The ABCs of PDF/X-1a

[marlene]

I need to send an ad file to a publisher that prefers the PDF/X-1a file format.

They will also accept a TIFF/IT P-1.

I don't know how to produce either one. I've got CS2, so I have Acrobat 7 Pro and Photoshop CS2.

Can either of these file formats be produced by someone who doesn't know what they're doing, or am I asking for trouble?

In the olden days, I used to send a PDF to a service bureau that would convert it to the fancy PDF format using some kind of software they had. I never looked behind the curtain to see what they were doing.

mxh

[Michael Rowley]

Marlene:

a publisher that prefers the PDF/X-1a file format

Acrobat 7 will check a PDF to see if it complies with the PDF/X-1 format. I think it tells you if anything essential is missing, but I don't know if your reaction is just, 'Huh?', if is.

[annc]

I need to send an ad file to a publisher that prefers the PDF/X-1a file format.

They will also accept a TIFF/IT P-1.

I don't know how to produce either one. I've got CS2, so I have Acrobat 7 Pro and Photoshop CS2.

Can either of these file formats be produced by someone who doesn't know what they're doing, or am I asking for trouble?

In the olden days, I used to send a PDF to a service bureau that would convert it to the fancy PDF format using some kind of software they had. I never looked behind the curtain to see what they were doing.PDF/X-1a is one of the PDF export presets in InDesign. Why not try that and see if the publisher accepts it? You can change the presets, but I would imagine that the default would be acceptable in most places.

[marlene]

Michael,

Hoo boy! I did the PDF/X-1a preflight thing (although I didn't know if I should specify 2001 or 2003) and it generated a 19-page report. It did find some problems (GTS_PDFXVersion key missing, Output Intent missing, PDFX label missing or incorrect, Trapped Key not true or false, TrimBox or ArtBox missing, etc.) and yeah, my reaction is "Huh?" <g>

mxh

[marlene]

PDF/X-1a is one of the PDF export presets in InDesign.

It figures! The ad was done in Quark. <g>

I'll try converting the ad to InDesign tomorrow and exporting from there.

Thanks for pointing that out -- I never even thought to check InDesign's PDF export capabilities although I have been getting great results with other InDesign files I've been exporting to tagged PDFs.

Although I am realizing that ID is really a lot better than Quark for certain projects, I still retreat to Quark most of the time, especially when I'm in a hurry. I'm still learning ID and it just takes me too long. <sigh>

mxh

[PeterArnel]

Marlene
In the UK this now is the prefered way of sending a file - I believe there is a web site pdf/x-1a where printers can sign up . It is certainly our prefered format
Peter

[Howard White]

Peter

Out of idlest curiousity, what about PDF/X-3? Seems to have favor on the Continent.

HW

[Mike]

Marlene
In the UK this now is the prefered way of sending a file - I believe there is a web site pdf/x-1a where printers can sign up . It is certainly our prefered format
Peter

Peter, what's the advantage of x-1a? Most of the books I set are printed by Mackays of Chatham. Should I start sending them x-1a files?

I did just chose the x-1a option and made a pdf of the book I'm currently working on and it doesn't, to me, seem any different to a bog standard pdf.

[PeterArnel]

Mike - I would always recommend that you speak to your printer and ask them. PDF/X-1a is the prefered option for sending pdf to all leading magazine and print companies (search for PDF/X-1a on the web)
Peter

[annc]

Although I am realizing that ID is really a lot better than Quark for certain projects, I still retreat to Quark most of the time, especially when I'm in a hurry. I'm still learning ID and it just takes me too long. <sigh>I can imagine, after all these years.

But eventually, you need to just bite the bullet and accept the extra hours on the first couple of projects. I spent months looking blankly at a page and wondering just how I was going to do something. Like headache, I don't recall the exact moment that went away. <g>

But although it's been what, five years? a couple of days ago I found myself using Command-D to duplicate a page element. Aaaggghh

[marlene]

Many publishers in the U.S. request ads in PDF format, but I haven't encountered many requests for PDF/X-1a.

I tried to export one from InDesign, but I had no idea which defaults (if any) needed to be changed, so for now I've given up and will send the publisher a regular old PDF. If they don't like it, they can tell me exactly how to create it. Actually, the publisher did provide instructions, but only for distilling a PDF/X-1a from Quark. Nothing about InDesign.

So I ended up right back where I started, and decided I wasn't smart enough to be delving into the mysteries of X-1a.

mxh

[marlene]

But eventually, you need to just bite the bullet and accept the extra hours on the first couple of projects. I spent months looking blankly at a page and wondering just how I was going to do something. Like headache, I don't recall the exact moment that went away. <g>

But although it's been what, five years? a couple of days ago I found myself using Command-D to duplicate a page element. Aaaggghh

I still hit Control-E every time I want to get text or a graphic. <g>

My problems start with the essential nuts and bolts. I still haven't figure out the best way to process Word files before importing them into ID (I have it down to a fine art for Quark), or even how to set up master pages and templates. I don't know how to link text boxes on master pages, or how to add a new page to an existing text chain.

But everything I do for one of my clients (my second-biggest client) is in InDesign, so I'm being forced to find out how to do stuff.

mxh

[annc]

I still hit Control-E every time I want to get text or a graphic. <g>Yeah, that one took me a few months to get over. Wish I could finally get over the other.

My problems start with the essential nuts and bolts. I still haven't figure out the best way to process Word files before importing them into ID (I have it down to a fine art for Quark)Do you leave the formatting in Word files?

I tend to print them, then copy and paste them into BBEdit to get rid of all the PC high-ASCII rubbish, and then either copy and paste them into my InDesign document, or import the text version after saving it out of BBEdit. Sometimes there are still some nasties, so I have BBEdit set to show invisibles by default.

On the few occasions I've allowed Word files to come into InDesign as is, I've found the styles to be persistent, illogical and repetitive. But that's probably the fault of the originator, not necessarily Word itself.

[Michael Rowley]

Marlene:

Many publishers in the U.S. request ads in PDF format

The advertising body advocates PDF/X, probably PDF/X-1a, which apparently assumes CYMK, but some German & Swiss printers apparently advocate PDF/X-3, which specifies colours as CIE or RGB plus a profile. Acrobat 7 does them both, and 1a is only a subset of 3.

[Mike]

Mike - I would always recommend that you speak to your printer and ask them

That would be a luxury! I'm just the humble page designer and typesetter and have no contact with the printer. These days I never even get to see the final book unless I chance upon a copy in a bookshop.

[Eggles]

Do you leave the formatting in Word files?

I tend to print them, then copy and paste them into BBEdit to get rid of all the PC high-ASCII rubbish, and then either copy and paste them into my InDesign document, or import the text version after saving it out of BBEdit. Sometimes there are still some nasties, so I have BBEdit set to show invisibles by default.

If you have Word on your computer, open the Word file and first print the file if the formatting is to be replicated, then do a search and replace for all the usual typewriter-style rubbish - double spaces at the end of sentences and double returns after paragraphs - then save it as a text file (an option in the dropdown 'save as' file type list). This strips out all formatting. Then place into ID (deleting the link from the Links palette) and apply all the styles and other formatting there. No nasties creep through, no styles to conflict with your ID styles.

[PeterArnel]

Mike
Its amazing I have been in print for well nearly 40 years and i didnt think u guys existed
Peter

[Mike]

Its amazing I have been in print for well nearly 40 years and i didnt think u guys existed

Not sure I do outside of my own imagination.

[PeterArnel]

So are u well known for this - and publishers beat apath to your door - it must be very specialist. Do u get in the way of the editors???
Peter

[curveto]

Peter

Out of idlest curiousity, what about PDF/X-3? Seems to have favor on the Continent.

HW
How do I get that panel with those dials to make one of those?

Oh right!

You just a napkin and a pencil...

'Tis Cake!
;)

[curveto]

Mike
Its amazing I have been in print for well nearly 40 years and i didnt think u guys existed
Peter
Psst...

Don't tell anyone.

They're actually a bank of phone 'bots.

<hehehe/>