Fastest way to add bleeds to a supplied PDF file.

[BigSi]

Hi there.

Fastest way to add bleeds to a supplied PDF file. ? Hard to beat the old simply blow up by 1-2 % method. I use this about 80% of the time.
(I never have had a customer notice the image was larger), but of course you can't do this when there is text/logos very close to the trim. What are your surgestions?. It has to be fast (most if the time I'm not charging for this) more often than not the customers don't understand why you have to do this. Faster just to do it myself than throw the file back to them.

Your input is appreciated. thanks Simon

 

[Repro_Pro]

Use Pitstop "Add Bleed" Action List.

How to fix PDF bleed problems with PitStop Pro

Enfocus support engineer Jeff takes you through everything you need to know about fixing bleed in PitStop Pro.

www.enfocus.com

 

[TJPrinter]

Use Pitstop "Add Bleed" Action List.

How to fix PDF bleed problems with PitStop Pro

Enfocus support engineer Jeff takes you through everything you need to know about fixing bleed in PitStop Pro.

www.enfocus.com

This is probably the most used feature in Pitstop for me. Not cheap but it's well worth the price for everything that it does.

 

[Tom Peire]

Just as PitStop also pdfToolbox allows to add bleed in different ways.
Step by step - Learn how to use callas products (callassoftware.com)

 

[kslight]

I have an automation sequence within Quite Imposing that does what you describe, works fine unless the client does not respect margins.

If the document requires manual editing to make bleeds, I open the pdf with illustrator.

 

[TJPrinter]

I like the way that Pitstop will mirror the image to create the bleeds instead of enlarging the page into the bleed zone. Looks like pdfToolbox does the same or similar to create the bleed. Many times customers have text, logos and borders right into the danger zone so enlarging the page becomes difficult.

I did start charging a very small fee for adding bleeds since so many people are sending full bleed Canva files without the bleed. I’ll send them simple instructions on what to do in Canva and if they still can’t get it right I add the fee.

 

[BigSi]

Thanks Guys. Look like I might need to invest in "Pitstop" I do have an old version here. Came pre installed on my Fiery server when I purchased my V2100 many years ago. Not sure If I can use this version to upgrade?.

I realise its a plug in for adobe acrobat, so Im guessing if there is two much of a version difference between them pitstop won't work. ta Simon

 

[tngcas]

We have three ways we do this without using pitstop pro.
1) You can do the mirror the margin function with a fixup in Adobe Acrobat DC - this works good for longer documents.
2) We have a mirror margins script for Adobe Photoshop - this autogenerates the .125 selection box and then autofills with mirror margins if that doesn't look good you can then use content aware to fill it. The script for photoshop is one I found online. Happy to email it to you. It's just a few clicks.
3) We have a special desktop program that we hired someone to make (before we knew about the adobe acrobat option) that converts the file to a flattened image and mirrors the margins - it's okay but not best resolution but it's fairly quick on smaller files and always works even when someone sends a corrupted pdf file but it's a last resort as it's a memory hog.

 

[BigSi]

Hi Cassie. Very helpful thanks. Yes if you can email me the Photoshop script it would me fab. [email protected]. thanks heaps.
I'll purchase pitstop pro as a last resort. About to head into a recession here and might not be around in 6months:-( ta Simon

 

[Stephen Marsh]

Simply paste the code into the forum using the </> button:

 

[abc]

So you convert everything to an image in Photoshop and then add bleed?
Doesn't that cause problems with unsupported PDF constructions and Spot Colors?
Trying to understand how this works, can you give a bit more info?

 

[jwheeler]

Thanks Guys. Look like I might need to invest in "Pitstop" I do have an old version here. Came pre installed on my Fiery server when I purchased my V2100 many years ago. Not sure If I can use this version to upgrade?.

I realise its a plug in for adobe acrobat, so Im guessing if there is two much of a version difference between them pitstop won't work. ta Simon

Since you don't have pitstop, do you have a license for impose on the Fiery? That has a feature where you put in the finished size, enter what size you want the bleeds, and then select 'scale to fit/fill bleeds'. I've used this feature many times, but it only works if they have a decent size margin in the document. Otherwise, other quick fix is in Acrobat Pro is to use the "Touch Up Object Tool" found under Tools>Advanced Editing. This allows you to click on the background image and stretch it out slightly.

 

[tngcas]

It's a jsx file

//
#target photoshop
//
// Gallery Wrap Script
//
// Martin Renters
// 3 Elsley Court
// Dundas, Ontario
// Canada L9H 6Z2
//
// email: [email protected]
// web:   www.teckelworks.com
//
// Copyright (c) 2016 Martin Renters, All rights reserved.
//
// Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
// modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
//
//   1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice,
//      this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
//
//   2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
//      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
//      documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
//
// THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY MARTIN RENTERS ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR
// IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
// OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.
// IN NO EVENT SHALL MARTIN RENTERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
// INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING,
// BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS
// OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND
// ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR
// TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE
// USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.


// Edit the following for the default amount of gallery wrap in inches

var GWconfig={
    defaultUnits: "inch",       // Can be "inch" or "cm"
    wrapSize: 0.125,                // Size of wrap area in default Units
    trimSize: 0,                // Trim area around wrap in default Units
    lineWidth: 0,               // Line width for trim lines
    innerBox: true,             // Draw inner box (limits of wrap)
    outerBox: true,             // Draw outer box (limits of trim area)
    foldLines: true,            // Draw fold lines
    mirroredEdges: true,        // Mirror image in wrap area
    addLogo: false,              // Add a logo to the trim area
    logoName: null,             // Logo name (fill in by dialog)
    position: 'Bottom (Upside Down)' // Logo position
};

// No further changes should be required to any of the code below
var gallery_wrap_version = "2.0.3";

/*
    <javascriptresource>
    <name>Mirror Edges</name>
    <type>automate</type>
    <about>This script automates the process of creating a gallery wrap</about>
    <enableinfo>true</enableinfo>
    </javascriptresource>
*/

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// Draw Line
//
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
function drawLine(start, stop, width) {

    if (width <= 0) return;

    var desc = new ActionDescriptor();
    var lineDesc = new ActionDescriptor();
    var startDesc = new ActionDescriptor();
    var endDesc = new ActionDescriptor();

    startDesc.putUnitDouble(charIDToTypeID('Hrzn'), charIDToTypeID('#Pxl'),
        start[0]);
    startDesc.putUnitDouble(charIDToTypeID('Vrtc'), charIDToTypeID('#Pxl'),
        start[1]);
    endDesc.putUnitDouble(charIDToTypeID('Hrzn'), charIDToTypeID('#Pxl'),
        stop[0]);
    endDesc.putUnitDouble(charIDToTypeID('Vrtc'), charIDToTypeID('#Pxl'),
        stop[1]);
    lineDesc.putObject(charIDToTypeID('Strt'), charIDToTypeID('Pnt '),
        startDesc);
    lineDesc.putObject(charIDToTypeID('End '), charIDToTypeID('Pnt '), endDesc);
    lineDesc.putUnitDouble(charIDToTypeID('Wdth'), charIDToTypeID('#Pxl'),
        width);
    desc.putObject(charIDToTypeID('Shp '), charIDToTypeID('Ln  '), lineDesc);
    desc.putBoolean(charIDToTypeID('AntA'), true);
    executeAction(charIDToTypeID('Draw'), desc, DialogModes.NO);
}

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// Check for valid value for Wrap/Trim Size and Line Weight
//
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
function check_value(name, obj)
{
    var v = parseFloat(obj.text);
    if (isNaN(v) || (v < 0)) {
        alert(name + " is not a valid value");
        return 1;
    }
    return 0;
}

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// Preferences dialog
//
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
function PreferencesDialog()
{
    // Create the dialog box
    var d = new Window('dialog', 'Enter Parameters');
    d.alignChildren = ['fill', 'top'];

    var header = d.add('group', undefined, '', { orientation: 'row'});
    
    var msg = header.add('statictext{justify: "center", \
        properties: {multiline: true}}');
    msg.text = 'Gallery Wrap Script\nVersion ' + gallery_wrap_version + '\n' +
        'Martin Renters, Copyright \u00A92016\n' + 'www.teckelworks.com';
    msg.preferredSize.width = 300;

    ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    // Wrap Size
    ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    wrap = d.add('panel', undefined, 'Wrap Parameters', {
        orientation: 'column'
    });
    wrap.alignChildren = 'left';
    wrap.margins = 20;
    wrap.indent = 20;

    var wrap_size = wrap.add('group', undefined, '', {
        orientation: 'row'
    });
    wrap_size.s = wrap_size.add('statictext', undefined,
        'Wrap Size:');
    wrap_size.s.preferredSize.width = 80;
    wrap_size.e = wrap_size.add('edittext', undefined,
        GWconfig.wrapSize);
    wrap_size.e.characters = 5;
    wrap_size.e.justify = 'right';
    wrap_size.u = wrap_size.add('dropdownlist');

    var mirrored = wrap.add('group', undefined, '', {
        orientation: 'row'
    });
    mirrored.e = mirrored.add('checkbox', undefined,
        'Mirrored Edges');
    mirrored.e.value = GWconfig.mirroredEdges;
    
    ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    // Trim Size
    ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    var trim = d.add('panel', undefined, 'Trim Parameters', {
        orientation: 'column'
    });
    trim.alignChildren = 'left';
    trim.margins = 20;
    trim.indent = 20;

    // Trim Size
    var trim_size = trim.add('group', undefined, '', {
        orientation: 'row'
    });
    trim_size.s = trim_size.add('statictext', undefined,
        'Trim Size:');
    trim_size.s.preferredSize.width = 80;
    trim_size.e = trim_size.add('edittext', undefined,
        GWconfig.trimSize);
    trim_size.e.characters = 5;
    trim_size.e.justify = 'right';
    trim_size.u = trim_size.add('dropdownlist');

    // Line Width
    var line_width = trim.add('group', undefined, '', {
        orientation: 'row'
    });
    line_width.s = line_width.add('statictext', undefined,
        'Line Weight:');
    line_width.s.preferredSize.width = 80;
    line_width.e = line_width.add('edittext', undefined,
        GWconfig.lineWidth);
    line_width.e.characters = 5;
    line_width.e.justify = 'right';

    var innerBox = trim.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Draw Inner Bounding Box');
    innerBox.value = GWconfig.innerBox;
    var outerBox = trim.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Draw Outer Bounding Box');
    outerBox.value = GWconfig.outerBox;
    var foldLines = trim.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Draw Folding Lines');
    foldLines.value = GWconfig.foldLines;

    // Logo
    var addlogo = trim.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Add Logo');
    addlogo.onClick = function() {
        logo.enabled = this.value;
        pos.enabled = this.value;
    };
    var logo = trim.add('group', undefined, '', {
        orientation: 'row',
        enabled: false
    });
    logo.s = logo.add('statictext', undefined,
        'Document:');
    logo.s.preferredSize.width = 100;
    logo.s.justify = 'right';
    
    logo.d = logo.add('dropdownlist');

    // Position
    var pos = trim.add('group', undefined, '', {
        orientation: 'row',
        enabled: false
    });
    pos.s = pos.add('statictext', undefined,
        'Position:');
    pos.s.preferredSize.width = 100;
    pos.s.justify = 'right';
    pos.d = pos.add('dropdownlist');

    // Buttons
    var buttons = d.add('group', undefined, '', {
        orientation: 'row'
    });
    buttons.alignment='center';
    buttons.okBtn = buttons.add('button', undefined, 'OK');
    buttons.okBtn.onClick = function() {
        if (check_value("Wrap Size", wrap_size.e)) return;
        if (check_value("Trim Size", trim_size.e)) return;
        if (check_value("Line Weight", line_width.e)) return;
        buttons.okBtn.close(1);
    };
        
    buttons.cancelBtn = buttons.add('button', undefined, 'Cancel');

    var documents = app.documents;
    var i;
    var listitem;

    addlogo.enabled = false;
    logo.enabled = this.value;
    pos.enabled = this.value;

    // Populate logos if other documents open
    for (i=0; i<app.documents.length; i++) {
    if (app.documents[i] == docRef) continue;
        listitem = logo.d.add("item", app.documents[i].name);
        if (listitem.index == 0) {
            logo.d.selection = listitem;
            addlogo.enabled = true;
            addlogo.value = GWconfig.addLogo;
            if (addlogo.value) {
                logo.enabled = true;
                pos.enabled = true;
            }
        }
    }

    if (!logo.enabled) {
        logo.d.selection = logo.d.add("item", "No other open documents");
    }

    // Populate logo positioning
    var positions = ['Bottom', 'Bottom (Upside Down)', 'All Sides'];
    for (i=0; i<positions.length; i++) {
        listitem = pos.d.add("item", positions[i]);
        if (GWconfig.position == positions[i])
            pos.d.selection = listitem;
    }

    // Populate wrap/trim units
    var units = ['inch', 'cm'];
    for (i=0; i<units.length; i++) {
        listitem = wrap_size.u.add("item", units[i]);
        if (GWconfig.defaultUnits == units[i])
            wrap_size.u.selection = listitem;
        listitem = trim_size.u.add("item", units[i]);
        if (GWconfig.defaultUnits == units[i])
            trim_size.u.selection = listitem;
    }

    // Center dialog and show it to user
    d.center();
    var code = d.show();

    // Fetch the user's preferences
    GWconfig.wrapSize = parseFloat(wrap_size.e.text);
    GWconfig.mirroredEdges = mirrored.e.value;
    GWconfig.trimSize = parseFloat(trim_size.e.text);
    GWconfig.addLogo = addlogo.value;
    GWconfig.lineWidth = line_width.e.text;
    GWconfig.innerBox = innerBox.value;
    GWconfig.outerBox = outerBox.value;
    GWconfig.foldLines = foldLines.value;

    // Logo name
    listitem = logo.d.selection;
    if (listitem) GWconfig.logoName = listitem.text;

    // Logo position
    listitem = pos.d.selection;
    if (listitem) GWconfig.position = listitem.text;

    // Convert to cm if necessary
    listitem = wrap_size.u.selection;
    if (listitem && listitem.text == "cm")
        GWconfig.wrapSize = GWconfig.wrapSize / 2.54;

    listitem = trim_size.u.selection;
    if (listitem && listitem.text == "cm")
        GWconfig.trimSize = GWconfig.trimSize / 2.54;

    // Convert wrap from inches to pixels
    GWconfig.wrapSize = Math.round(GWconfig.wrapSize * docRef.resolution);
    GWconfig.trimSize = Math.round(GWconfig.trimSize * docRef.resolution);

    return code;
}

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// drawLogos
//
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
function drawLogos(config)
{
    var layer;
    var trimSize = config.trimSize;

    // Can't draw logo if there is no trim size
    if (trimSize <= 0) return;
    if (config.addLogo == false) return;
    if (config.logoName == null) return;

    var logo = app.documents.getByName(config.logoName);
    app.activeDocument = logo;

    // Duplicate logo and get reference to new one
    logo = logo.duplicate("Logo-Gallery-Wrap");
    logo.flatten();

    var logo_h = logo.height.value;
    var logo_w = logo.width.value;

    // Figure out how much to resize the image
    var scale = trimSize*0.8/logo_h;
    logo.resizeImage(scale*logo_w, scale*logo_h, docRef.Resolution);
    logo_h = logo.height.value;
    logo_w = logo.width.value;

    // Copy to LAB so that we can paste without color space mismatches
    logo.convertProfile("Lab Color", Intent.RELATIVECOLORIMETRIC);
    logo.selection.selectAll();
    logo.selection.copy();

    app.activeDocument = docRef;

    // Logo on bottom
    docRef.selection.selectAll();
    layer = docRef.paste();
    if (config.position != "Bottom")
        layer.rotate(180, AnchorPosition.MIDDLECENTER);
    layer.translate(0, (docRef.height.value - trimSize)/2);
    layer.merge();

    if (config.position == "All Sides") {
        // Logo on top
        docRef.selection.selectAll();
        layer = docRef.paste();
        layer.rotate(0, AnchorPosition.MIDDLECENTER);
        layer.translate(0, -(docRef.height.value - trimSize)/2);
        layer.merge();

        // Logo on Left
        docRef.selection.selectAll();
        layer = docRef.paste();
        layer.rotate(-90, AnchorPosition.MIDDLECENTER);
        layer.translate(-(docRef.width - trimSize)/2, 0);
        layer.merge();

        // Logo on right
        docRef.selection.selectAll();
        layer = docRef.paste();
        layer.rotate(90, AnchorPosition.MIDDLECENTER);
        layer.translate((docRef.width - trimSize)/2, 0);
        layer.merge();
    }

    logo.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);

    // Delete Reference
    logo = null;
}

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// drawTrimLines
//
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
function drawTrimLines(config)
{
    var wrapSize = config.wrapSize;
    var trimSize = config.trimSize;
    var lineWidth = config.lineWidth;

    // If no trimSize, then nothing to do
    if (trimSize <= 0) return;

    var black = new SolidColor();
    black.rgb.hexValue = "000000";
    app.foregroundColor = black;

    size = wrapSize + trimSize;
    height = docRef.height;
    width = docRef.width;

    // Fold Lines
    if (config.foldLines) {
        // Top Left
        drawLine([0,size], [trimSize,size], lineWidth);
        drawLine([size,0], [size,trimSize], lineWidth);

        // Top Right
        drawLine([width.value,size], [width.value-trimSize,size], lineWidth);
        drawLine([width.value-size,0], [width.value-size,trimSize], lineWidth);

        // Bottom Left
        drawLine([0,height.value-size],
            [trimSize,height.value-size], lineWidth);
        drawLine([size,height.value],
            [size,height.value-trimSize], lineWidth);

        // Bottom Right
        drawLine([width.value,height.value-size],
            [width.value-trimSize,height.value-size], lineWidth);
        drawLine([width.value-size,height.value],
            [width.value-size,height.value-trimSize], lineWidth);
    }

    // Inner box
    if (config.innerBox) {
        drawLine([trimSize, trimSize],
                [width.value-trimSize, trimSize], lineWidth);
        drawLine([width.value-trimSize, trimSize],
                [width.value-trimSize, height.value-trimSize], lineWidth);
        drawLine([width.value-trimSize, height.value-trimSize],
                [trimSize, height.value-trimSize], lineWidth);
        drawLine([trimSize, height.value-trimSize],
                [trimSize, trimSize], lineWidth);
    }

    // Outer Box
    if (config.outerBox) {
        drawLine([0, 0], [width.value, 0], lineWidth);
        drawLine([width.value, 0], [width.value, height.value], lineWidth);
        drawLine([width.value, height.value], [0, height.value], lineWidth);
        drawLine([0, height.value], [0, 0], lineWidth);
    }
}

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// selectWrapArea - Selects the gallery wrap area
//
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
function selectWrapArea(config)
{
    var wrapSize = config.wrapSize;
    var trimSize = config.trimSize;

    if (wrapSize <= 0) return;

    var height = docRef.height;
    var width = docRef.width;
    var selRegion;
    var size;

    app.activeDocument = docRef;

    // Select image canvas image area
    size = trimSize;
    selRegion = [   [size, size],
            [width-size, size],
            [width-size, height-size],
            [size, height-size]
        ];
    docRef.selection.select(selRegion, SelectionType.REPLACE, 0);

    size = wrapSize + trimSize;
    selRegion = [   [size, size],
            [width-size, size],
            [width-size, height-size],
            [size, height-size]
        ];
    docRef.selection.select(selRegion, SelectionType.DIMINISH, 0);
}

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// getMode
//
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
function getMode(doc)
{
    switch(doc.mode) {
        case DocumentMode.BITMAP: mode = NewDocumentMode.BITMAP; break;
        case DocumentMode.CMYK: mode = NewDocumentMode.CMYK; break;
        case DocumentMode.GRAYSCALE: mode = NewDocumentMode.GRAYSCALE; break;
        case DocumentMode.LAB: mode = NewDocumentMode.LAB; break;
        case DocumentMode.RGB: mode = NewDocumentMode.RGB; break;
        default:
            alert("This document mode isn't supported by this script. Converting document to RGB mode");
            doc.changeMode(ChangeMode.RGB);
            mode = NewDocumentMode.RGB;
            break;
    }
    return mode;
}

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// Gallery Wrap Procedure
//
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
function GalleryWrap(config)
{
    var wrapSize = config.wrapSize;
    var trimSize = config.trimSize;

    var height = docRef.height+((trimSize+wrapSize)*2);
    var width = docRef.width+((trimSize+wrapSize)*2);
    var layer;

    var mode = getMode(docRef);;

    docRef.flatten();

    var white = new SolidColor();
    white.rgb.hexValue = "FFFFFF";
    app.backgroundColor = white;
    docRef.resizeCanvas(width, height, AnchorPosition.MIDDLECENTER);

    // If we don't want to mirror, we're done
    if (!config.mirroredEdges) return;

    // If we don't have a wrap size, we're done
    if (wrapSize <= 0) return;

    var i;
    var selRegion;
    var copyRef;

    var areas = [
        {                                           // Left
            src_selection: [
                [trimSize+wrapSize, trimSize],
                [trimSize+wrapSize*2, trimSize],
                [trimSize+wrapSize*2, height-trimSize],
                [trimSize+wrapSize, height-trimSize]
            ],
            dst_selection: [
                [trimSize, trimSize],
                [trimSize+wrapSize, trimSize],
                [trimSize+wrapSize, height-trimSize],
                [trimSize, height-trimSize]
            ],
            w: wrapSize,
            h: height-trimSize*2
        },
        {                                           // Right
            src_selection: [
                [width-(trimSize+wrapSize), trimSize],
                [width-(trimSize+wrapSize*2), trimSize],
                [width-(trimSize+wrapSize*2), height-trimSize],
                [width-(trimSize+wrapSize), height-trimSize]
            ],
            dst_selection: [
                [width-trimSize, trimSize],
                [width-(trimSize+wrapSize), trimSize],
                [width-(trimSize+wrapSize), height-trimSize],
                [width-trimSize, height-trimSize]
            ],
            w: wrapSize,
            h: height-trimSize*2
        },
        {                                           // Top
            src_selection: [
                [trimSize, trimSize+wrapSize],
                [trimSize, trimSize+wrapSize*2],
                [width-trimSize, trimSize+wrapSize*2],
                [width-trimSize, trimSize+wrapSize]
            ],
            dst_selection: [
                [trimSize, trimSize],
                [trimSize, trimSize+wrapSize],
                [width-trimSize, trimSize+wrapSize],
                [width-trimSize, trimSize]
            ],
            w: width-trimSize*2,
            h: wrapSize
        },
        {                                           // Bottom
            src_selection: [
                [trimSize, height-(trimSize+wrapSize)],
                [trimSize, height-(trimSize+wrapSize*2)],
                [width-trimSize, height-(trimSize+wrapSize*2)],
                [width-trimSize, height-(trimSize+wrapSize)]
            ],
            dst_selection: [
                [trimSize, height-trimSize],
                [trimSize, height-(trimSize+wrapSize)],
                [width-trimSize, height-(trimSize+wrapSize)],
                [width-trimSize, height-trimSize]
            ],
            w: width-trimSize*2,
            h: wrapSize
        }
    ];

    for (i=0; i<4; i++) {
        docRef.selection.select(areas[i].src_selection,
            SelectionType.REPLACE, 0);
        docRef.selection.copy();
        if (docRef.colorProfileType.toString() != ColorProfile.NONE) {
          copyRef = app.documents.add(areas[i].w, areas[i].h,
            docRef.resolution, "Mirror",
            mode, DocumentFill.WHITE, docRef.pixelAspectRatio,
            docRef.bitsPerChannel, docRef.colorProfileName);
        } else {
          copyRef = app.documents.add(areas[i].w, areas[i].h,
            docRef.resolution, "Mirror",
            mode, DocumentFill.WHITE, docRef.pixelAspectRatio,
            docRef.bitsPerChannel);
        }
        copyRef.paste();
        if (i < 2)
            copyRef.flipCanvas(Direction.HORIZONTAL);
        else
            copyRef.flipCanvas(Direction.VERTICAL);
    
        copyRef.selection.selectAll();
        copyRef.selection.copy();
        copyRef.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);
        app.activeDocument = docRef;
        docRef.selection.select(areas[i].dst_selection,
            SelectionType.REPLACE, 0);
        layer = docRef.paste(true);
        layer.merge();
    }
    copyRef = null;
}

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// Main Procedure
//
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

var docRef;

var originalRulerUnits = app.preferences.rulerUnits;
preferences.rulerUnits = Units.PIXELS;

if (app.documents.length == 0) {
    alert("No documents open. Terminating.");
} else {
    docRef = app.activeDocument;

    app.bringToFront();

    if (docRef && PreferencesDialog() == 1) {
        docRef.suspendHistory("Gallery Wrap",
        " GalleryWrap(GWconfig); \
            if (GWconfig.trimSize) { \
                drawTrimLines(GWconfig); \
                drawLogos(GWconfig); \
            } \
            selectWrapArea(GWconfig);");
    }
}

// Release references
docRef = null;

// Restore original ruler unit setting
app.preferences.rulerUnits = originalRulerUnits;

 

[tngcas]

So you convert everything to an image in Photoshop and then add bleed?
Doesn't that cause problems with unsupported PDF constructions and Spot Colors?
Trying to understand how this works, can you give a bit more info?

It's second on the list for a reason. We use the mirror margins in Adobe most of the time unless they have angels at the edges.

Yes, it converts it to an image. We open the pdf file at 600ppi to try to minimize the quality problems. It's not an ideal solution but if we are really worried about it you combine that use with InDesign. Put the original file on the front layer and the bleed "image" behind it. Unless your cutting/printing equipment is very very off you're only going to see a few pixels of the bleed "image" included in the final print which is going to be okay for 95% of customers who aren't picky to begin with. The picky customers you can email and tell them they need to supply full bleed files if they want it done right.

95% of our customers aren't using spot colors and barely even know what they're doing. They just want to send a file and have it printed so we don't want to waste time on those prints just process. If they aren't huge orders then this makes more sense than emailing them 20 emails trying to explain that "print to the edge" is not the same thing as the "full bleed method of printing."

 

[TJPrinter]

Thanks Guys. Look like I might need to invest in "Pitstop" I do have an old version here. Came pre installed on my Fiery server when I purchased my V2100 many years ago. Not sure If I can use this version to upgrade?.

I realise its a plug in for adobe acrobat, so Im guessing if there is two much of a version difference between them pitstop won't work. ta Simon

If you have the license activation code for the old version of Pitstop you may want to give it a try. If it works, it’s the quickest way to create the missing bleed. I think Enfocus added the bleed function back at something like version 6, so anything newer will create the bleed quickly and cheap if you already have a working copy of Pitstop.

 

[abc]

It's second on the list for a reason. We use the mirror margins in Adobe most of the time unless they have angels at the edges.

Yes, it converts it to an image. We open the pdf file at 600ppi to try to minimize the quality problems. It's not an ideal solution but if we are really worried about it you combine that use with InDesign. Put the original file on the front layer and the bleed "image" behind it. Unless your cutting/printing equipment is very very off you're only going to see a few pixels of the bleed "image" included in the final print which is going to be okay for 95% of customers who aren't picky to begin with. The picky customers you can email and tell them they need to supply full bleed files if they want it done right.

95% of our customers aren't using spot colors and barely even know what they're doing. They just want to send a file and have it printed so we don't want to waste time on those prints just process. If they aren't huge orders then this makes more sense than emailing them 20 emails trying to explain that "print to the edge" is not the same thing as the "full bleed method of printing."

Yep, I'll pass thanks. Sounds fraught with danger and a lot of manual work.
There are other better solutions IMHO.

 

[Soft_Sam]

Hi there.

Fastest way to add bleeds to a supplied PDF file. ? Hard to beat the old simply blow up by 1-2 % method. I use this about 80% of the time.
(I never have had a customer notice the image was larger), but of course you can't do this when there is text/logos very close to the trim. What are your surgestions?. It has to be fast (most if the time I'm not charging for this) more often than not the customers don't understand why you have to do this. Faster just to do it myself than throw the file back to them.

Your input is appreciated. thanks Simon

Imp Software from InSoft Automation adds bleed dynamically on print ready layout without manual intervention. This methodology of adding bleed on layouts simplifies complexity and for ganged jobs.

 

[BigSi]

Hi there

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, we have tried the adobe acrobat preflight with mirroring and it has worked, however there seems to be unusual white boxes at the ends of each corner (screen shot attached) bleed works perfectly but if anyone knows how to remove the white boxes, Id be forever grateful!

thanks

 

[tngcas]

You need to use the option that says "edges and corners" and not just edges. There's four different options, You can play around with which of the options gives you the best result when generating a bleed.

 

[BigSi]

Thanks Cassie. This is great info. ta Simon