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PDF/X1a for Publishing A Workflow Solution

PDF/X1a for Publishing A Workflow Solution. By John Dunn Production Director Wizards of the Coast Periodicals 9/24/01. Who am I? I’m probably a lot like you!. • Production Director for Periodicals Group • 13+ years in print, prepress and advertising production

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PDF/X1a for Publishing A Workflow Solution

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  1. PDF/X1a for PublishingA Workflow Solution By John Dunn Production Director Wizards of the Coast Periodicals 9/24/01

  2. Who am I?I’m probably a lot like you! • Production Director for Periodicals Group • 13+ years in print, prepress and advertising production • 4 years in CTP and digital advertising • Always learning! • “Jack of all Trades” just like you! • Going Gray…no hair loss…yet!

  3. Where am I from? • Wizards of the Coast…”the Pokémon guys” • Producer of TCGs and RPGs • Division of Hasbro, Inc. • Publisher of 4 magazines… - Dragon Magazine Monthly - Dungeon Adventures Bi-Monthly - Star Wars Insider Bi-Monthly - Star Wars Gamer Bi-Monthly

  4. Why PDFX1a to begin with? • SWOP standard file format • Works well within our Printergy workflow • Our advertisers are already asking about PDF • Good fit with our vendor • Easy (sort of) to produce on a Mac workstation

  5. Our Workflow • Art Directors build working files on their desktop with forms corresponding to our form breaks. • Identical folders are built on a 14BG FireWire drive for final files. • As files are finalized they are moved to the FireWire drive. • Production pulls final files over to their FireWire drive as they are completed.

  6. Our Workflow, Part 2 • Production hits application files with FlightCheck. Errors are fixed. • Solid application files are converted to postscript and distilled using Apogee Create. • PDFs are preflown using Enfocus PitStop Server.

  7. Our Workflow, Part 3 • PDFs are converted to PDF/X1a and verified using Apago’s X-Checkup. • Final PDF/X1a files are sent to prepress via server and digital halftone proofs are produced. • Final files on CDs and contract proofs are shipped to printer. Life is sweet, it’s Miller time!

  8. File Preparation Specifics • A preflown, solid application file is a must. If the native file is screwy, your PDF/X1a will be too. Use preflight software! • Take the time to produce bomb proof postscript for each file. • Test your PDF/1as with your vendor to ensure that they work well within their workflow.

  9. Does PDF/X1a Work for Everyone? Possibly not! If your printer’s workflow does not support PDF and they feel that they cannot take the plunge, forcing ANY file format on them is not in their or your best interests!

  10. Some Considerations • What will be “fixed” or gained with a PDF/X1a workflow? • Does your staff have the proper training and understanding of the format to produce locked down PDF/X1as? • Can your printer’s workflow support PDF/X1a? • What will the impact be to your current workflow?

  11. Some Considerations, Part 2 • If going out of house to have PDF/X1as produced, how will this impact the bottom line (and, again, your workflow)? • Do you have the associated software/plug-ins necessary to support your PDF/X1a workflow? • Can your advertisers produce usable PDF/X1as?

  12. A note to publishers... Consider your advertisers! Many advertisers are simply not comfortable submitting files at all, and many are not sophisticated enough to produce verifiable PDF/X1a. Be prepared to work with them and assist by providing resources and advice!

  13. The Three “T”s of a PDF/X1a Workflow: TEST TEST TEST

  14. If you expect success on press... ...know what to expect! Always test until both you, your advertisers and your printer(s) are satisfied with the results.

  15. A closing thought... Look at your PDF/X1a workflow transition as a communal effort…the publisher, the advertiser and the printer. Ensure that *everyone* is on the same sheet of music because what works for one, for your sanity’s sake, HAS to work for all!

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