Press-ready PDFs v. Native Files
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Stephen Marsh
Well-known member
General/Commercial Print? Packaging?
In theory, PDF is preferred, however great PDF tools such as Adobe Acrobat Pro, Enfocus PitStop Pro and Callas PDFtoolbox (and larger PDF workflows such as Kodak Prinergy etc) are around for a very good reason… Not every “print ready PDF” is actually print ready!
Having both native layout files/fonts/links and a final PDF exported using the final printer’s preferred settings has always been my preference (rather than just any old PDF settings).
Stephen Marsh
In theory, PDF is preferred, however great PDF tools such as Adobe Acrobat Pro, Enfocus PitStop Pro and Callas PDFtoolbox (and larger PDF workflows such as Kodak Prinergy etc) are around for a very good reason… Not every “print ready PDF” is actually print ready!
Having both native layout files/fonts/links and a final PDF exported using the final printer’s preferred settings has always been my preference (rather than just any old PDF settings).
Stephen Marsh
Last edited:
That depends on what the files are for.
I work at a small commercial sheetfed printer, and we generally prefer PDF/X-4 files, as they are easy to preflight and it takes care of most the basic problems (missing fonts, and so on).
Until the customer uses us to make changes and correct things in the supplied PDFs, as we are faster and less difficult to deal with (and of course cheaper) than their designers ... but that is a story for another thread.
For packaging I'd guess native files would be better.
I work at a small commercial sheetfed printer, and we generally prefer PDF/X-4 files, as they are easy to preflight and it takes care of most the basic problems (missing fonts, and so on).
Until the customer uses us to make changes and correct things in the supplied PDFs, as we are faster and less difficult to deal with (and of course cheaper) than their designers ... but that is a story for another thread.
For packaging I'd guess native files would be better.
J3_PrintWarrior
Well-known member
It's the same here at my company. But it's not uncommon that PDFs are supplied for both cover and text.
Then there are times where we have to request the native files. Some of the clients just don't have a clue on how to produce PDFs, or produce a PDF correctly. Then there are times where the natives are supplied 3rd party.
In a perfect world I would prefer PDFs. That said, I usually end up working from the native files as we are required to make many changes to customer files to correct bleeds, colors file sizes and more. My previous company went to great pains to educate our customers and supply print specs to fit our needs.
PreFlexoPress
Member
If customers read and followed our supplied art guidelines on how to create print ready pdfs, my answer is pdfs.
But seeing how that will never be reality, my answer is native files 100% of the time.
I would guess we have to manipulate/fix/rebuild over 50% of the customer submitted pdfs. I'm amazed that most of the people supplying us artwork would even refer to themselves as a "graphic artist".
But seeing how that will never be reality, my answer is native files 100% of the time.
I would guess we have to manipulate/fix/rebuild over 50% of the customer submitted pdfs. I'm amazed that most of the people supplying us artwork would even refer to themselves as a "graphic artist".
J3_PrintWarrior
Well-known member
Unfortunately, we're in the printing world.
I know the pains your mentioning. We still can't get some of our clients to match our specs with a detailed step by step screen caption cheat sheet.
That's because anybody with a copy of Photoshop now qualifies as a "graphic artist."
mattbeals
Well-known member
I prefer PDF/X-4. Much can be fixed with tools like PitStop Pro and callas pdfToolbox. But if I can't do it quickly or easily I'll kick it back to you, tell you how to do it right and then move onto the next job. It's nice to have the native files and the PDF but I generally prefer a PDF/X-4.
My one rule for all content whether it be native of PDF is: I ask for final art. If you can't get "final" art to me then don't give it to me until it is final. Final means "final", not "oh yeah, I want to change that...".
My one rule for all content whether it be native of PDF is: I ask for final art. If you can't get "final" art to me then don't give it to me until it is final. Final means "final", not "oh yeah, I want to change that...".
dabob
Well-known member
In this economy I would love to be able to kick the files back and move on - but then reality sets in and I realized that if they can't/won't do it right the first time why does anybody think they would get it right the second, third, or forth time - give me native every time - I spent last week fixing somewhere around a 100 files from three "professional" agencies and just found out this instant that another 30 or so files need "adjusting" including the color in the photoshop images . ..
so in short - give me the native, the fonts, the links
so in short - give me the native, the fonts, the links
iamtall
Member
i wish, i think the prerequisite for calling yourself a graphic designer these days is to own Microsoft Publisher..sad face.
kdw75
Well-known member
Our largest client recently acquired their own ad agency. Unfortunately this "ad agency" doesn't seem to know how to make PDFs without rasterizing all the type to 300 PPI. Our client asked me to call their ad agency and walk them through the process of creating a high quality PDF. Apparently they do all of their design work in Photoshop, and were then flattening it at 300 PPI, and saving as a PDF.
It's galling to think that their graphic design team, who I am certain makes more than I do, can't even make a proper PDF, yet they serve a handful of national clients. They have the design talent, but no technical knowledge.
It's galling to think that their graphic design team, who I am certain makes more than I do, can't even make a proper PDF, yet they serve a handful of national clients. They have the design talent, but no technical knowledge.
You can ask for a small sum to train them to produce proper PDFs. If they prepare everything in Photoshop, then they will have a hard time switching to InDesign or Illustrator. As the learning curve will be steep, you will have a lot of phone calls, follow-up online sessions, etc. In the end it can take months to move them to the right track, a great job from a trainer's view, which needs to be honored.
To the original question: I agree with Matt, you should ask for PDF/X-4 files, as they allow a lot of changes, while retaining the original content. But for the most sophisticated alterations, like trapping, filling up missing bleeds, matching colors across jobs, etc. you will need a high-end software like PitStop Extreme, ArtPro or PackZ. Their associated cost is so high that you might be tempted to ask for the native files instead and struggle with them in Illustrator/Photoshop. Don't be frustrated, BIG international companies doing well using only Illustrator CS3 only for package design.
To the original question: I agree with Matt, you should ask for PDF/X-4 files, as they allow a lot of changes, while retaining the original content. But for the most sophisticated alterations, like trapping, filling up missing bleeds, matching colors across jobs, etc. you will need a high-end software like PitStop Extreme, ArtPro or PackZ. Their associated cost is so high that you might be tempted to ask for the native files instead and struggle with them in Illustrator/Photoshop. Don't be frustrated, BIG international companies doing well using only Illustrator CS3 only for package design.
A high res PDF should do, making sure all text is outlined, sufficient bleed is applied and avoid jpg compression if you want maintain image quality.
Also check with your printer the necessity for things like bleedboxes or trimboxes. If you are working with more than one printer check if they all have the same PDF requirement.
When working with international printers expect to have to send native file to some instead of PDF because of printer’s limitation due to older rips and WOW.
Ultimately, you should always check with your printer/s how they want to receive files if you want them to accurately print you file.
Also check with your printer the necessity for things like bleedboxes or trimboxes. If you are working with more than one printer check if they all have the same PDF requirement.
When working with international printers expect to have to send native file to some instead of PDF because of printer’s limitation due to older rips and WOW.
Ultimately, you should always check with your printer/s how they want to receive files if you want them to accurately print you file.
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