PDF settings for printing

[vanessav75728208]

Hi there,

I had recently come here for advice regarding an issue with creating a book cover for someone using Adobe Illustrator. I have another issue I was hoping someone could help with.

So, the book cover is completed, and I need to create a PDF file to be submitted to the printing company the author is working with. The issue is that they have a ton of different guidelines on their website on how to create files and set them up to be submitted. Because of my confusion and my lack of experience, I called the printing company for assistance. I tried explaining that I needed to know what type of PDF they needed and what other settings I should change when saving as a PDF. They simply told me that they accept any type of PDF file. I tried reiterating that I needed to know more information, but they insisted multiple times that they accept any and all PDF files. They told me to just save my file as a PDF, that they will double check to make sure it looks fine, and they will contact the author if something is wrong.

I'm a bit flustered by all of this, and was wondering if there is simply a standard way to save an Illustrator file as a PDF to be printed. What preset should I use and what other settings should I change (Compression, Marks and Bleeds, Output, etc}? I do know they don't want trim marks. My file also has 1/8" bleeds. I understand that this is normally information provided by the printing company, but because they have not been particularly helpful, I was hoping there were settings that generally work for all printing purposes.

Also, the author I am working with has told me that for previous books he has published, the book covers he has submitted were files that ranged from 25-50MB in size. Every time I try to save my Adobe Illustrator file as a PDF, no matter the settings I choose, the file is barely 10MB. Does file size matter at all? If it needs to be larger, how can I create a larger file?

My document is setup so that I am working in CMYK color mode, and at 300dpi if that matters.

[Doug A Roberts]

The current standard is PDF/X-4:2008. If they haven't specified anything else, that's a good bet.

[jdanek]

You did the right thing by calling them.  One thing that bothers me is that they told you if there were any problems, they would contact the author.  Why not contact you, the creator?  I have prepared book covers in the past with great success.  My approach may be old school, but I save my file(s) as .eps and then use Distiller to create the PDF.  In my .eps file, I save the font along with the file and I "Link" to image files.  You should not have to create a "large" file, but I sense whoever did save a 20--50mb file probably had "create a PDF compatable file chosen and/or probably embedded the image file(s).  Two concerns when submitting a PDF: 1.) make sure you embed the fonts; 2.) make sure you have "Leave Color Unchanged" selected in your settings.  Double check your file to make sure you have proper black overprints.  Your bleeds are okay.  For piece of mind, you should always get a contract proof first.  Then, get the print vendor to send you their proof and see if they match.  Better yet, have the author "sign-off" on your contract proof and then again sign-off on the vendor's proof.  That is your only protection and is useful for solving disputes, if any.

[ceyhun_akgun]

1- The book cover should have a resolution of 300 PPI.

2- BLEED value 3 mm is sufficient.

3- You should pay attention to color profiles.

4- Color values ​​must be CMYK or PANTONE.

5- Overprint should be applied if there is a point.

6 - You need to save PDFX3.

[vanessav75728208]

Wow! Thank you for all the help! I am very much a newbie in all of this, so please bear with me. I want to be sure I am doing this right and understanding things correctly.

Is embedding the font the same as Creating Outlines/Expanding Appearance? This is what I had done.

The design consists of a digital painting I made in Photoshop (the document was setup in CMYK color mode and at 300 PPI). This was placed in Illustrator in which I did all of the text. The Illustrator file was also setup with CMYK color mode and with a resolution of 300PPI. So I'm assuming I'm good with resolution and color.

What exactly should I be paying attention to for color profiles? When I open Document Info, I see that the color profile selected is U.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2. Is this okay?

I don't think overprint applies to my design, but when I select Overprint Preview everything appears fine.

What about transparency modes? Some of the text has "Screen" and "Color Dodge" applied. I read that you should flatten transparencies, but when I do this, the desired effect disappears. Probably because I have the text on top of a raster illustration.

If the printer does not want me to include trim marks in the PDF, how do I ensure that nothing gets cut off during the printing process? Do I need to save the file on an oversized page? Or is simply setting up the document with 3mm bleeds sufficient? I guess I don't understand how the actual printing process works. I also have 3/16" margins around the cover as a safety net so that text won't get cut off.

[Monika Gause]

Ask the printer about color profiles. They need to tell you.

If your file is set up correctly with bleed, then you don't need printers marks in a PDF. The PDF cares for that itself.

The transparency flattening can be done when writing the PDF (as PDF/X-1 and X-3) or when RIPping the file. Again:Ask the printer about which file exactly to deliver. Tell them about the transparency. It depends on the kinds of machines they use.

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

Making assumptions about what your printer needs or wants is a bad idea. As Monika suggests, talk directly to a Prepress person at the printer. No one on this forum knows what your printer needs for their workflow.