Saving files for print

I am designing certain elements in illustrator and then transferring them into Photoshop to add text and other finishing touches - I save the illustrator elements as .eps or .pdf and then open them in Photoshop. I save the final document as .JPEG but when I go to upload it to a professional printing company's web site.... it is saying that the .JPEG file is invalid and cannot be read. I went back into photoshop and saved the file for web but I am afraid that this will lower the quality of the print. How else can I save this document so that it is compatible?

Massively wrong workflow. Use Photoshop for pixel images. Place these into Illustrator and add text and other graphics there.
Finally save as pdf and send the Acrobat file to print.
Remember that a vector file is resolution independent, whereas if you take everything into Photoshop as a last step you are not only nailing down its resolution but also pixelating stuff that should not be pixelated.
It sounds as if you are maybe a web designer who needs to learn a thing or two about preparing artwork for print.

Similar Messages

Need help with saving file for printer

I am using Acrobat 9. I have a document with four pages. I need to save it in two files-- one file with p. 4 and 1 side by side to print on 11 x 17 paper, and the other file with p. 2 and 3 the same. The person printing does not have Acrobat so the pdf itself has to be formatted this way so they can print it. I can rearrange the pages, delete pages, and so forth, but I cannot get them to display side by side except in a "view" option.
Thanks for any help.

Thanks could remember that for nothing

Saving files for metro apps in Windows 8/8.1 when printing

Hi,
I have a query regarding saving files for metro apps Windows 8/8.1.
Metro apps saves the file automatically to the Document folder when we print.
But I would like to save the files into a recommened folder like C:\users\tmp\
Please suggest me, is there a way to save the files to a particular folder for metro apps in Windows 8/8.1.
Thanks in Advance
Regards
Toshik12

As far as I know (and I may be wrong), there's no built-in file saving when printing documents. How are you confirming that?
You can save the file anywhere you want, as long as the user chooses the folder location using the FolderPicker.
Matt Small - Microsoft Escalation Engineer - Forum Moderator
If my reply answers your question, please mark this post as answered.
NOTE: If I ask for code, please provide something that I can drop directly into a project and run (including XAML), or an actual application project. I'm trying to help a lot of people, so I don't have time to figure out weird snippets with undefined
objects and unknown namespaces.

Saving a JPEG file for printing

When saving a JPEG file for printing using Elements9, should one use "baseline standard, optimized or progressive"?

Thanks, Andromeda.... I see that PSE8 Organizer has the ability to update the Caption as you have described. The caption appears in the Description field in the General area and in the Description field in the IPTC area of the image file. I was unable to update the Title or any other fields using Organizer. Looks like PSE8 Editor must be used to update all the metadata fields in the image file. Thus far, the only way I have been able to update the metadata in a JPEG file without having to re-compress it is with a HEX editor. This, however, is a slow process at best. Too bad Organizer or Editor does not provide the abilty to update all fields in the metadata without having to recompress the file. I am not a programmer; however, it would appear to be a fairly straight-forward process. Thanks, again.

Auto preparing file for printing Feature (extension)

do you know extension or plug-in for auto preparing a file for print?
I have a bunch of calling cards, flyers, brochures and etc.,
and I manually setting it up for print over and over again, sometimes I forgot 1 or 2 steps of doing that like missing cutting guides.
now I'm looking for that feature or similar, I know this is not impossible.
I have a idea but I don't know codes.

Hello IanHP8500,
Welcome to the HP Forums.
I see that you're having an issue getting your Officejet 8500 scanning on Windows 8.1. I will do my best to help you with this issue.
Did you upgrade to 8.1 from an older version of Windows?
If so, with it not scanning correctly. You can try just removing the HP Solution Center from programs and features.
Go to the bottom left corner of your screen right click on the Windows icon> go to Control Panel> Go to Programs> uninstall Solution Center if it's listed.
Next, instead of using the printer install wizard. Download the software from this link: HP Officejet Pro Full Feature Software and Driver. Let it run through, it should prompt to " add more software". This should allow you to reinstall Solution Center.
If you run into issues, there is something you may have to do. If you get a file missing error here, or the install hangs check your computer for the following.
McAfee Live Safe - Disable the "Realtime Scanning".
Check for and remove HPOINS*.dat or HPWINS*.dat. Here is a link to a post by JonW on how to do this: Re: installer setup hangs under Windows 8.1.
Try all of this, and let me know how you make out. Thank you for posting on the HP Forums.
I worked on behalf of HP.

Cs6 Save file for Printer company

Question on AI master Parent file, or art brought into another AI file to send to printer?
I've created a flyer (2.83x11) that I can now add 3 to an 8.5x11 sheet to get 3 flyers per sheet. When I save the master flyer (the 2.83x11) I've flattened my text to outlines at 1200 dpi then Rasterized my art to 400 DPi and then saved the file. OK
I then open a new art board 8.625 x 11.13 (for bleed) as I am printing to the edge (border less) I then place my Flyer 3 times across my artboard and when I go to save this to send to Printer here in-lies my question(s)
1. When I save a new artboard with a linked Parent file will that linked info save to the file so that when my (Commercial Printer) opens that AI file. Do I need to bring the linked Parent file with it too on my USB stick? Or will that artboard save all outlines and rasterized art on that 8.65x11 artboard?
Bringing me to a second question
2. When I go to save that new flyer artboard of 8.5x11. I am asked or warned of 72 dpi rasterization of the newly placed flyer which should be saved and then placed at the 1200 and 400 dpi's as mentioned above. Yet I think I should go Effect>Rasterization> High or Other (fill in DPI)
Here is the question if I save that placed Parent, or linked file and then rasterize, choosing 1200 as is the text from the first saved file, it errors and tells me not large enough to rasterize that 1200 dpi. IF I rasterize to say 400 dpi does this NOW affect that sharp text I saved in the linked Parent file of 1200? In other words how do you save that file as it is saved in the master or parent Flyer when placing on an artboard for a commercial printer?
CS6 AI not Cloud.

I'm going to take a stab at answering some if not all of your questions...
Question on AI master Parent file, or art brought into another AI file to send to printer?
-OK, so far.
I've created a flyer (2.83x11) that I can now add 3 to an 8.5x11 sheet to get 3 flyers per sheet. When I save the master flyer (the 2.83x11) I've flattened my text to outlines at 1200 dpi then Rasterized my art to 400 DPi and then saved the file. OK
- Not OK. As already mentioned, there is absolutely no reason to rasterize. Instead, create a file, the 2 x 11 size ( if you want, but not necessary ) and then copy and paste that onto an 8.5x11 and add bleed there. Leave everything live.
I then open a new art board 8.625 x 11.13 (for bleed) as I am printing to the edge (border less) I then place my Flyer 3 times across my artboard and when I go to save this to send to Printer here in-lies my question(s)
1. When I save a new artboard with a linked Parent file will that linked info save to the file so that when my (Commercial Printer) opens that AI file. Do I need to bring the linked Parent file with it too on my USB stick? Or will that artboard save all outlines and rasterized art on that 8.65x11 artboard?
- If there are bitmapped images that are not embedded, then you'd have to forward those onto the printer. Otherwise, the new artboard will have its own raster resolution setting which, in your case, should be set to High Res ( 300ppi ).
Bringing me to a second question
2. When I go to save that new flyer artboard of 8.5x11. I am asked or warned of 72 dpi rasterization of the newly placed flyer which should be saved and then placed at the 1200 and 400 dpi's as mentioned above. Yet I think I should go Effect>Rasterization> High or Other (fill in DPI)
Here is the question if I save that placed Parent, or linked file and then rasterize, choosing 1200 as is the text from the first saved file, it errors and tells me not large enough to rasterize that 1200 dpi. IF I rasterize to say 400 dpi does this NOW affect that sharp text I saved in the linked Parent file of 1200? In other words how do you save that file as it is saved in the master or parent Flyer when placing on an artboard for a commercial printer?
- The final resolution is what you set your "Exported" raster file to. But, as previously mentioned, all of this additional effort is for naught. Your approach is setting up for prepress disaster(s). Who gave you these file prep parameters?
CS6 AI not Cloud.
- Doesn't matter what version you use. Doesn't make any difference. I recommend you get Adobe's Print Publishing Guide. It explains a lot of the information and procedures you will need to know before you proceed any further. Not sure why you did the project the way you did? Explain further.

XML File for "Print Quote"

Hi,
Since we'r doing a customization on the Seeded "Print Quote", Is there any possible way to retrieve the XML file (Source file) for the "Print Quote"?
Thanks in advance,
Muru

Muru,
I too have the same requirement of customising the quote report.
Could you please let me know which approach u are taking, i mean customising the RDF report and its template or the xsl-fo template.
As far as I have understood from the docs, we can either customise the ASOPQTEL.rdf and its layout or customize the seeded xsl-fo ie, ASOPRINT.xsl.
Just an idea, probably you can run the ASOPQTEL.rdf and take the xml output.
Satrajit

Bursting control file for Printer not working in WINDOWS ENVIRONMENT

Hi,
We are trying to print xml publisher report output (PDF) using bursting control file. Is not wokring.
We are using ebs (R12.1.1) on Windows environment.
Any pre-requisite setup (ie. cups config) should be done before printing using control file. Please guide me i am not having knowledge in printer setup and printer part..
Thanks in advance
--Ben

Hi Hussein,
Yes, I am able to print seed concurrent report (o/p -text) to that printer (method:- giving the printer name and copies by clicking " Option " in SRS window.. )
When i do the same for xml publisher publisher report to the same printer , its not working using bursting control file.
I too made the test in xml publisher report without bursting control file , there i faced another new issue. Let me explain
1. We are using RDF as data source . here o/p :-" XML "
2. We are using RTF as layout. In template definition, i chose the default o/p type as :- "HTML"
3. When i submit the request, i choose the printer which is working fine for printing seeded report. (method:- giving the printer name and copies by clicking " Option " in SRS window.. )
4. My printer getting prints HTML tag, instead of desired o/p. I wondered after seeing the printout.
5. I cross checked by clicking view output, its showing me the exact html output as per RTF layout.
Dont know wat happening ??? Help me out.
i did the same for changing default output type in template definition to RTF,PDF.. its printing source code of the output type instead of printing output.
Thanks & Regards,
--Ben

Best way to insert 300dpi photo's into Ilustrator file for print

I am creating a 5.5 X 8 postcard style card for print. I need to place 15 photographs that are aprox. 1.5 X 2.5 each. What is the best way to insert these files so that my file doesn't become too large? I will be making a PDF of the final artwork to send to the printer. Your guidance is much appreciated!!

Link don't embed the images. Use a layered format such as .psd, .tif, or .pdf. Psd is not lossy, .tif can be lossy if you modify the default settings, .pdf you choose how much compression you want, and a small amount of compression can make a much smaller file size.
I would recomend using .psd, in cmyk color space. When you make your pdf for printing is when you will decide how much compression and which pdf preset you will use(press ready or PDF X should be a good choice). That will be your important choice.

Making a PDF X3 file for printing in only 1 colour (black)

Hi,
Sorry but it seems I need again some help.
From InDesign CS 3 I am making (Print to Adobe PDF) a PDF file for a printing house (books and magazines).
I need to do a PDF X3 compatible file, and among other settings it checks that indeed the file has only black, no other colors. I do this trough "Print to Adobe PDF" because while working, my text is colored so that I can more easily identify the styles in use. Then I print with the option "Composite CMYK" and "Text as Black". I also use crop marks.
The problem is is that when checking the PDF X3 compatibility, the crop marks appear as a second color (Registered) so the file is flagged as having problems.
What settings must I use so that the file cheks OK, that it has only black (1 colour) and can be generated by using "print to" and not "export as"?
Thanks for the help,
ionP

Thank you for your suggestion, unfortunately it seems this is not the solution.
I did print as composite gray, before that in "Preferences" I changed the settings to "Printing/Exporting: Output All Blacks as Rich Black". But when checked the conformity to PDF X3 the crop marks are showed as special color (so that I have a PDF with 2 colors).
I also checked with an Acrobat Plug-In, "Quite Revealing", and it shows also 2 colors, Black (which is OK) and Registration (and that is not not OK). It should show only "Black", which it does if I do not put crop marks, but I need the crop marks.
ionP

Need advise on preparing .ai files for print house for labels design

Greetings!
I just got a freelance job to do label design for commercial products (cleaning, food products, etc).
Its a huge task as the company have lots of products in the market and they decided to drop the design
company that were doing the labels for them and hire me to be the main designer.
Since my main work with Illustrator and Photoshop is been for Web Design and screen graphics,
I am not sure how to use Illustrator CS5 the best way for preparing the final files to send to a print house
according to European or US norms, I would like to have some help from other users that maybe are experience with this kind of job.
My main concerns for now are:
1. Should I send .ai or .eps?
2. Pantones or CMYK ? And how to create the artboards that show the measures of the labels and the pantone colors palette
    (I have seen examples on some prints that have show me ), but have no idea if Illlustrator already have a template/tools for that.
3. About the size of the labels, if its a straight shape, like a square, you make the artboard on that size and just put some bleed,
    but since most products labels come in many shapes, how do you work around it?
   Since the artboard can´t have the same shape as the labels , will the white background being print?
4. When using effects like highlights, reflections, especially in Titles, how do you create the pantones for that ?
Hoping to have some help from the community here, you can send me some links, tuts,
everything that can help me to understand all this kind of process, I will be much appreciate.
Thanks!

Some of the following (but not all) repeats, but elaborates on or clarifies what others have said.
First, though: While I certainly don't mean to discourage you, you will be far better off getting started if you realize this:
Designing for commercial-quality print is a hugely different world from designing for the web. You are now dealing with characteristics and limitations of real-world, physical machines, inks, substrates, and many-step workflows. The most tragic (and potentially disasterous) error web-only designers (and their clients) make is naively thinking that moving from web design to print design is a simple lateral move involving nothing more than a few quick answers to a bullet list of questions (CMYK vs. spot, etc., etc.) If you fall into that camp, you are asking for serious and costly trouble.
A user forum like this is a very poor place to educate yourself. Forums like this are populated by more beginners than experts, many of whom are far too eager to post answers. More often than otherwise, answers are--if not downright wrong--not best-practice.
You need to gain a working knowledge of the printing processes with which you wll be dealing. Take a class at the local tech school. Visit the printing houses (and don't carry a designer's chip on your shoulder). Look for any opportunity to get your fingers dirty; offer to do some grunt-work in a press room to gain exposure. Read authoritative books on the subject.
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
f1. Should I send .ai or .eps?
Nowadays, PDF is the preferred delivery format for whole documents. If the printing house is placing the artwork in a program that cannot place PDF as a spot graphic, it is conceivable that they may need EPS. Depends on the printing house's workflow. In print work, you need to communicate with the printing house--and you need to learn to speak their language.
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
2. Pantones or CMYK ?
Don't say "Pantones." Pantone is a company. Say "spot color." Pantone makes both process and spot inks. Pantone is not the only source for spot color. Your question is "spot color or CMYK process." The answer depends on the specific project.
Labels may involve CMYK process, spot colors, or a combination of the two. You can't just add colors to your design willy-nilly. You have to plan and design for it. It depends on the printing budget, the printing capabilitites of the printing house, the printing method, and even the design (which may affect the substrate, which may not be suitable for process).
When designing for print, don't think in terms of colors. Always think in terms of inks, because that's what you're really dealing with. Each time you add an ink, you add a workflow process, and therefore cost. As soon as you add a number of inks in the design that exceeds the number of inkwells on the press on which it will be run, you have just necessitated another press pass.
Labels also commonly involve clear or translucent inks (varnishes), liquid lamination (flood or spot), metallic inks, and/or foils. Each of those count as an additional ink or even a different work process. Sometimes certain inks require drying time after previously-laid inks, which also affects costs.
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
And how to create the artboards that show the measures of the labels and the pantone colors palette
Again, best practice depends on the printing house and its workflow. For example, it can be a no-brainer labor (i.e.; money) savings to gang multiple instances of a label design onto a design page (Artboard) set up to the size of the press sheet.
It can be advantageous to draw die cuts on a separate Layer, also ganged to match the artwork layout. Same may apply to foils, varnishes, and embosses. It's often advantageous to draw trim and fold marks in the bleed area of the page layout. It's often advantageous to add registration marks in a press-sheet layout.
Again, best-practice depends on the project--but the economical and turn-around advantages can be significant.
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
(I have seen examples on some prints that have show me ), but have no idea if Illlustrator already have a template/tools for that.
Whenever you catch yourself thinking "I have no idea if Illustrator..."--read the instructions.
Most graphics programs (including Illustrator) provide options for including basic "printer marks" (trim and registration marks, separation labels) outboard of the page size. That doesn't mean it isn't often advantageous to add your own. For example, the auto printer marks setting will only add one set of trim marks for the whole page. That's pretty useless in a multi-up layout, which is quite common in label design.
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
...but since most products labels come in many shapes, how do you work around it?
Pages (Artboards in Illustrator) are rectangular. One typically provides die cuts (and/or varnishes, foils, embosses, etc., etc.) as elements drawn accurately on a Layer dedicated to the purpose.
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
Since the artboard can´t have the are same shape as the labels , will the white background being print?
There is no "background." This is an object-based program. Where there is no object, there is nothing. By default, even white fills don't mean "white ink"; they mean "no ink." (Remember, think inks, not colors.)
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
4. When using effects like highlights, reflections, especially in Titles, how do you create the pantones for that ?
Illustrator is primarily a vector based drawing program. Vector graphics are by nature and even by definition sharp edged. When vector programs try to provide "soft & fuzzy" features, they do it in either of two ways: either by programmatically creating additional vector paths and parameters (blends, grads, mesh grads), or by resorting to creation of non-vector "effects" (raster images). Whether such features correctly handle spot colors depends on the feature, and even on the version of the program.
So whenever working with spot color--in any program--you have to stay consciously aware of what you are actually doing (what kind of objects you are creating) when you apply such features. That's why it does no good in a user forum to speak of nebuous designerly terms like "highlights" when you ask technical questions. In order to get a correct answer, you ultimately have to state the kind of objects you are dealing with (and feature, and version, etc.).
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
1. PDF?? I only use .pdf to show the client the designs before approval but never as final file...also I have heard from some many places that if the print house needs to open the file on a different design program the best is to send them .eps
PDF is a delivery format. As such, it is very versatile. Design comps is only one of its many uses. But PDF is not meant to be an editable format. When you deliver a PDF that was created by Illustrator and which is fully editable on the receiving end, you are really embedding in the file a full second version of the file as native AI content. Whether this AI-native content is included is controlled by you when you export the PDF.
Editing PDFs that do not have the AI-native content embedded can be very cumbersome and problematic. Again: PDF is a delivery format, not an editing format. Ideally, the printing house should not have to edit your press-ready files. It is supposed to be up to you to build them correctly. That should be your goal.
I expressly forbid printing houses from editing my delivery files. If an edit is needed, it comes back to me, and I make the edits. If a printing house chooses to edit one of my files without permission--and a problem result--they eat it; not me.
Yes, yes, if print-side minor editing (like the afore-mentioned ingredients boilerplate scenario) is part of the established workflow, that's fine; its assumedly been agreed upon as the cost-efficient workflow. But generally speaking, the kind of designer who routinely relies upon the printing house as a "safety measure" to fix his files is...well...exactly the kind of designer I would not hire.
By the way: Hearing something "from many places" (especially in online user forums) in this business is no indication of correctness or best-practice. Quite often, the most-cited advice is the bad advice. Case-in-point: The ever-cited myth that everything for print should be rasterized to 300 ppi. 300 ppi is usually needless oversampling. This is especially true in reference to mere raster effects like those controlled by Illustrator's Document Raster Effects Resolution setting. 300 ppi is almost never needed for the most common uses of such effects: blurry drop shadows, glows, etc., etc. "Fuzzy" is the very purpose of those effects. All you have to concern yourself about is the potential for visible pixelation, which is directly tied to halftone ruling.
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
...what I was mention is to be able create like a table where you list the pantones use, same time to put measures guides on the artboard itself, is this possible to do in illustrator?
Again, separation names are included in the Printer Marks option of the Print Dialog. See the documentation. Depending upon your delivery format and workflow, the printing house may not even use Illustrator's printer marks; they may use those in one of their prepress programs.
But you should always check the seps before sending a press-ready file. You can do this in AI's print dialog, or in Acrobat Pro. Regardless, it's your job to make sure the project color-separates correctly. It is very common to "finish" a job thinking you have been very careful and everything is right. It is just as common to preview the seps and find an object on the wrong separation plate, or knocking out something it shouldn't, or overprinting something it should knock out.
(There's also the whole matter of trapping, which this thread has yet to mention.)
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
...imagine I have a label that is a star with 200x200 px, and the artboard is white background with 300x300px,
I will add (with as much force as I can muster) my admonition to that which has already been given: when talking about actual, physical measure, forget about the web. Forget about Photoshop's rulers. Forget about pixels. A pixel is not a unit of measure. If you think it is, tell me: How big, in inches, is a pixel? I might as well ask you "how high is up?"
If you tell a printing house that the trim size of your document is 600 by 1200 pixels, he will (and should) laugh at you.
function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
if I print the artboard on my laser printer I get the label with the background also, so how does the print house manage to
not have the background of the artboard when they print?
If you print the artboard on your laser printer, you do not "get the background." Think about it: Do you have any white toner in your laser printer? (Think inks, not colors.)
All the above is offered in a spirit of helpfulness (and some tongue-in-cheek jest). Take it as such. Bottom line, though--and this is not meant to be the least bit insulting--unless the company you have just contracted with is a small mom & pop shop and/or has very basic labeling projects, it really sounds as if you are already in well over your head. I am certainly not saying any of this is rocket science. It isn't. A dedicated person can learn its ins-and-outs in relatively short time if that time is well spent. But an online user forum is a very error-prone, incomplete, inefficient, and therefore poor way to learn it. It doesn't sound like you have that much time to waste.
JET

Dunning letters in one file for print

Hi,
Dunning letter is generated individually per customer in the spool.
Is it possible to get a single file for all the customers' dunning lettter.
For ex. If we run for 100 customers I need a single spool with 100 pages instead of 100 letters.
Kindly advice.
Thanks,
kumar

Hi,
see the link below :
http://web.mit.edu/CAO/www/SB2002/AR/F150.htm
SKS

Help with exporting file for print

Hello,
I'm trying to print a banner through Spoonflower (a site that lets you print on fabric). They recommend an RGB, 150dpi file. (max 58" wide x 288" long, 40MB) and accept a wide variety of file types (ai, svg, eps, tif, png, jpeg).
My banner is rather large, at 50" wide x 236" long. The artwork was created in Illustrator, and consists of 2 colors with flat, line illustrations; no gradients, linked files, etc. File is about 1 MB. Because of Illustrator's canvas size limitations (227.5"), I set up my final artwork at half size (25" x 118" @ 300dpi) with the intention of scaling it in Photoshop to full size @ 150dpi.
Unfortunately, when I try to open the AI, EPS or PDF file directly in Photoshop, it compresses the artwork to 22.6" x 106.67" (from 25" x 118" - no idea why) and this throws off the layout of the banner, which is designed to fit a very specific framework. It means my artwork, when at 150dpi, is only 45" wide (I need it to be 50").
Next I tried exporting as a jpeg but keep getting the following error: 'The file could not be written due to error.'
When trying to export to PNG, I get this error: 'Could not complete the operation. The rasterized imag exceeded the maximum bounds for saving to the PNG format'.
I am at a total loss for how to proceed and would be so terribly appreciative if anyone could provide some insight...perhaps how to prevent the files from shrinking when rasterized by PS, how to actually save as a jpeg, png, or just a better way to go about this whole process altogether. What am I missing??
And of course, I needed to send this to the printer today to meet deadline...sigh.

If the site accepts .ai or .eps files why are you trying to move to a raster format at all?

Preparing files for printer - no CM requested, image resizing

Using InDesign CS3 504, on Mac OSX 10.6.
I'm approaching the end of preparing a 40pp A4 magazine for a client. In about one week I'll be submitting my file to the printers who are UK based (I am UK based, too). I'm looking for the best set up to help them get things done accurately and efficiently.
My printers have requested that there be no Colour Management. I'm used to working with CM through CS, so I'm not certain what to do in this case.
Here's what I've done so far:
All colour swatches used are CMYK Process
All images are CMYK/Grayscale and have been saved with no colour profile
InDesign still has CM turned on - I have read that 'Emulate InDesign CS2 CM off' doesn't really switch it offAll images that get brought into InDesign show the colour profile from my InDesign CM in the Info palette (Euroscale Coated v2)
I also need to Export to PDF for them. What's the best setting for me to use for this? Should I be choosing 'No Colour Conversion' and 'Don't Include Profiles'?
I also don't understand if I need to resize my images to 300dpi at 100% size used (the printer's requested resolution for actual size output). This would be a relatively small job though, as there aren't that many pics. If I do this, would I Export to PDF with no Image Compression?
Thanks.

I'm going to give you my 2 cents worth here.
First, you don't need to size the images in Photoshop, you just need to be sure that the "effective resolution" that you see in the info panel is at least 300 ppi. If it's much more, downsampling at export is appropriate, if it's a lot less you need a larger image to start -- upsampling in Photoshop isn't going to improve things. 200-225 ppi is the lowest I'd be comfortable with for commercial grade offset, but it depends on the paper and linescreen.
As far as color management, you are correct, emulate CS2 CM Off is not a good way to work. My impression form what you've posted is that the printer wants no clor profiles embedded in your files to avoid the possibility of having his RIP do a color conversion that would do something bad, like make your 100% K type a 4-color mix.
There are several ways to approach this. The best, in my opinion, is to find out what the correct output space is going to be. Assign that as the working space in the document. Native objects and untagged imports will be treated as being in that space. Imports with embedded profiles will their colors adjusted to maintain the appearance in the tagged sapce, as closely as possible. I think this is better for photos, since I want them to look correct, and they don't have 100% single channel colors that will cause a problem, so I always embed the profile in photographs, and I have my color management policy set to preserve profiles.
On the other hand, vector logos, may want to be printed with the same mix of ink all the time, regardless of the color profile, especially if they have black type or strokes, so I tend not to embed profiles in those when saving. They will be interpreted then as being in the working space.
At export you can then either leave colors unchanged (if there is no RGB), or choose the working space as the target profile, and your CMYK values will be preserved. Do not embed profiles in the PDF.
If you have the wrong working space you can expect some color shifting on press.
Next best would be to work in whatever working space you think is correct and picking convert to to profile (preserve numbers) and choosing the correct target when you find out what it is. In that scenario any native objects and untagged imported images will be treated as if they are already in the destination space and the numbers will be unchanged. If your photos or linked graphics have embedded profiles, those profiles will be honored and converted to the destination. This should give you the same result as the first method, but puts off the need to know the output space until export.
My main reason for preferring the first method is that the screen preview is going to reflect the working space, so if that matches the destination you'll get a better idea of what's going on.

Is there a way to package a file for print? Also help on die cut settings?

Hello!
I've gotten myself in a bit over my head, I work at a very small company. I am the only one with design experience, and being somewhat fresh out of college, until this job I've had no print experience. So everytime I send something to them, I learn something new. Typically the files I send originate in InDesign though.
I have designed a rectangle sign with a triangle at the top, and so I am preparing the file to be sent to the printer for a die cut. I reached out to them and asked how to prepare it, and the response was very short "Draw your shape, make an overprint rule where you want it to cut. Extend bleed beyond the cut lines." But I wasn't quite sure i understood so I searched, and I created a die cut layer that is the shape of the cutout completely filled in a bright color not found anywhere on the document itself. Is that correct?
Secondly, there is text, so I wanted to package the file just as I would in InDesign. Typically I send a pdf, but not sure a pdf would work with this since the red covers the area needing to be printed. So thus why I wanted to package the file to go in case I haven't prepared it correctly for them.
Should It have just been a stroke and not filled in?
Sorry so long-but I try to explain thoroughly from the get-go. Thanks for any help!

SReigel:
A little after the fact, but here are a couple more tidbits for you!
Illustrator doesn't have a Package function like InDe. (Unfortunately!)
If you don't have any placed images in your file, you can convert all the text to outlines and send a native Illustrator file, or a vector EPS, or whatever vector file-type your vendor prefers.
There's an app out there called Art Files that will collect fonts and images a la InDe's Package. It's inexpensive, and I believe it has a fully functional trial if you only need it for one or two files.
Hope it all turned out well.
Regards,
D.

Saving files for print

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