Who sends PDF files to printers.

[Nohjekim]

I'd like to know how many people send art in the form of PDF files to commercial printers for 4 color print jobs.

The printers that I have talked to around here don't want to do it. I'd love to be able to just send a PDF file. It sure would save a lot of hassles if it works.

I just read a message on the InDesign Forum that said the writer sends all his print jobs as PDFs.

Have other people had resistance from their printers?

Any comments on the advantages or problems encountered would be welcome, maybe I can talk someone into trying it.

Mike

 

[maharg]

Hi Mike,

I send all my print jobs via .pdf.

I use a few print houses, some for printing my catalogues, some for 1 sheet brochures, and I also send .pdf advertisements to various magazines. Generally OK over the past 8 years.

Make sure you send as CMYK - if you send RGB you'll get nowhere. Make sure you embed all fonts. Make sure there's no compression.

Having said that, I am seriously thinking of moving over to Quark express - printers seem universally comfortable with that.

I tried the free demo disk, and I must say it confused the hell outa me. Old dog, new tricks etc. One day when I feel brave enough I may take the plunge, but for now, I'm happy enuf with the results from pdf.

Just tell the printer that a competitor CAN do .pdfs' ... that usually has the desired result .. and is probably true.

Regards,

Graham

 

[robertw477]

I just did a big job 48 pages to a printer who is familiar and comfortable working with pdfs. Forme this was a huge benefit as I use Pagemaker PC. It prevented the little glitches etc than can occur transferring hundreds of images etc. Anyway a printer that can go the pdf route will save alot of headache and usually are the more sophisticated printers. They were direct to plate printers.

Rob

 

[Nohjekim]

Thanks;

I'll push the issue, like you I use PageMaker on the PC.

I get those funny looks when I come in and the Apple people whisper to each other.

I switched to using only Adobe Type One Fonts on my PC a long time ago and that helped quite a bit, but being able to just send a PDF would really be a blessing.

Thanks for the info,

Mike

 

[carlow]

Hi,
PDF is my way of going to the printers. It is easy, no hassle at all if you get your distiller settings from the printers. They know best how they wan't your files. Drop those settings in your distiller folder and you can make the pdf they want to receive. The problems you can encounter or mostly with fonts. Some fonts, especially True Types, or fonts generated by Fontographer of another Font app can give you some hassle. I usually use Illustrator to check if there is any trouble. Illustrator is a very good app to check pdf-files.
But most of all pdf-files give me the freedom to use the interface I want. I for instance don't like Quark, first because of the pricing and also the need to have a lot of third party extensions to make the thing do the things you wan't. i don't want to make a new discussion about the Quark-Adobe dispute, but I am familiar with Pagemaker and want to be able to keep on working with my favorite tool fot DTP work. Pdf gives me this opportunity.
By the way a good tool to check if your PDF-files are good is Enfocus Pitstop. Not cheap and it uses a lot of ram on my G4, but it pays back. They give you good reports on how your pdf will behave.
grillhouse

 

[Nohjekim]

Thanks for the Input.

Mike

 

[viol8ion]

If your printer will not accept PDF, find another. PDF is the only way, IMO, to send documents that will be problem free.

The printers that do not want to accept PDFs have had problems in the past with poorly distilled files, i.e. graphics at 72DPI resolution, etc. When in doubt, deny all terms and defnitions.

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