Which is better to place for sheetfed press? pdf or eps

[doodler22]

I'm using CS on a PC. I'm creating simple newsletters using logos created in illustrator. They're made of spot colors. Which is better to place in the file - pdf or eps?

These newsletters are going to a pre-press house and are being printed traditionally on a sheet-fed press. I'm giving the pre-press house the native ID files (not pdf x1a) and all links.

All docs are 3 color - K, PMS 293 and PMS 1795

I'm used to using Quark and I always placed eps. What are the pros or cons of using pdfs instead of eps?

 

[jmgalvin]

I still use eps (with fonts outlined if they're used) for logos and such, for the simple reason that most people are used to them. I've never had anything bounced back.

Whenever I have to supply logos to various media outlets (which is a lot), they invariably ask for pure vector eps with outlined fonts. I've never been asked for a pdf.

I use pdf for completed work, but not for components of that work.



Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[Eggles]

Why not use the native AI files?

 

[doodler22]

I didn't know I could. With Quark, I always had to use eps or tiffs.

I guess the question is whether pdfs will separate properly for standard sheet-fed printing - especially if the placed pdfs are logos created using spot colors. Will they remain as spot colors or convert to CMYK?

 

[jmgalvin]

Separating pdfs embedded in indd can be a problem depending on what the printer has. It's solely dependent on the printers abilities. If they're up to speed, seps will be no problem.

Most printers should be up to speed on it now, but if you're not sure, eps always works.

You can check with the printer.

Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[Eggles]

doodler22

The generally recommended** file formats to use for graphics placed into InDesign is the native PSDs for raster images and native AIs for vector images. Much more straightforward, easier to edit, and they just work.

** check the Adobe User forums.

 

[apepp]

...yes, native files would be the way i go too...

...with native .ai i have found that the artwork needs to be within the artboard of illustrator otherwise you get a blank import in indesign, also the make pdf compatible option helps too when saving to natice .ai...

...with eps import into indesign there is that annoying white background too when screen quality is set to typical...

Andrew

 

[jimoblak]

Adobe is trying to move users from EPS to PDF.

PDF (more specifically PDP) is better from Photoshop than PSD because InDesign sees PSD vector data as bitmap. PDP files retain their scalable vector content when placed in InDesign.

The only reason you need to use EPS files is if you are sharing this art with Quark users.

 

[Eggles]

But if there is no vector data in the Photoshop file, just pixels, then there is no particular advantage in using PDF/PDP rather than PSD is there?

 

[Eggles]

Just another point -- as far as I am aware, EPS does not support transparency, so if you have removed the background from your image, and have a path or a clipping path, then it is better to use PSD (or PDF if there is also vector data), as InDesign recognises Photoshop paths.

 

[jimoblak]

But if there is no vector data in the Photoshop file...

Correct.

EPS supports 1-bit transparency via clipping paths so it is fine if you use a clipping path from Photoshop. If you need a graded transparency, you would use PSD/PDP/PDF/TIF. If that Photoshop file includes vector (aka type) data, you would use PDP/PDF.

Illustrator should output AI/PDF. EPS is dead unless you work with QuarkXPress or other apps limited to EPS.

 

[jimoblak]

Oh yeah... If it was not apparent, the reason why you would use PDP instead of PDF from Photoshop is that when you choose to edit the graphic from InDesign, PDF will open Acrobat and PDP will open Photoshop.

Likewise, you would place AI if you intend to trigger edits through InDesign. If you don't expect to make graphic edits because you are working with locked, stable logos in this case, placing PDF is fine.

 

[doodler22]

What's a pdp?

Also, if I place ai file in indesign, can I edit it in ID?

What about using jpgs for anything?

 

[jimoblak]

When you save a PDF file from Photoshop, you have the option of a file extension of PDP or PDF. If you choose the ideal PDP extension, then later, when you try to edit the image from InDesign, InDesign will trigger Photoshop for a PDP file extension instead of opening it in Acrobat for a PDF extension.

InDesign does not edit any image files. InDesign triggers a helper application such as Photoshop or Illustrator to open the files for editing.