How to turn a PSD file into a printable AI file?

[kluftern2]

I made a business card in photoshop and now the printer I am sending it to says he needs it in AI format. I am afraid that my photoshopped card is not high quality enough to print. Is there a way that I can up the quality on AI? Please take a look at my card and tell me whether or not I have to redo it in AI.

Link to my PSD card

http://www.mediafire.com/?djndgj6bg4g

 

[jimoblak]

How did you make this in Photoshop without regard for print resolution? I see only 255 x 153 pixels.

Supposing that you had started out this project in the right resolution, you could still use Photoshop if you made an allowance for bleed and saved as PDF. The PSD file you have now is useless because the resolution is too low and fonts are not included. Fonts would be included if you saved as PDF.

 

[apepp]

...the print provider is right here, you will likely need to start over again with this artwork, set up at 280 to 300 dpi document, save to pdf from photoshop, include artwork bleed that extends beyond the final trim size (typically 3mm around all sides...

Andrew

 

[kluftern2]

how do I set up bleeds?

 

[apepp]

...from the start, image size dialog needs to be trim size plus 6mm width and height...

...or, if already started, choose image > canvas size and add more to the trim size that way, select relative and type in 6mm in both input fields, anchor from the middle is the default and will work fine...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...another way is to use the crop tool, drag out to fill canvas, then using the info palette drag out some handles until 3mm has been added to the info palette values, double click area made when done...

Andrew

 

[kluftern2]

how do I add guides?

 

[apepp]

...view > rulers and then drag out from the measurement bars around the canvas, use the info palette to see where 3mm falls...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...to adjust an existing guide, hold the command key and hover over a guide until your cursor changes, click and drag...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...command on windows is control key, or apple key on a mac...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...F8 key for the info palette or choose window > info...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...to add if you have the move tool active (V key) you don't need the command key to select guides, command is a shortcut with any other tool selected...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...another way to add guides is view > new guide, input a value...

Andrew

 

[jimoblak]

how do I add guides?

Press the F1 key and save apepp from repetitive stress syndrome.

 

[apepp]

...when you save as PDF, choose 'high quality print' preset in the save as PDF dialog, that will be fine...

Andrew

 

[kluftern2]

ahaha sorry if I have so many questions, I am pretty noob at this.
Last question, when do I extend the image into the bleed section and how will the printer know that it is the bleed section? Do I have color the bleed section at all?

 

[MarcusStringer]

Bleed is the industry term used to describe what happens when the document gets trimmed down.

When you send you document to the printer they will impose it up onto a much larger sheet so you image could be placed, say, four time across and 10 times deep, that way they don't need to print it one at a time.

Because they do this, they need to trim the paper sheets down to your document size.

If you don't have bleed on your document, and the printer doesn't get the trim spot on you will get something like this.

See the white edge down the side?

So you need to put Bleed on your document by extending the artwork beyond the document size by at least 3mm. Like this.

That way when they trim it down, you can be sure they will trim through the artwork which you have extended past the document size, thus making sure your final trimmed down product will not have any white edges.

So, it should look like this.

Marcus

http://www.midlandtypesetters.com.au

 

[kluftern2]

alright I got it now, so the standard bleed is 3mm all around?

 

[MarcusStringer]

3mm to 5mm is the standard. Don't go below that...

We are always happy to help withany questions you have, that's what we're here for...

Jim's reference, was to Apepp posting so many times in a row...

I've been poking fun at him for awhile now about it...



Marcus

http://www.midlandtypesetters.com.au

 

[kluftern2]

Thanks a lot Ill redo it now.