File Preparation
Overview for cold offset web
FP Producing any product, whether it is a single ad or an entire publication, takes the correct tools and software. Using the correct tools would be utilizing some of the many Adobe products or bundles like Creative Suite. Printers prefer that a customer use InDesign, Photoshop and Acrobat to create files.
Quark is acceptable and still used, so long as Acrobat Distiller is used to create the final PDF. A few users still use Corel Draw and Photo with some success through trial and error. Improper tools or document programs that are not widely accepted in printing are Publisher and any freeware type program.
These tools appear to do the job and have the correct file extension, but they leave out many of the features that create a proper file for print. They will look good on the screen and print to a low-end printer. When they go to a printer that is using very high-resolution equipment, plates and press however, the printed piece will show images that are not clear and colors that are not vibrant and do not pop.
Most of these files lack the ability to convert to process color and hold color spaces and embed fonts. When it comes to the parts of a document that make up a publication, having the correct images, logo and art depends on how they are handled.
To design eye-catching, award-winning products, you want to choose clear, high-resolution objects that can sway a customer to look at the ad or publication. Customers do not take the time to look at an ad or publication built with poor artwork and blurry photos.