers. Which I still think is the best option, get them to map the colour RIP stage, if they can.

 

[eugenetyson]

Oh and JMGALVIN has the right idea too. I don't know how much you're pressed for time, but if you had the time, combine them all into one document and save yourself a heap of worry.

 

[jmgalvin]

To combine:

Since you have all separate files it will be annoying, but here's how you do it.

Open the main doc. then open a second. if you want you can open a few more. Shaow pages palette. Go to Window menu/arrange and select Tile so you can see all.

Make second doc active and drag the page(s) from the Pages window onto the last page of the first doc. The page will be added. Repeat as necessary. Make sure to Save often.

It probably would have been easier to make the one doc in the fist place so that global editing would be possible. You can always extract a page by creating a new blank doc and following the above procedure.

Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4 & G5