Need Help Please - PSD InDesign (for print)?

Question

Hello Everyone,
I'm a graphic designer for a company that has decided to run some print ads in a magazine. At the time, I only had Photoshop to create their advertisement with. Now they have purchased CS4, which will make my life easier in the future, however, for now I have the problem of creating my advertisement made with Photoshop and creating a print ready PDF.
Here is my problem:
- I created a PSD at 8.5" x 11" at 300ppi
- I did not take in to account for the 0.125" bleeds and 1/8" trim
- It needs to be SWOP compliant (I figured out I can export a PDF that adheres to SWOP)
- Fonts should be Type 1 Postscript, no TTF (I'm using Helvetica and Arial, when I export the PDF, it says the embedded fonts are TTF)
- I'm totally lost with regards for designing work for print!
Here the specs they gave me, AFTER I created the design in Photoshop
====
Full page, full bleed 8.0" 10-3/4" (**I created my PSD as a 8.5" x 11" - without regard to bleeds**)
Include 1/8 bleed over all to ensure full page bleed
and keep live copy 1/4 from trim and crop marks.
CMYK, 4-color process printing only.
Do not add bleed to partial page ads.
All requirements are based on Specifications for Web Offset
Publications (SWOP). Any deviation from these specifications may
result in less-desirable printed results.
We support PDF files generated by Adobe Acrobat using
the X-1A Job Option Settings for Distiller. In order for
prepress to generate printable PDF s, it is important that
the native file is prepared accordingly.
Preparing native files for printable PDF s:
All images/scans must be in CMYK mode,
300 dpi resolution
Use Postscript (Type 1) fonts only. No True
Type, Windows/PC or custom fonts accepted
Embed all fonts
Do not nest EPS files in other EPS files
Four-color solids should not exceed SWOP
density of 280%
Provide two digital color proofs at 100% size, created
from the supplied digital file, on a contract-quality,
digital halftone proofing system in accordance with
SWOP web coated standards (AGFAPressmatch,
Kodak Approval, DuPont Waterproof, etc.). Laser or
inkjet proofs are not considered accurate in color and
are supplied for content confirmation only.
If supplied, the publisher is not responsible for color variances
between the digital file and final color reproduction.
NOTE: If proofs are not supplied, make-goods due to
reproduction quality will not be honored.
====
I've never done print work before, as I'm mainly a graphic designer for the web.
Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated! Unfortunately for me, they bought the advertisement space with the magazine for the running of the next issue before speaking with me. So I'm under extreme pressure to get this underway. I'll be most grateful for any help or guidance, Thanks guys!
- D

Answer 1

You can Place a PSD in Indesign, but unless the bleed is a single color,
it's going to be easier to add bleed in Photoshop. Bleed is whatever
gets cut off when they trim the paper. Trim is close, but not exact, so
whatever picture or color goes to the edge of the paper must extend
beyond the edge to avoid trim including some white when the trim is not
quite perfect. If it's a picture that goes to the edge, you need to
figure out a way to extend the picture beyond the edge. If it's white
that goes to the edge, then you don't need bleed. If it's a non-tone
color field (a single color) then you could Place the PSD in Indesign
and add bleed color behind it and extending beyond the edge of the page.
The magazine should not concern themselves with TT or T1 fonts, either
one should work. That said, Helvetica and Arial are very close. If your
Helvetica is Type 1, just use Helvetica for the whole thing. If you
embed it in the PDF, it should show there as a Type 1 subset.
Kenneth Benson
Pegasus Type, Inc.
www.pegtype.com