When we do a job we always Proof as a PDF. I am having customers take my PDF Proof and giving the file to another printer to print the next time the job is printed. Is there any way of providing a PDF Proof that cannot be stolen. When we typeset a book and provide a low res Proof, the file can still be stolen. I am told that the PDF can simply be open, corrected and reimaged.
Actually, you can create security settings on your PDF file that prevent them from printing, where they can view only - or just print out a low resolution version of the file.
This also prevents the file from being opened in a program such as Illustrator to pull out any of the documentation. Here is a short explanation of how to start with the security settings.
You can have it with a password, that way you are the only one that can change the settings on the file to print out the high resolution images and text.
Security settings are easily broken and many prepress departments have software to do so due to clients providing them locked files due to corporate policies. Digital watermarking can be removed with software but it is painful if you do it to every page.
I suggest locking the PDFs with security settings AND watermarking every page. You can only make the barriers high and hope that it causes them to be discouraged.
Security settings are easily broken and many prepress departments have software to do so due to clients providing them locked files due to corporate policies. Digital watermarking can be removed with software but it is painful if you do it to every page.
I suggest locking the PDFs with security settings AND watermarking every page. You can only make the barriers high and hope that it causes them to be discouraged.
This is true - I remember doing this. However, some of the more recent PDF documents have better settings making it much more difficult. If you have some of the older versions of the programs, yes - it is definitely doable.
I do have a question though, why are you providing high resolution PDF files for proofs? (just realized this after reading the question again). Make the proof a very low resolution pdf, for layout purposes since monitors are not reliable for color proofing. If they need a color proof they can come in for an accurate one (since you never know how they have their monitor calibrated). This will 1. prevent them from providing a usable file to another printer and 2. bring them back into the shop so they can pay you
nobody likes to lose clients, but don't you think it would/could be advantages to act like a professional to let them try their hand with another printer to see if they can deliver as quickly and efficiently as the printer you work for hoping that somewhere down the line they comeback to you since this other printer couldn't deliver? Locking people out of files or giving them low rez is a sure fire way to completely lose a customer.
I disagree on the files, especially if they have not paid for the services/design. The file is not theirs to have produced. It is still the print shop's property, and I see it as stolen when the customer does that.
As for the PDF, you have to print to a bitmap - not export it. This will keep the vectors from transferring and you can lower the dpi where it will not be printable.
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Type Setting Files Being Stolen
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by chevalier
