I got a reprint on a job today, but the client wanted some text changes. Of course the client insisted that we (the printer) make the text changes. Of course, the fonts were outlined. And our sales were not about to try to get the original files for the job. So, because the fonts were outlined, I had to hack the job to make the text edits, which added alot of extra time to the job. So, should fonts always be outlined?
-Sev
I worked for newspapers and with prepress long enough to know what a pain it can be when we have to make something work on a daily basis to run across that one outlined ad. I also know I very rarely had to correct those ads compared to the others.
I know that the other ads I had to correct happened for two reasons:
- Our clients weren't held responsible for their camera-ready materials - i.e. a vast majority of the corrections to outside ads were font related. And those are just the ones we CAUGHT. This isn't considering full page ads that were supposed to have some sort of font background that didn't run properly.
- We had very tight deadlines and clients we couldn't always get a hold of and so we erred on the side of correcting/making small revisions so the ad would still run and thus we would still get the sale.
However, I also know that it breeds three problems to not require it of camera-ready material(among many other smaller problems):
- It increases inaccuracy and inability to say who is responsible for mistakes related to revised ads. (thus losing sale money)
- Not setting a standard for outlines leaves the client uninformed of unexpected printer/font errors that no one knew about if the default issues are subtle or not caught. (losing client respect for your ability to take care of their needs professionally)
- And while making the text edits for them may make some clients happy immediately, it increases the risk of something going wrong that only the client/original designer would know about to catch. (thus losing more sale money, and client approval down the road)
So yes. It takes very little time for the original artist to edit materials if they are responsible and present for their ad. I.e. they get it to you with time to spare/are around for when you call with questions etc.
If you are that artist - have at. If not, the designer responsible for their camera-ready ad should be the only one accountable for text revisions.
The item should either run as it was approved, or be pulled (depending on situation) if you can't get a hold of the person responsible for their camera-ready materials.
I don't say that lightly. I know it's a pita on BOTH ends, but rarely EVER do I have problems I can't account for as a result. I know the immediate dollar, or the concern for the immediate client relationship seems monumental. But I think we are here to build long-term, trustworthy, professional and reliable support for our clients. That means US taking a punch for them sometimes, and also being clear about the difference between using camera-ready services or in-house services.
If, after that point, they want you to take the extra time to work around outlines - (because that still can happen), then at least you can better inform them that you had to change the font to something similar. Which is a small price to pay compared to the other issues that could have happened between you-the ad-and the client before that point.
Outlining fonts reduces more problems than it has ever caused.
Sorry if that seems ranty. I've worked on both ends, so I've had a lot of time to consider it. ;}