PDFs and multiple-language runs

[Diane]

I am a publisher of illustrated books, which we print in two or three language versions. We have recently switched printers, and instead of providing Quark files with the black-plate text on layers, we have been asked to provide PDFs. However, my understanding is that we are to provide multiple PDFs -- one file for the CMYK, and then an additional PDF for each text plate.

Does that make sense, or should there be a way to provide one PDF for all versions?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.
d.

[Jim Birkenseer]

We have recently switched printers, and instead of providing Quark files with the black-plate text on layers, we have been asked to provide PDFs. However, my understanding is that we are to provide multiple PDFs -- one file for the CMYK, and then an additional PDF for each text plate.

Does that make sense, or should there be a way to provide one PDF for all versions?


Diane,

I think this does make sense--that is if the non-text artwork (images and illustrations) doesn't change between language versions. The printer will be able to create one set of CMY plates and only have to change the black plates for the different languages. Your printer will electronically--or perhaps manually double-burn the black text and graphics onto to the plate--combine the black separations of the artwork with the text for each language.

Once PDF layers come into their own, your printer may ask you to do the same thing that you did with QXP layers but with PDF layers instead. However, PDF layers are still a very new innovation and their support in print production applications is still very limited.

That being said, if you feel the information the printer sent to you was not clear, don't hesitate to give the printer a call. It's been a long time since I have heard of someone getting bitten by a rabid printer when a question was asked of her. ;-)

Cheers!

[PeterArnel]

I am a publisher of illustrated books, which we print in two or three language versions. We have recently switched printers, and instead of providing Quark files with the black-plate text on layers, we have been asked to provide PDFs. However, my understanding is that we are to provide multiple PDFs -- one file for the CMYK, and then an additional PDF for each text plate.

Does that make sense, or should there be a way to provide one PDF for all versions?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.
d.

Diane
It depends hpw your printer is printing the job - I have always had 5 or 6 colour presses and like to run CMY (K of images) on 4 units and the 5th for the black text changes - this is easier to make ready as the images are always in fit - but if they have only 4 colour presses they will need the images incorporated.
What I would like to have is a pdf of the CMYK ( K with images on) and seperate pdf's of each language - my Digital imposition software will make sure theytext fits the jobs