digital watermarking

[4StatePrinting]

We use a proof sheet that has proof watermarked on the item(s) and a legal sounding disclaimer at the bottom stating that we own all artwork until it has been purchased by the customer. Basically it is a mini contract with the customer and lets them know that we expect the business if we do the work.
I also do not allow artwork to leave the shop digitally if the customer is not a returning customer. It just boils down to a couple of good practices on your part.
I don't know where your located but with my customers they appreciate it when I show up with hard copy proofs to go over the job in detail with them, it makes it more personal and usually seals the deal when the owner of the shop walks in to discuss the job.
Good luck and I hope you can figure something out. Send me a message if you would like me to send you our disclaimer. DA

[Londen]

Londen, if the client has acrobat, they just select the watermark and then press the delete key, bingo.. gone.

With Acrobat Pro, you can password protect your document. There are different settings you can select. You can make the ddf file un-printable with out entering a preset password.

[michaelejahn]

With Acrobat Pro, you can password protect your document. There are different settings you can select. You can make the ddf file un-printable with out entering a preset password.

Yep - that is exactly what I suggested in a previous post. Without the password, you can view the PDF, but it can't be printed or RIPed - nor can you export to TIFF or extract images...

BUT - of course, if you zoom in, you can do screen captures and you can then paste it all back together if you really really were desperate (as some folks are ! )

[graficworx]

Yep - that is exactly what I suggested in a previous post. Without the password, you can view the PDF, but it can't be printed or RIPed - nor can you export to TIFF or extract images...

BUT - of course, if you zoom in, you can do screen captures and you can then paste it all back together if you really really were desperate (as some folks are ! )

For your average user that will work, but there are software packages available for both Mac & Win that can remove that password in seconds. I had to do this for a customer one time that did indeed own the files, but there graphic designer had left, and they didn't know the password to a 300+ page file. That was not something I wanted to re-create, and I found a way to remove the password protection in seconds.

[bprint_tampabay]

Unfortunately, all of the above safeguards can easily be neutralized.

You know, there is always someone out there with nothing better to do than to hack anything and everything.

The ability to disable printing, and most other security features are only useful if they are honest. Those functions are easily overcome if they are so inclined.

Just sayin' is all.

[Enrique]

I think the easiest and most standard way to send a digital proof is to create the low-quality version. Yes, details will be soft, but this doubles as both a deterrent and a reminder that it is not print-quality.

You should also not be doing spec work to begin with, this is the #1 biggest problem in the design/print industry, thousands of people creating spec work and never getting paid for it. At the shop I work at, we always get at least a deposit from customers when custom design work is necessary.