Convert text to outline or curves photoshop

[Michelle281096930w9m]

Hi,

I need to convert text in photoshop to outline text or curves, in order for the file to be print ready to send to a printer. Without being able to do this myself, I have to pay a designer to create a file for me.

I have selected the Horozontal Type Mask Tool, typed the font, then other sources say go to Edit, and select Stroke (outline) selection. This doesn't seem to be an option? 

Is someone able to help me?

Kind regards

Michelle

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

Rather than using the type mask tool (selection based), you should create the text using a standard text layer with the horizontal type tool. Save this file as a PSD for your editable working file.

Dupe the file, then use the type menu > convert to shape command. This will create a vector shape layer (filled with raster content at the document resolution). If you wish to preserve the vector content (a good thing), then you should save the file for handing off to the print service provider as a Photoshop PDF or PSD. If they are asking for a different file format such as JPEG, then the vector content will be lost and rasterized at the document resolution.

P.S. Print ready files can contain embedded fonts, it is just that many print service providers don't wish to accept responsibility for any reprints caused from unforeseen font issues.

[Michelle281096930w9m]

Thank you, this was very helpful 🙂 

[Jumpenjax]

You should have the file saved as psd then export as pdf. The pdf is Ready for printer.

[Lumigraphics]

Please post the instructions that the printer sent you. Unless we know what they want, its tough to give advice.

[NB, colourmanagement net]

@Lumigraphics Please post the instructions that the printer sent you. Unless we know what they want, its tough to give advice.

another vote for that please, the printers instructions will enable properly targeted advice.

neil barstow, colourmanagement net - adobe forum volunteer - co-author: 'getting colour right'
google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

[Michelle281096930w9m]

Hi, it simply said to "convert text to outlines" before sending. That was the instruction. I've sent pdf to printers before for business cards and it's been fine. But have done as instructed above anyway, so hopefully should be sweet, thank you 🙏

[Lumigraphics]

That was it? Nothing about printer's marks, or bleeds, or color profile, or sizes, or file formats, or naming, nothing else? I used to work for a commercial printer and we had specific instructions we sent out to minimize how how time we spend fixing customer files (the owner thought "free typesetting" was a great marketing scheme which meant in practice we did almost everything up to recreating files from scratch.)

As long as fonts can be embedded or the printer has them, converting to outlines can seriously degrade printing quality.