Graphic Design
Before we
begin:
To do
the job right you need to be working with the right tools.
CDman recommends that you use the Adobe design programs as
listed below - FREE 30 day trials of which can be downloaded
from www.adobe.com
Choose one
of the following page layout programs:
Use a
photo/bitmap image
editor:
Word
processor:
- Pretty
much anything that can create your words
Page
layout programs (Illustrator and InDesign) allow the user to open a template file, import
images and text, select from a variety of type fonts and sizes,
column justifications, document formatting, and image linking.
Page layout programs enable designers to produce professional
quality results inexpensively and quickly without the need for
outside typesetting or assistance.
An image
editor (Photoshop) is just as it sounds. Create, modify, size and effect
photo/bitmap images for placement into your page layout program.
Word
editing. While you can create and edit text within page layout
programs, using a word editor speeds the process of typing and
typo fixing since you are working only on the text and ignoring
the formatting.
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CDman
proofs all files on the MAC OS X platform. Customers
submitting jobs using OS9 files are warned to convert
all text to paths and avoid using font files to avoid
possible kerning issues.
Unfortunately we cannot be held responsible for
compatibility issues (old operating systems, platform,
or otherwise). |
Problems
with using Photoshop for text and layout:
Photoshop
is a raster image editing program, not a page layout program.
You can use Photoshop but eventually the file must be placed in
Illustrator or Indesign for proper output to the plate making
machines. Think of PSD files (photoshop) as snap shots and the
page layout program as the photo album that assembles them all
together. Submitting only Photoshop files will result in up
charges.
Photoshop
usually contains bitmap elements (dots on a page) but newer
versions can contain vector based elements (mathematical values
of geometric shapes) these elements enable super high resolution
of the object. Sometimes these elements can get flattened during
transport (file size is reduced) which then renders all vector
based items (including text!) into lower resolution dots (we
usually ask for 300 dpi images). Once this happens changing
paragraphs, text alignment and typos is not possible. If you
keep text vector based, as you would by typing your text
elements in Quark or Illustrator, your result is smooth,
hi-resolution text and not halftones creating the "jaggies"
PROVIDED you send us the font file (small .ttf files that
contain the font shape info).
The
above
image shows text saved at 300 dpi and the same text using vector
mapping.
To retain vector mapping don't flatten the layers or
better yet - use your page layout program to type text
(Illustrator, Indesign)
Photoshop
should only be used for what it is intended - to create photo
images for placement into Quark -however;
What
if you have no access to Illustrator or Indesign? Adobe
provides FREE 30 day trials of these programs from their website
at www.adobe.com
CDman
can accept Photoshop files for $100 additional to the direct to
plate processing charges of your original quote. We will mount
into our templates and advise you of any adjustments or
modifications needed prior to production.
Additional charges for adjustments and layouts over 8 pages.
Problems
with Illustrator
Illustrator
is an Illustration program and not really set up to handle
multi-page booklets and traycard layouts. For single sheet
output like a CD label it is an excellent choice. Features we
enjoy with Illustrator are the layers palette which allows us to
add masks, non-printing comments and guidelines to assist
designers with our templates. Also the ability to work with
compound paths makes CD face design a breeze.
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Tip:
To avoid hassles with fonts during pre-flight, before
you save your files, select all your text and choose the
menu TEXT | CREATE OUTLINES (older versions say create
paths) - to turn all fonts into self contained lines on
the page. When you output your job you will never get a
hold with "font files not found" error
messages. |
One of the
most common mistakes found with Illustrator is that
inexperienced designers PASTE images onto the art board rather
than using the FILE | PLACE command, or they check "include
external files within document" option during saving making
for a hefty bloated Illustrator file that causes all sorts of
delays with the computers while ripping your files.
CDman Does
Not Support "Pagemaker"
Unless you
are using the new version 7 Pagemaker, your frustration and
blood pressure levels will surly be maxed out using Pagemaker.
Adobe seems to have spent all their energy on their new spiffy
program "In-Design" as their answer to page layout
program. This is from their site: Pagemaker is the ideal page
layout program for business, education, and small- and
home-office professionals who want to create high-quality
publications such as brochures and newsletters. We do not accept
Pagemaker files due to a lack of updates and support from Adobe.
InDesign should be considered.
CDman Does Not Support
"Freehand"
Freehand
is an excellent, feature rich page layout program but we do not
use this program in our design center. Any freehand files
submitted should be recent versions. Sorry but we do not have
templates yet for freehand users. Freehand users are asked to
submit press ready PDF files.
Please do
not disguise your file as Illustrator using Freehand's
"save as" option. Freehand users are asked to
submit press ready PDF files.
CDman No
Longer Supports "CorelDraw"
CorelDraw
is a very useful program for designing line/vector art but
that's where our recommendation for it's use stops. We used to
support this program until we started getting complaints with
the quality of the end product. Effects such as drop shadows and
transparencies print very poorly, stray (c) copyright and (p)
publishing marks would disappear, unexplained color shift
between PDF proofing and film output would occur. The list is
lengthy. We just can not guarantee the outcome of this gnarly
beast so we dropped it.
Corel users
are asked to submit press ready PDF files, but be very careful
about the output settings.
What about
PDFs?
We prefer
to have the original layouts in Illustrator (.AI), Indesign (.INDD)
and Photoshop (.PSD) and *not* PDF as pre-flight options
are reduced and checking measurements is not possible. PDFs have
a plethora of options using compression that can cause low
quality printing. We can not adjust your files if you
inadvertently make a layout error. Therefore, PDF files are
accepted but not recommended. Exceptions are reserved for
experienced designers willing to take chances.
What about
"out of the box" CD label programs?
We are
unable to support consumer grade CD design programs such as CD
Stomper, EX CD Creator, etc. -Enough said.
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