Help setting up pdf proofs

[brianl74528239]

HI All

The company I work for, does not have custom proofs. They just send proofs out of IND.

Can anyone send me some examples. What language you use and layout of proof.

Any help would be great!

Thanks Brian

[Derek Cross]

For proofs select one of the InDesign presets (PDF/X-4 or Smallest File Size if it's a really large document) and select Spreads and if it seems large use (within Acrobat Pro) Save As Other > Reduced Size PDF.

For printing select (usually) PDF/X-4, select Single pages (not spreads), select (tick) Crop marks and Use Document Bleed Settings.

Unless your printer gives you a different spec.

[brianl74528239]

http://

[brianl74528239]

This is a example for a proof to send to the client.

[Derek Cross]

Which type of PDF did you select?

Bare in mind that there may be significant issues that effect the look of the proof, such as the PDF Reader your customer may use, whether their monitor has been calibrated and the viewing conditions under which they check the PDF.

[Randy Hagan]

I don't think the original poster looking for how to create a PDF proof so much as he's looking for a utility to create contract proofs, which are a whole different animal.

To the original poster, I'd suggest going to your press equipment reps. I'd start with the ones selling proofing equipment, like Kodak/Prinergy, GMGColor, etc. I know GMG has a contract proof software solution, but I don't know if it'll fit your specific needs. Prinergy does too, but I'm not as familiar with the products there. There may also be other vendors, but I don't know them.

[Stephen Marsh]

I see this differently to both Derek and Randy. I think that brianl74528239 is looking for something that will combine the original InDesign artwork onto a "proofing sheet" template that will contain static elements such as the prepress house or printing company name and logo, legal statements and also dynamic elements such as colours used in the file, project name, client name, dimensions etc.

This is common and makes sense in the packaging industry as with the example bottle label. Despite its many merits, InDesign is not an industry-standard tool in the packaging industry,  however, with native PDF editing tools things are now becoming more open and the legacy use of Illustrator for creating artwork.

[Randy Hagan]

Brian, we're all guessing here.

What are you looking for in a proof solution?

[brianl74528239]

What I am looking for is to be more professional and have more professional proofs.

Thanks Brian

[Randy Hagan]

With all due respect — truly — I'd suggest that if you're turning out contract proofs like the example you've provided, you're creating pretty professional proofs right there.

If that's the target you're aspiring to, I'd suggest you take a look at the high-end proofing software I linked to in my previous response. You can build that into a template within InDesign, but the effort would be considerable. The swatch palette in particular would be a constant headache to produce from InDesign. GMGColor's contract proof software makes it much easier. I don't know for sure if Kodak/Prinergy's solution matches those capabilities, but I'm pretty confident that it will. There may be other vendors who do this as well, but these are the only two that I know of which will automate production of quality contract proofs.

Neither of these contract proofing software solutions are cheap. And, of course, if you're looking to produce contract proofs that are worth signing off on, you're going to need the top-quality color proofing hardware and media to generate those proofs. And perform the maintenance and calibration to ensure that your equipment continues to generate those quality contract proofs.

This is not an area where you want to fake it. Because missing the mark on press would have expensive consequences.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Randy

[Colin Flashman]

@OP:

I can't send you a sample of my employer's form as it is their IP, but can tell you that it's roughly what you had in your sample shot except that the quantity is added, and there are measurement arrows around the label so that when the client prints it out, they can make sure it's the right size (assuming that the PDF isn't printed with "scale to fit" turned on... which usually is). I made a script especially to make adding the measurements quicker: https://colecandoo.com/2015/12/12/bonus-script-for-the-holidays-draw-arrows-around-an-object/

One thing I've NEVER seen on any proof form - that I think should be there - would be the conditions of sale, and I don't mean "errors and omissions excluded" - I mean when payment is expected by, how payment is accepted, ownership of the digital assets etc. Doesn't need to be on page one of the proof and could be the second page that contains all the "fine print".

Also, is the sample provided by the OP from the OP's employer? You may wish to redact it for privacy purposes (e.g. blot out the client's name etc)

[Randy Hagan]

Actually, I can make a case why you wouldn't want to include prices, terms and rights assignment on a contract proof.

For printers, the client rights should be a given; client's job, client's rights. And involving creatives in the business side of a job can be fraught with complications for an organization.

For us little guys and gals, whose organization consists of me, myself and I, this is no big deal because we both sign off on the deal and write the checks. But if I'm a large ad agency looking for client sign-off on a job I've already negotiated discounts on, or have to account for cost overruns due to in-house issues or client markups and changes, I don't need my printer showing my numbers before the job is completed. I'd much rather discuss it with them over my monthly statement than hang a deadline in the air while I get in a, ahem, three-way nerve-measuring contest between my vendor, my client and myself.

Jus' sayin' ...

[Colin Flashman]

You may like to re-read my post. I never mentioned price. I mentioned "when payment is expected by, how payment is accepted, ownership of the digital assets etc" and this is because terms of business do vary. Some print shops may want C.O.D, others may be happy to accept 30 day terms... some places may be happy to accept paypal or Amex, others may only accept cash or cheques.

The reason I mention the conditions of sale is there is debate within my circles as to who owns the artwork (printer, client, third party), how long the printer agrees to keep the artwork on file, etc and it can be good to get that squared away in the terms and conditions. In other lines of work, terms and conditions are an everyday part of doing business. For example, if you rent a car, the rear of the agreement that you sign usually contains all the terms and conditions.

[Randy Hagan]

Whoa.

Yeah, you're right I mentioned price. I mean no disrespect; please don't take it that way.

Don't take it as putting words in your mouth. I didn't intend it that way. But payment terms are as sensitive as the actual price for a lot of businesses. Mine, for example. There are other vehicles where such terms can be clearly spelled out besides every contract proof. (All emphases mine) And I'm sure I'm not the only one.

I'm not saying that such issues shouldn't be clear between everyone involved. For me, they're spelled out with my clients with each project proposal I issue and every client agreement I make. Always in writing. It's included in my contract boilerplate. I find it works a lot better when I clearly spell out such terms when I initiate a contract, than to inject them into a contract proof in the middle of one. That's where I see the whole fraught with peril part comes in.

If you don't agree and want to do that, don't let me stop you. I won't. I promise.

Again, I'm jus' sayin' I wouldn't because final approval isn't the spot where I want to open Pandora's Box. Your mileage may vary ....