Tek-Tips is the largest IT community on the Internet today!

Members share and learn making Tek-Tips Forums the best source of peer-reviewed technical information on the Internet!

  • Congratulations strongm on being selected by the Tek-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!

Is placing blocks of outlined text into Quark a bad thing to do? 1

Status
Not open for further replies.

junglist

Technical User
Nov 20, 2003
95
AU
Is there any reason why you shouldn't place outlined text (from Illustrator) into Quark via an picture box?

Does Quark have any problem with this method?

thanks.
 
It shouldn't do? It's all just PostScript...

Why... are you having problems?

Duncan
 
No. I just don't want anything to go wrong.

With certain layouts, I find it easier to set my text in illustrator - that way I can simulaneosly modify image and text block within the same program. (when working with vector images).

I just find it tedious, when I change my mind about a layout, to have to switch between Quark and Illustrator, going to and fro.
 
I personally think it's easier to set text in Quark, even if it's related to a graphic (unless, of course, there are transparency effects, etc). That way you can work mostly in Quark and only use Illustrator when you need to adjust the images.

As I ponder your question, my inner pre-press personality surfaces and I can think of a couple of minor problems you could encounter by placing outlined text into Quark. When you create outlines on smaller point size fonts, they get heavier; bolder. So if that's an issue, you should the set text in Quark (or don't convert to outlines - but be sure to include those fonts when you send the file to your printer!).

Another thing is, depending on how the piece is going to be printed, some printers may have trouble trapping text placed from Illustrator. If you go to a smaller shop (like mine) who can't afford or has little use for expensive in-RIP trapping software, there can be problems seperating Illustrator images. They knockout by default, except for black which you can set to overprint. But if you use a spot color for your text block (not sure how process colors are handled), it will knock out whatever is behind it when in Quark, which can make it very difficult for the press to register prefectly. So, you may also want to check with whoever is doing your output.

Hope this helps!
 
WOW! Thanks signal 49 for taking the time to provide a very helpful, in-depth post.

I certainly wouldn't have considered the implications for trapping/knockouts etc.

And yes, I was aware that some fonts "gain weight" once outlined, but I thought this was just limited to how they appear on-screen.

So does this effect carry over to the printed document? And why doe sthis only happen with small font sizes? Is there an explanation?

Thanks again.
 
No problem

Yeah, the weight gain on those small fonts carries over into the printed piece. There was a recent post in the Illustrator forum which is where I actually just learned about the small font size issue. I don't really know why it happens, but I wish it wouldn't!
 
I agree with signal49 on all counts. As for the gain; all printers have a dot gain, which means that the dot of ink placed on the paper spreads. The smaller the type, the more visable the spread appears.
 
I see this gain on screen and on my lasers.... not strictly on press. So it's something about Illustrator, not just dot gain, although that magnifies it!
 
Sheesh....you'd think Adobe would get it right after 10 versions!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor

Back
Top