Choose the Best PDF Preset for Printing

Posted on March 26, 2012 by swerner

Most printers understand the value of having their customers send PDF file for printing. Correctly created, a PDF is a digital master that contains all the graphics, type, and fonts that make up a document for printing. The key is in the settings you choose when you make your PDF file.

If you’re using the print-oriented Adobe Creative Suite applications, things are made much easier because there is an Export Adobe PDF dialog box available in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. It provides PDF presets for many print workflows, and you get the most control over the kind of PDF file the printer needs. (While it’s still possible to make a PDF by creating a PostScript file, and processing it though Acrobat Distiller, this older, more tedious process usually provides few advantages.)

Choose-the-Best-PDF--

In Adobe InDesign, choose File > Export > Adobe PDF or Adobe PDF (Print), depending on the version. In Adobe Illustrator, choose File > Save As > Adobe PDF (pdf). In Adobe Photoshop, choose File > Save As > Photoshop PDF.

The most important question is which of the PDF presets to choose. The best choice is typically the one that your print provider gives you. However, if they don’t specify their own choice, use one of the three PDF/X options: PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, or PDF/X-4. A PDF/X file must include certain elements essential for printing, and it may prohibit certain things.

If your printer has a PostScript RIP, the best choice is usually PDF/X-1a (shown above). When you choose this preset all colors (e.g., RGB images) are converted to CMYK using the output intent defined on the Output pane (the default is US Web Coated SWOP). Fonts are all embedded. This choice also flattens all transparency. Your printer can tell you if this workflow will work for their printing process.

Turn on Overprint Preview Before Printing

Posted on March 20, 2012 by swerner

Adobe printing applications (InDesign and Illustrator) let you turn on a feature called Overprint Preview that can solve a number of printing problems.

Overprinting is pretty simple. When you overlay two colors like the left example below, by default the cyan circle knocks out (covers up) the yellow rectangle. If you want the colors to mix, you could select the Overprint Fill attribute on the Attributes panel and apply it to the cyan object.

Normally, you couldn’t view this effect on screen but if you choose View > Overprint Preview in Adobe InDesign or Adobe Illustrator, you can see the color mixing.

Turning on Overprint Preview also solves several printing problems:

• If you are mixing transparency effects with spot colors, it will correctly preview the effect for printing

• Choosing Overprint Preview correctly previews the effect of mixing transparency blending modes with spot-color objects

• In Illustrator, it’s possible to accidentally set white to overprint. (This could happen if you changed the color of a black overprinting object to white; the overprint attribute remains.) White in illustration and layout applications mean, “There is no ink here.” Turning on overprinting shows off this problem.

Turning on overprint all the time will may slow down your computer performance because it will turn on a high-resolution display. But it’s a good practice to use Overprint Preview as a diagnostic technique before sending a job for printing.

Fixing Corrupt InDesign Files

Posted on March 15, 2012 by swerner

Sometimes you find an InDesign file that seems to cause problems. It could crash unexpectedly. It may be acting bizarre. Or it may just have something like a “phantom font” or a spot color that appears even though it’s really not there.
A good troubleshooting technique is to export an IDML file (in InDesign CS4, CS5 or CS5.5) or an INX file (in InDesign CS2 or CS3). These are XML files that contain all the information in the file (but not the graphics). Saving them is sort of like giving your file a deep cleaning.
In InDesign CS4, 5 or 5.5, choose File > Export. In the Format menu select InDesign Markup (IDML). Save the file.

In InDesign CS2 or CS4, choose File > Export. In the Format menu select InDesign [Version] Interchange (INX). Save the file. (The version will be the number of the previous version.)
Then re-open the file in InDesign, and see if it fixes the problem.
These formats were designed to save backward to the previous version of InDesign. But sometimes they can also get rid of hidden corruption.

Remember that these files don’t contain the graphics so to reopen them you still have to have access to the linked graphics referenced in the file.

Troubleshooting Adobe Applications

Posted on March 9, 2012 by swerner

A common problem in Adobe applications used for production (InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop) is when the program starts to behave strangely (for example, when panels disappear or don’t work correctly). There is a simple troubleshooting method that often solves the problem. It either involves holding down computer keys as you’re launching the program or deleting a file or folder.

Warning: You must be quick holding down the keys, and you will lose some application customizations you have made.

Here are some instructions for using this technique with each of these applications:

InDesign:

Quit the application. Launch InDesign and IMMEDIATELY hold down Ctrl + Alt + Shift (Windows) or Command + Ctrl + Option + Shift (Macintosh). You’ll receive the prompt below. Choose Yes.

Alternatively, quit the program and search for and delete the “InDesign Defaults” and “InDesign Saved Data” files.

Illustrator:

Quit the application. Launch Illustrator and IMMEDIATELY hold down Ctrl + Alt + Shift (Windows) or Command + Option + Shift (Macintosh). You’ll receive no prompt, and the program will open as usual.

Alternatively, quit the program and search for the “Adobe Illustrator [version] Settings” folder and delete it. Insert the version (for example, CS5) in the search string.

Photoshop:

Quit the application. Launch Photoshop and IMMEDIATELY hold down Ctrl + Alt + Shift (Windows) or Command + Option + Shift (Macintosh). You’ll receive the prompt below. Choose Yes.

Alternatively, quit the program and search for and delete the “Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings folder. Insert the version (for example, CS5) in the search string.

Beautiful Business Card Designs

Posted on March 8, 2012 by twatkins

Check out these awesome business cards from 99designs.com. We print for a growing number of 99design’s customers and are continually impressed by their creativity. Here you can see a full sampling of what you can achieve with quality print design. Take a look!

Keep Your Type Sharp

Posted on February 29, 2012 by swerner

The power of your printed piece is usually conveyed most strongly through your type. If your type is sharp, it best communicates whatever message you want to send to your audience. Here are a few tips to make sure that your type remains crisp and sharp.

First, make sure you’re using the Type tool in whatever program you’re working in. If you are sending your applications files to your printer, use the Package feature (InDesign) or Collect for Output feature (QuarkXPress) if it’s available, to send your original fonts.

Don’t inadvertently rasterize (turn into pixels) the type. This softens the type, and it loses its crispness. The stair-stepping on the left letter indicates it has been rasterized.

If want to place type you’ve created in Photoshop into a program like InDesign, save it as a Photoshop PDF file. Unlike Photoshop PSD format, this keeps the sharp edges.

If you’re creating a PDF file, be sure to embed your fonts. If you’re using an Adobe application, or using a Macintosh, this usually happens automatically. If you’re using an older version of Microsoft products, you may need to look for the option to embed fonts.

If the fonts are not embedded, they may be substituted. The original font, Stone Sans, is shown above, and the substituted font, Adobe Serif MM, is shown below.

Winners: PFL Make Work Fun Blog Contest!

Posted on February 9, 2012 by twatkins

Among our many entries, PFL is excited to award first and second place winners of our ‘Make Work Fun” blog contest!Thanks to everyone who gave us a unique view of how you make your work place your ‘happy place.’ Here are a few tactics we learned from our contestants on how they have fun at work – as well as a couple of PFL’s own strategies:

Interrupting your day with random 10 minute NERF wars: multiple contestants cited this as a regular occurrence in their work place – and an awesome way to move around, get your blood flowing, and recharge your focus.
Ongoing daily trivia contests: these small, but exciting competitions between coworkers give everybody something fun to look forward to during the work day.
Make it memorable: taking a unique, innovative, and get this…FUN approach to small things (like memos and meetings.) This will get everyone’s attention – and won’t be forgotten. For example, one contestant issues all their memos in comic book form!
At PFL, we allow 15-20 of our employee’s dogs to roam freely about the building! This gives everyone a chance to enjoy their antics, and take frequent mini-breaks to visit their favorite pups during the day.
PFL also promotes an open floor plan. This is somewhat of an “anti-cubicle” policy, with coworkers desks out in plain view of each other. This allows increased communication for both work and fun!

And the winners are…

First Place Winner – Prize: iPad 2

Element X Creative

Element X truly went above and beyond here, with a plethora of awesome pictures and detailed descriptions. Check out their post, and you’ll see that Element X takes having fun at work to a whole new level!

Second Place Winner – Prize: Amazon Kindle Fire

American Training, Inc.

American Training gave us the rundown on how they live every day in the “WOW Philosophy” – and it rocks! Check out their post, and see how WOW makes every day “outrageouslymemorable.”

Be sure to stay tuned, there will be more awesome blog contests to come!

What do Butterflies, Business, and ‘Booger Glue’ Have in Common? One Awesome Tri Fold Brochure!

Posted on January 27, 2012 by twatkins

Check out the Tri Fold Brochure PFL printed for promoting at nationwide trade shows.

PFL goes all out creating its own marketing materials. This Brochure has it all; a beautiful die cut butterfly on the cover, important product info, and loads of colorful images. Inside you’ll even find a Plastic Gift Card sealed firmly with temporary-stick Fugitive glue (AKA Booger Glue!)

If you’d like to offer prospective clients an amazing print piece to grow your business, call PFL today for your own design!

Creative Greeting Cards by Artists Hashim Thomas – stunning designs from iconic images

Posted on December 13, 2011 by twatkins

Check out the Die Cut Greeting Cards PFL recently printed for Hashim Thomas, an accomplished artist and Creative Director of VisuaLogic, LLC.

VisuaLogic’s latest venture is a greeting card line based on Hashim’s “Icon Series” paintings. As noted on his website, Hashim “believes in sharing meaningful moments with the people he cares about, and extends this philosophy into a fitting product for that sentiment.”

PFL experts went above and beyond with this project – creating six custom die and foil lines for the cards. The shape of the rock star’s hair line for example, has more detail than PFL has ever created in a Die Cut before.

With a combination of modern art and historic significance, these cards bring a fresh look to your favorite cultural icons.

PFL Customer Project Showcase: You are one ugly sleeper. Or so it says on this sticker…

Posted on October 19, 2011 by twatkins

Joseph Depinho, of Depinho Design, created a funny, double-take sticker for the webiste “Sleeping Ugly”. Yep, you read that right: Sleeping Ugly. Snap a photo of an ugly or oddly funny person sleeping and post it on www.sleepingugly.com.

Check out the playful and colorful sticker here, and if you happen to find someone sleeping ugly, well, now you know what to do.