Complete Steps for preparing an ad for Professional Publication

[trinityc@adobeforums.com]

I have asked several questions and have gotten several different answers. I know that there are many ways to "skin a cat". I have no intention of EVER skinning a cat, but I would be THRILLED to get this right!!!

I welcome the steps to preparing a file/ad to submit to a professional magazine/printer (files will be zipped and uploaded).

If you could give me the steps you take, that would be great.

What I am missing so far:
1. The process of "including the fonts". What else do I need to do to include the fonts with the files other than checking "include document fonts".

2. Making the lines invisible around text boxes

1. Set artboard size
2. Set Image Area
3. Place EPS images
4. Instert Text
5.
6.
7.
8.
..
..
..

Thanks!

[Jonathan_McClintic@adobeforums.com]

Step one. Contact the vendor, and find out their capabilities. They may want Illustrator 8 compatable, or may want PDF or may want EPS or they may take Indesign CS or Quark files. Check to find out. Second step. All bitmaps need to be at least 300 dpi for web press. Third step, when in doubt on fonts, outline. ??? Lines invisible around text box??? Not sure on that one. They usually are. Art board size is entirly determined by the final output. Just remember that a bleed is usually 1/8th of an inch around your final artwork. Oh before I forget, design your work in CMYK, not RGB, and when contacting the vendor, see if they use a specific color settings, some may know, but not all do, but it is important if you want the most consistant color. There may be even more issues, like make sure that the graphics are imbedded, etc. Too many to really get into, but communication with the vendor can easily prevent many of them.

Jonathan

[trinityc@adobeforums.com]

All of the items you covered, I am familiar with.

And specs will vary. My area of concern is saving with fonts. When I choose "include document fonts" is that all I need to do or should I then send the actual font files.

When I place the graphics, do I then need to send the individual images with the file or does Illustrator do that automatically.

What are the actual numbered steps to preparing the final file, assuming that all of the client requirements are met.

[Philip_Peterson@adobeforums.com]

1) fonts: I'd recommend converting the fonts to outline before sending it out to be printed. Of course you'd keep a backup copy with the fonts as fonts.

2) placed images: It depends. Are you embedding them, or linking them? If you are embedding them, they are included, and if you are linking them, then you have to send the linked files too, though my expericne has been when people send illustrator files with links, about 85% of the time they forget to send the linked file.

3) Steps: As Jonathan said, it really depends on the printer.

[trinityc@adobeforums.com]

If fonts are converted to "outlines" do I still need to send the fonts separately?

When I choose "include document fonts" is that all I need to do or should I then send the actual font files separately?

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I am new to Illustrator (Web Designer) and all I do is "place" the image. I don't know of any other way to add images.

If I place the images, do I still need to include the individual image that I "placed".

Is placed considered "embedding" or "linked" or either?

[Karen_C@adobeforums.com]

Converting fonts to outlines means that you do not include fonts with your file when sending. All images must be embedded not linked.
Check in your links palette whether any images are there. If they are then they are not embedded. Select and embed them.
Always save a copy of your file before doing this.

Most newspapers and magazines prefer PDF to the 3DADP guidlines as listed at <http://www.3dap.com.au/3dapv2.htm>

The distiller settings are available for download from that page.

Check with each individual printer/magazine as to what their specs are. They are all different.

Preparing for print is indeed an entirely different set of conditions to web design and takes a bit of getting used to.

Colours must also be Gray for mono or CMYK not RGB.

[Mike_Hazlip@adobeforums.com]

Converting fonts to outlines turns the letters into shapes so no, you would not need to include any font files if you choose to do this. Just FYI though, once a string of text is converted to outlines, there is no way to go back and edit that string without re typing it. As a rule, always convert any text in a logo to outlines.

There should be two little check boxes in the "Place" dialogue box that read "Link" and "Template". If the "Link" box is checked then the graphic will not be embedded with the file and will need to be sent separately. If "Link" is not checked, then the file will be embedded. "Template" is something altogether different that I don't want to confuse this issue with right now.

HTH :)

[trinityc@adobeforums.com]

Thanks Mike and everyone!!!

I'm getting there...

One last thing. I would like to embed the images, put when I click place, "Link" is seleceted and grayed out. So I can make a choice it seems. I can selecet "Template" or "Replace"

Is there somewhere else I go to set this option?

I've been searching through the help utility and can't find anything.

[trinityc@adobeforums.com]

Thanks Mike and Everyone!

Almost there...

I would like to go ahead and embed the images. From what I gather from the HELP UTILITY OF ILLUSTRATOR:

1. When I go to the "Link Palette", choose the "Linked Image" and try to choose "Embed" from the "Link Palette Menu" - "Embed" is grayed out.

2. When I try to "place" the image and deselecet "Linked", "Linked" is grayed out and my only choices are "Template" and "Replace".

Any ideas?

I really appreciate your help!

[genvicki@adobeforums.com]

When you import a file into Illustrator it gives you the choice of linking or embedding, just look at the dialog box when it pops up. However, I always, always, always, send the original file whether I have linked it or embedded it. It can save tons of hassle if there is a problem. Also, I create outlines for all my type, but, I still send the fonts I used to create the file in case I miss anything. If you are unsure of what it is your are doing to create outlines for fonts -open Illustrator Help and search for create outlines - it will explain it all.

Many magazines will not accept anything but PDF files these days (so they say) however, Illustrator PDFs are not good enough. So, if you do not have Acrobat (not Acrobat Reader) you are out of luck. Most WILL take Illustrator or Photoshop files - sometimes for an extra fee.

[Jonathan_McClintic@adobeforums.com]

Trinity,

Another piece of advice I can give would be to use InDesign for final layout if you have it. It has an excellent package feature that automatically does all the packaging of fonts and graphics needed by a document into a folder, along with the option to add any comments or notes for the printer. If you bought the entire publishing suite when you purchased Illustrator (which is about the same as Photoshop and Illi together when bought individually, but with InDesign and Acrobat) then it may be time to break out this great program.

Jonathan

[trinityc@adobeforums.com]

Good information guys, but it doesn't help with my original question. The deadline passed Monday. The help utility is limited. Don't have time right now to go out and take a class. I'll figure out how to prepare and save files by trial and error.

Thanks for responding. I really appreciate it!

[Jonathan_McClintic@adobeforums.com]

Trinity,

Worst case scenario... Export entire image as 300 dpi tiff. When in doubt, cheat.

Jonathan