Create spot color pdf for press

I work in a small print shop with aging pressroom equipment. I was able to send directly from my old Mac to the press from InDesign or photoshop and use the color separations dialog. In order to upgrade Adobe I need to upgrade the Mac and if we do that I loose compatablity with the pressroom. I will be able to print via pdf to the press room. How do I send files that are not CMYK? My only thought so far is create ID files with layers for each plate and change everything to black, creating separate pdfs with layers turned off. Is there a better way? That would mean have two color logos aligned on two layers, etc. which is not ideal. it would also mean creating a true color file for client proofs and then changing it all to black for press, Again, no ideal.

PDF/X-4 is an ISO printing standard. It is Adobe's recommendation for all printing.
Press Quality produces PDF with live transparency, but all colors are (prematurely) converted to a particular CMYK color space with no ICC profiles (spot colors can be preserved depending upon your Ink Manager settings). You are effectively locked into a particular CMYK printing condition. We do not recommend this!
High Quality Print maintains transparency and some color management. By default it does no color conversions - that's great - but it also doesn't provide all the source profiles by default, only those of placed content that have such profiles associated with them. You could change this to include all color profiles, in which case you are only a small step away from PDF/X-4.
Again, we most strongly recommend PDF/X-4.
- Dov

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Creating spot color in Illustrator CS4 js

Hi,
I need to create spot color in Illustrator CS4 with js, with assigned name and color values. Here what I have:
myColor = myDoc.spots.add({name:"FOIL", colorValue:[10, 0, 100, 0]});
But it comes out as process instead of spot and the color is not assigned.
Thank you for your help.
Yulia

the add function has no parameters, you have to add them after
addSpot ('FOIL', 10, 0, 100, 0);
function addSpot(name, c, m, y, k) {
    try {
        swatch = app.activeDocument.swatches[name]; // if swatch exists....
        addSpot (name+='1', c, m, y, k); // ...add 1 to swatch name
    catch (e) {
        var newSpot = app.activeDocument.spots.add();
        newSpot.name = name;
        var newColor = new CMYKColor();
        newColor.cyan = c;
        newColor.magenta = m;
        newColor.yellow = y;
        newColor.black = k;
        newSpot.colorType = ColorModel.SPOT;
        newSpot.color = newColor;
        var newSpotColor = new SpotColor();
        newSpotColor.spot = newSpot;

I hired a commercial artist to create a color image for the cover of a self published book. I want a black and white image for the inside. The commercial artist has not responded to this request. How do I determine the format of the color image, I'm guess

I hired a commercial artist to create a color image for the cover of a self published book. I want a black and white image for the inside. The commercial artist has not responded to this request. How do I determine the format of the color image, I'm guessing it's Illustrator's formatting but I don't know. How can I find out if Illustrator will open the file and allow alterations? The image opens only in Apple's Pages software?

rons,
It seems that all you have is a raster image, presumable PNG24 or JPEG, in RGB.
It may have been created as raster artwork in Photoshop, or it may have been created as vector artwork with the help of Illy, or as a mixture of vector and raster artwork in either application, or both combined.
If you just need to have a raster representation in black and white based on the current colour image, you may try this, in a new RGB document (View>Smart Guides are your friends):
1) File>Place the image (you may tick Link or untick and have it embedded);
2) Create a rectangle with black fill (R = G = B = 0), at least as large as the image, and place it behind the image (you may ClickDrag with the Rectangle Tool between opposite corners, then Ctrl/Cmd+X+B);
3) Select all and in the Transparnecy palette flyout click Make Opacity Mask with both Clip and Invert Mask ticked.

Thumbnail for Lab Spot Color PDF incorrect.

The thumbnail for a Lab spot color in a PDF shows up as black. It is also black when viewed in Preview.
-nt

PDF/X-4 is an ISO printing standard. It is Adobe's recommendation for all printing.
Press Quality produces PDF with live transparency, but all colors are (prematurely) converted to a particular CMYK color space with no ICC profiles (spot colors can be preserved depending upon your Ink Manager settings). You are effectively locked into a particular CMYK printing condition. We do not recommend this!
High Quality Print maintains transparency and some color management. By default it does no color conversions - that's great - but it also doesn't provide all the source profiles by default, only those of placed content that have such profiles associated with them. You could change this to include all color profiles, in which case you are only a small step away from PDF/X-4.
Again, we most strongly recommend PDF/X-4.
- Dov

Hairline white line around images in PDF for press

CS3, Windows XP
I searched the forum and didn't find this exact question, so..., I place PSD file in ID. When I export to PDF for the press run, I get a thin hairline white box around the photo. It only seems to happen when the placed image is over a gradient. It also only happens on PDF files for press run - either Press Quality or PDF/X-1a:2001. When I export to "Smallest File Size" it looks fine. I have the border of the image set to 0 and the color to None.
And it only seems to happen sometimes. A month or so ago I created a similar piece using different photos, but the same gradient background and it looked and printed fine.
Thoughts?
JAG

The stitching and a grey box was showing up on my press proofs. The printer suggested that I flatten the image before I send it to them.
Sometimes I see in on screen and sometimes I don't, but my printer says they see it every time and that it will show up on the proof. I've been trying several different PDF exporting options in ID. We are getting the proofs done correctly, but there's only one guy at my printer that can get the file corrected. I'm not sure exactly what he is doing, but one of the people I deal with suggested that he was opening the file in PS, flattening it again, and exporting to PDF, again.
He's the boss and not alway around, so I'm trying to figure out how I can get file exported correctly.
Thanks for your help.
JAG

How to create seperate color channel for print of illustrator document

Hi,
I need to print a document with partial UV-spots, and cannot figure out how to make my Illustrator document ready for print!
The online print center guides me to:
create a 'seperate print channel' for the specific elements in my document i want covered, with either a '5th color or a special color' set for 'over-print and 100% color'.
Can anyone help?
Thank you!

Draw the spots you want to use and fill them with a spot color.

How do I create an accessible PDF for Thesaurus with many chapters, from InDesign CS 5.5 and Acrobat

Hi folks,
I have redesigned a Thesaurus (controlled vocabulary for an Agency's archives) in InDesign CS 5.5. I am now preparing an accessible PDF from the many files (using a Book created in InDesign). The front cover, front matter and back cover are not part of the Book, to keep the page numbering simple.
The Book includes two main sections, an Alphabetical display and a Hierarchical display of terms and their relations. I created chapters per alphabet listings, i.e. Alphabetical Display A, B, C, etc. So there are over 50 chapters, including cover, front matter, etc.
I've successfully made the front cover and front matter PDFs after viewing videos here: http://tv.adobe.com/watch/accessibility-adobe/preparing-indesign-files-for-accessibility/ and downloading and using this recommended Action for Acrobat: InDesign CS5_5 Accessibility Touchup.sequ
Several questions specific to this project don't seem to be addressed in the videos, however.
First, I'd like to know if I can create an accessible PDF using the Book function > Export Book to PDF. Or do I need to make a PDF per chapter? The book has over 50 chapters (by alphabet, twice), so creating them one by one will take a lot more time, but I'll do it if that's the best practice.
After creating the PDFs, if I use (in Acrobat): Create > Combine Files into PDF to make one full PDF (over 600 pages BTW), will the final PDF retain accessibility settings? Do I need to run the Accessibility Report again for the combined PDF?
I used InTools.com Power Headers plugin to add a page header that automatically shows the new first term used per page. So, one chapter (with Chapter Title as H1) will have a different page header (which will be H2) per page, however the text flows through the whole chapter. I don't see where to add the page headers to the Article Window in InDesign. Do I add in this order: H1, H2, text (for whole chapter), H2, H2, H2, etc. Will I need to work on the PDF in Acrobat, where pages will be shown, in order to get the correct H2 with the correct text on the page? Am I missing something?
Will I have any issues with Bookmarks that requires a specific workflow?
I think that's about it, though I might run into more questions as I progress through the project.
Thanks, Marilyn

I understand why you need updated running headers in your book. To a sighted reader these serve as a guide to where you are and help you find things quickly. In addition, if you are exporting your data to XML or HTML from the tagged PDF it would also be important to have these in the proper location.
But for accessibility purposes, it doesn't have to be there because the screen reader reads everything in linear order, line by line. No one is looking at the page. A user listening to the screen reader read the page is going to hear this heading, just before the actual word itself. So they will hear the first word on the page twice. It's not the end of the world if it's there, but such headings are not necessary for accessibility unless they are not repetitive and contain information that is not otherwise available.
So I would say, fine if you need them or want them there, it's just one word.
I think you should try exporting your book to PDF (or even just a chapter of the book) and look at the tags panel in Acrobat to see if you are getting the result you want. I can't tell you exactly what you should do to get those results, you are using a plug-in I don't have.
I can tell you I didn't have to add the headers to any article at all, they just automatically export if the other articles in the file are added and you don't select the header style option "not for export as XML."
You may not experience the same results with your plug-in, but I think it will probably work the same way.
Give it a try and best of luck.

Create text editable PDF for client to edit in Adobe Reader

I would like to create a PDF from either Illustrator or InDesign so that my client can edit just the text in the document using Adobe Reader as necessary (for flyers and business cards etc). I want to set the file up in Illustrator or InDesign so all text is laid out properly where I have the proper tools to do so, rather than using the Acrobat form tool and guessing measurement/layout etc. I have tried exporting to PDF from both programs and then using Acrobat Pro's form feature but it won't recognise any of the fields. I am using CS4 and Acrobat Pro 9 and am unsure if my software is too old to complete these tasks or if I am doing it incorrectly. I have seen it done in plenty of places so I know it is possible, I'm just not sure how.
Here are some links showing examples of what I am trying to do:
Using an e.m.papers Wedding Invitation Template.mp4 - YouTube
How to use an e.m.papers printable RSVP template.mp4 - YouTube
So, basically any advice on the following would be greatly appreciated:
How do I make text editable in Adobe Reader (from an Illustrator or InDesign file)?
How can I easily put the same design onto the same page (eg 8 business cards on an A4 page with crop marks) multiple times so that if I need to change the design slightly, it will change the design on all of them?
How can I make the PDF like it is in the YouTube videos, so that when you edit one "product/design", it will edit all on the page?
Or, how can I create a file of multiple business cards on the one page where they can have a different employees details on each card?
This is my first time using this forum so if you require any further information, please let me know. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

that's filling in a form, not editing: Create fillable PDF forms | Acrobat
<moved from Adobe Creative Cloud to Creating, Editing & Exporting PDFs>

Creating Spot color in InDesign CS4, js

Hi,
I have this code:
try{
myColor = myDoc.colors.item("EMBOSS");
myName = myColor.name;
catch (e){
myColor = myDoc.colors.add({name:"EMBOSS", model:ColorModel.SPOT,
colorValue:[100, 0, 0, 0]});
But the color created still process. How do I change it to spot color.
Thank you.

Never mind, it's working. I just had old colors still not deleted.

Best Way to Export PDF for Press w/ Grayscale Images

Hi, we've been trying to move to a PDF based workflow for sending files to printers if possible so that all color conversion can take place at the final step of creating the PDF. This way, all images can remain RGB in their native color space.
But I just had to create a PDF that had a mix of images in it. Some were typical RGB, some had already been converted to CMYK (probably US SWOP), and some were true grayscale images.
When I created the PDF, I set it to convert all colors to the destination profile, which in this case was just US SWOP because the printer didn't have a more specific profile to suggest (most don't). It appears that the images converted properly, but the the grayscale images are using just the K channel (which I suppose is to be expected).
A while back we printed a fully grayscale piece where all images were converted to a specially created SWOP profile that had modified GCR curves to have most of the data still represented by the black channel, but with some nice CMY thrown in as the tones deepened. The result was amazing. The images had no color cast, but were a nice rich grayscale. The printer was very impressed as well.
A) So what would be the best workflow to incorporate mixed color images, and still have the grayscale images turn out nice & rich? Do I have to convert all images manually first (trying to avoid having to do this)?
B) If the printer doesn't offer a profile, and probably doesn't fully understand or utilize color management, are we best to supply the PDF file converted to US Web Coated SWOP because that is what THEY would be most used to getting? This job, however, will be sheet-fed on a matte paper with a satin AQ.
THANKS! Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Trying to refine our workflow here.

jethrodesign wrote:
I would love to learn more about how to choose an InDesign working color space when you don't know the end printer (or if the end printer is clueless); how to deal with Illustrator native files that will be placed in InDesign (RGB? CMYK? Embedded profile?); how to deal with pre-existing elements that may be in the wrong CMYK color space; and possibly the option of taking color management into your own hands if the printers aren't knowledgeable; etc.
If the printer cannot provide an ICC, maybe they can state what print standard they use (GRACoL, SWOP). If you know that and the paper type, use your best judgement in selecting an ICC. Look to the IDEAlliance website, there are 2 SWOP profiles and one GRACoL profile that are good to use for coated stocks.
As far as mixing existing CMYK with RGB, opinions may be varied. Let's say you have a job, moving to Coated GRACoL 2006. You place RGB images, US Web Coated SWOP v2 CMYK images, US Web Coated SWOP v2 Illustrator, and custom GCR CMYK rich black images.
When these are placed into the GRACoL InDesign document, the default behavior is to preserve CMYK numbers. The GRACoL CMYK is assigned to all of the placed CMYK content.
Now you output a PDF with the settings you described earlier. PDF/X-4, Convert to Destination, Document CMYK (GRACoL). Even though you had US Web and GCR originally, in the PDF it is all Device CMYK (when output from ID CS4). Furthermore any user must assume that all CMYK is GRACoL, because that is the Output Intent. Also, if the GRACoL is a decent representation of the print condition, you can soft proof everything accurately in Acrobat (and InDesign for that matter).
If this PDF gets handed off to the printer, his duty is to RIP the CMYK and preserve numbers. The only number shifts will occur at the plating stage via plate calibration curves, which is not an ICC conversion.
If a CMYK - CMYK conversion is necessary, the printer must get you on the phone and let you know that he is re-converting all your CMYK content. For him to do that without informing you is, well, nuts. You've already done the conversion yourself. Every conversion is (technically) damaging,
Now assume that you output PDF/X-4 with no conversion. In that case, you have RGB and CMYK coexisting in the PDF output. Again, all CMYK should pass through the print RIP with numbers preserved. All RGB would be converted to the Output Intent already present in your PDF. If there is something wrong with that Output Intent, it's the printer's duty to get you on the phone and let you know. I say that because you, as a designer, have already soft proofed everything in the job in the GRACoL color space. If the printer wants to switch horses mid stream, he's got to let you know. (Side note – a printer taking a ownership of a special CMYK - CMYK conversion is highly unlikely. If they had a shop CMYK, they would have given it to you in the first place).
In summary – it is the print industry standard to preserve incoming CMYK numbers. If a client gives me a job full of US Web Coated SWOP v2, I can't very well treat that the same as incoming RGB and start converting to a different CMYK. CMYK is already cooked. If you re-cook it it stands to get burned. The only time CMYK-CMYK is warranted is (a) when Total Ink Limit is a factor (uncoated) or (b) the color is so far off on the proof that re-cooking only stands to help it.
What I WILL do is tell the client that they may get a better print result if they either supply RGB with no predetermined CMYK destination (I convert to press CMYK), or they use a different CMYK that more accurately describes the print condition.
Message was edited by: Printer_Rick

I would like to create a fillable pdf for my employees that are using the ipad

I need to have my employees turn in forms/reports on a daily basis so I would like to create these forms where they could enter the input but are not able to alter the form (Adobe calls this a "fillable pdf")on the ipad and then be able to email it to me. Any ideas on a good app

PDF Reader Pro Edition says that it can handle PDF forms and allows emailing of documents:
http://itunes.apple.com/app/pdf-reader-pro-edition-for/id364502063?mt=8
I haven't tried it myself but it's gotten good ratings. You would create the forms on your computer using Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Regards.

Can I use Acrobat to create an editable PDF for client's bids?

Hey all,
I recently created a website for a client who sends out hundreds of bids a year in the form of a PDF. They are interested in designing an editable template and I'm at a loss.
Certain areas need to be changed for each bid (bids are around 100 pages each with details about each project). Do any of you know if there is a way to set up a PDF template that can be edited - with pages being added and removed - like a word document?
Will they need a copy of Acrobat, or can I create an editable, stand-alone document that can be saved and resaved as needed?
Otherwise the only thing I can think to do would be to create a nice template and force it into a Word doc as best as I can so he can make changes for each different bid...
I would really appreciate some guidance on this one. I'm not sure how to proceed.
Thanks!

While Acrobat can do minor touchups (correcting a typo, shifting the position of something on a page, etc.) it cannot perform major rework and doesn't understand the idea of document-level reflow.
PDF files are not designed to be editable like a word processor document. It's an end-destination format; you make changes in the original application and re-export a new PDF.

How To Create Printer Spreads PDF for Saddle Stitch Booklet?

I need to output a PDF in printer spread format for a saddle stitch booklet from InDesign.
After installing CS5 Master Suite on my upgraded Mac OS X 10.6.2 MacBook I can't figure out how to do that though.
Has anyone figured this out?
Thanks,
DAN

That's why I qualified it... "practically identical". Replace "Adobe PDF" with "Postscript File" and I found that it got me 90% of the way there so Eugene's point about it helping someone else with a similar need rang true in my case. I was already aware of the lack of the PDF Printer in SL, so that was moot detail for me. But that's the beauty of a an open forum IMO: even if you didn't find it helpful I don't think he should be discouraged or chastened for his effort because it helped me and could undoubtedly help others too.
Also, as an aside specific to the Adobe forums, even though I am not remotely as prolific a poster as some folks, I have frequently found resolutions to Mac questions in Windows threads and vice versa. Personally, I also don't find it terribly clear which flavor of a given software's forum I happen to be in when coming in cold from a Google search or the like... eg. Sure, one should read the OP thoroughly, but if you were just scanning and trying to help, simply looking at the top of this very thread there is quite literally no indication of whether this is a Mac or Windows InDesign question:
"I've seen this question asked many times for both Windows and Macs"... me too, and I think every bit of info to troubleshoot it and crowdsource solutions can only help. Even if we don't all have the luxury of dealing with "modern printers."

MS Publisher pdf to spot color press

I have clients that keep bringing in supposed press-ready documents created by MS publisher and want them printed on a two color press! The Publisher document is converted to pdf on a PC and then sent to me on a Mac using CS3 to prepare for press. What is the right way to deal with this??? I have tried spot channels in Photoshop (not good for body copy) and cutting and pasting to layers that I convert all to black and turn on and off in Illustrator but there seems to be no way around the pixelation--the press operator always complains about the dot pattern instead of clean text. (We also often have font issues I'd welcome tips on--will Publisher even convert to outline?) I don't know if Illustrator is the right forum/software but it seems the best option when opening most pdfs for press without rasterizing the text.

You should chareg them for all your time doing additoanl work to make these press ready.
You can open a PDF in Illustrator and if they saved this as press ready then you should get alot of useful vector paths. Editing PDFs in Illustrator can be a time consuming nightmare, as you may have to rebuild drop shadows or get really complex groupings to sift through.
You may have more luck posting on a MS Publisher forum, but ofcourse let your client know that working with a low end software LIke SM Pub can save them money on software cost, but if they do a lot of this then they will pay more in the end for prepress production.
My sympathies go to you for the nastiness, but alteast you may get alot of billableel work form this.

Why does "Print Booklet" from Indesign CS5.5 only create low res pdf? How do I get High Res for Offs

Long time ID user in Agency. Created a simple 4 page brochure in CS5.5 ID. Facing pages for cust size 11x17 half fold document.
Generating the pdf for Press and HQ Print renders a nice high res document, but the print booklet feature only produces a skinny low res version. Tried to mess with the printer settings, but the result is the same with a skinny low res document.
I didn't want to recreate the brochure as a two page manually imposed as I like the option of being able to add more pages in increments of four of course. Plus it's just silly to do that when ID is supposed to handle it for me.
I worked around it this time by printing to .ps output then distilling, and then splitting the document so printer could have a "front" and "back" 11x17. But this seems kludged big time. This has to be a bug unless I am missing something.

You probably never changed the default settings in the PDF printer properties. In the print booklet dialog, click the Print Settings button, then the Setup button at the bottom of the Print Dialog that pops up, choose the PDF printer and click on Preferences. Reset the default reset the default settings to the ones you really want to use, or reset them in Windows... Control Panel > Devices and Printers... Double-click the PDF printer, then from the print queue dialog, Printer > Properties... General tab and clcik the Preferences button.

Create spot color pdf for press

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