Control Separations when making a PDF

[pcmodem]

This originally started out in the following thread: Why I go to .PS instead of exporting to PDF Rather than hijack the thread, I thought I would create a new one.

The Prepress Technician checks to make sure the file is built with the correct colors. Before we switched to a PDF workflow we were using a separated workflow. The ability to print just the colors required for the job, allowed for mistakes to be caught during the proofing process since the proof would only show what was going to print on press. This allowed for a second look at the proof to verify everything was correct. If something was missing on the proof, we went back to the file. No one is perfect and this process allowed for mistakes to be caught.

Layers could be used... if the file was built that way.

If PDF/Composite is so great, there shouldn't be a need for separations at all. By giving color control when creating a PDF, separations would slowly disappear.

As Matt Beals pointed out in the other thread, online proofing systems allow for viewing separations. In my opinion, controlling what separations view or print should be handled up stream. These online systems which view separations are great for those of us who understand the printing process of different colors in each unit of the press. The problem is the greater part of this world does not and majority of our customers are them.

Now if Acrobat had the ability to turn off individual Separations or Layers AND save the PDF. So Acrobat Reader would know NOT to view the individual Separations or Layers. It would be a step in the right direction.

[Lukas Engqvist]

You mean like in Acrobat pro one would be able to "hide" a separation so that it would be off in all PDF viewers until somone with a Pro would "un-hide" it?

With layers you can turn off the initial visibility, but not sure if all non Adobe PDF readers (or older versions of reader) honour that.

[pcmodem]

Yes, that is exactly what I mean.

[Lukas Engqvist]

Did you post it on the feature request for next Acrobat? (or the next one after that, incase it is too far in the making)

[pcmodem]

I have not requested this particular feature for Acrobat, since I thought of it while writing this post. I will post it, depending on the feedback I receive.

[mattbeals]

As Leonard said, we can use existing PDF tools like callas pdfToolbox or PitStop Pro to put specific objects on layers. Creating a separated view requires Acrobat Pro. Otherwise you need to find a tool like Lucid Dream's iZoom product (which doesn't require a rocket scientist to use).

[pcmodem]

Matt/Dov,

Is there a particular reason why we shouldn't have the ability the print certain colors when Exporting a PDF?

[mattbeals]

Pre-separated workflows died a few years ago? You can export an individual layer from InDesign?

[pcmodem]

Is it possible to easily put an individual color from a photograph onto a layer in InDesign?

[mattbeals]

An individual photograph yes. The cyan separation of a color photograph no.