Print-ready PDFs

[BaileyBurger]

We have an app that takes a static JPG and, using z-indexed divs, overlays user
specific information. The HTML is made into a PDF using the CF7 cfdocument tag.
The customized PDF serves as a flyer handout for our users.

In order to make the JPG background print quality we have to use a large JPG
(1500 pix in width) which is shrunk down to 612 pix in width. Problem is that
it is taking over a minute for CF to render the PDF, and I'm assuming it is
because of the large jpg file.

Any suggestions on how to achive a print quality doc in the senario I
described that would be a bit quicker? TIA.

[scott_j]

Hi BaileyBurger,

Wondering if you had any success in creating pdfs with high res images, in a
"ready for print" state. I myself am having similar problems and would
appreciate any advise you might have on the issue. I tried embedding a CMYK
JPEG in my cfdocument and it simply cant be displayed, all I get is a broken
image. Any clues ?

Cheers,

[BaileyBurger]

Hey scott_j

We experience the same thing on our dev servers, but not on our production. I
do not know why other than, perhaps, the increase horsepower of the production
machines helping out.

Now that I think about it, it may be worth the while to reduce the size of the
jpg image you are pulling in (if it is very large) just to eliminate that from
the equation.

I'm assuming you triple checked the src of the img tag? ;-)

[scott_j]

Hi BaileyBurger,

thanks for your reply, in response to that, I have a further question for you.
Were you using the developers license copy of CF7 locally, i.e the free one?
I myself am and wonder if this is an issue with the developers edition only ?
I dont want to purchase the fully licensed version though if I cant my high res
CMYK JPEGS to embed properly in my CF generated PDF's.

Can I ask a further question. Did you get cfdocument to work for you? Are you
using CF7 to generate pdfs that are good enough to go to print ? If so how,
please!!

All the best,

[BaileyBurger]

>>Were you using the developers license copy of CF7 locally, i.e the free one?
We were, and it worked fine. The dev edition just watermarks everything. I
really think your missing image issue is a path issue.

>>Did you get cfdocument to work for you? Are you using CF7 to generate pdfs

that are good enough to go to print ?
Yes and yes. And the rendering time has not been an issue as of late (knock on
wood).

We started with a PDF @ 300DPI. Convert that into a jpg @ 1500 pix in width.
The jog is then pulled into the document at 612 pix in width. See code below.

Again, check and double check your img tags within the cfdocument tag if you
are getting a missing image. Easiest thing to do is simply comment out the
cfdocument tags and view the page via browser. If the images display in the
browser, they should make it into your PDF.

I'd be happy to send you an example of the documents we generate if you want
to send me your emil address off topic.


<cfdocument format="pdf"
filename="#application.Flyer_Builder_Space_Path#\# New_PDF#" overwrite="yes">
<div style="position:absolute; top:0; left:0; z-index:0">
<img src="images/AgeSpecificKinderLearning.jpg" width="612" height="792"
alt="" border="0">
</div>
<div style="position:absolute; top:575; left:65; z-index:1">
<table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" border="0" align="center" width="425"
height="115">
<tr>
<td align="center" width="100">
<cfoutput>
<img src="#Map1_File#" width="100" height="75" alt="" border="0">
</cfoutput>
</td>
<td align="center" width="325">
<cfoutput>
<font face="arial" color="000000"
size="2"><strong>#Center1#</strong></font><br>
<font face="arial" color="000000" size="1">#Address1#</font><br>
<font face="arial" color="000000" size="2">#Phone1#</font><br>
<font face="arial" color="000000" size="1">#Location1#</font>
</cfoutput>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
</cfdocument>

[scott_j]

Hello again,

Thanks for your continued support on this one BurgerBailey. I have checked my
images and they do not render in a browser but this is becuase they are CMYK
JPGs rather than RGB, and I dont think browsers support CMYK images. Can you
confirm that the JPGs you are using are RGB rather than CMYK. I need to be
able to generate a PDF that can be processed by proffessional printing
companies using traditional printing press techniques, i.e not a digital
set-up. Basically are you sending pdfs to press as CMYK or RGB ?

TIA

[BaileyBurger]

My idea of "print ready" is a document that will print cleanly on a desktop ink
jet. I see your problem. :-)

Our PDFs are coming out with RGB channels as well. No idea how to correct
this. Started a
[url]http://www.macromedia.com/cfusion/webforums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=7&thread[/url]
id=1012573&enterthread=y