Printing Business cards from ai

[SuperbSigns32]

Hello,

I have designed a business card in ai cs3. The size of the graphics is 55 mm x 85 mm. I would like to print 10 on one page is there an easy way to do this. thanks Rachel

 

[mezzi5]

Yes, buy Coreldraw

There is a discussion about this on the adobe forums:

http://www.adobeforums.com/webx?14@@.3bc3b5bc/2

My methods would be:
1)
- Make vector cropmarks around the object (in registration colour if necessary) and group.
- Deselect all and Press enter.
- Step (essentially copy transform) on X or Y then Cmd/Ctrl D to repeat that step.
- Group the steps you've made in the appropriate direction.
- Then press enter and step (copy transform) in the other direction. Cmd/Ctrl D to repeat.

I'm not sure if the cropmark tool can add cropmarks easily after you've done the step and repeat.

2)
Export the 85 x 55mm Illustrator artwork into Indesign
and use the Edit > Step & Repeat option there or use a script like Business Card CE 1.31 (available on adobes plugin site - and its free).

3)
If you're sending it out for printing maybe your printer has a RIP or 3rd party imposition software that will do it for you.

 

[apepp]

...Ai isn't an imposition layout program, one method is to create a symbol instance of you whole business card, then step and repeat it manually using the transform commands (via copy) across the desired sheet size in Ai...

...If you were to edit the symbol then all other instances can be updated automatically without having to lay them out again manually...

...another option might be to use acrobat pro, via the print settings to multiple pages per sheet...

...with this method you would need to either print 10 copies to postscript from Ai and distill to pdf...

...or save out a pdf from illustrator, duplcate the pdf so you get 10 copies, combine to one pdf via acrobat combine function, then setup the print settings. You have to be careful with this method otherwise you can end up scaling the artwork smaller if your page setup isn't correct...

...personally i would go for the step and repeat symbol workaround if you can...

Andrew

 

[jock123]

I don't use the symbol method, and I would be interested to know if it has any advantages over the way I do it.

1. Create the artwork for a single card, then select it all.
2. Use Effect -> Distort & Transform -> Transform..., and specify the horizontal displacement, and the number of copies required.
3. Use the same command again, okaying the warning about applying another instance, then set the vertical displacement and number of copies (I typically work in the top left corner, so my vertical displacement is a negative number).
I'd do it this way, because any editing of the original will propagate through all the copies, it is easy to use the Appearance palette to edit and adjust the instances of the Transform... command (which you can't do with the step and repeat), and the Expand command can be applied to turn it into a full page of artwork if needs be (if for example you need to do sheets with the names of multiple people).

Would the symbol method give a different result?
I'd certainly recommend the Transform... over step and repeat workflow (I find it incredibly useful for creating repeating patterns too - make a shape, apply the instances of Transform... as above, then apply any effect, warp or whathave you, and look for a pleasing result...).