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PREPRESS HELP PAGES

Here are some useful tips and information on how to set up your files for trouble free output. Please contact us if you need any further help. We look forward to working with you on your next publication.

Adobe PageMaker 
Make sure your version of PageMaker (6.5x) contains the EPS Font Scanner and Save for Service Provider Plug-ins. They are included on your installation disk and are usually installed by default.

We strongly suggest that you review your program reference guides in conjunction with any instructions you may receive on our site. Look for information under Printing, Printing to disk (PostScript), Preparing files for a service bureau or service provider, Preparing documents for High Resolution Imagesetting.

Before working with and creating PostScript print-to-disk (PTD) or Acrobat PDF files it is imperative that you be familiar with your applications, how to print, and have a good general working knowledge of your computer and its operating system.

1. With your document opened within PageMaker, select the EPS Font Scanner... from PageMaker Plug-ins under the Utilities menu. Click On, and then click OK.
2. Select Links... from under the File menu. This will also show you what graphic elements are imported into the publication. Verify that all the graphics being used are available and links are intact. If the publication cannot locate the original graphic there will be a ? in front of its name. Double click on Document name and find and select the graphic.
3. Next, print a proof of the file to insure all fonts and graphics are in order
4. If you are sending us files for separations you must also print out proofs of each plate. This will allow you to see if knockouts and trapping in your file are ok.
5. A warning dialog box will appear if fonts are missing. If these warnings appear click Do Not Print. Install the missing fonts on your system and try again.
6. Send these proofs to us with your job. If we do not have your proofs we cannot insure your job is output correctly.

1. With your document opened within PageMaker, select the Save for Service Provider from PageMaker Plug-ins under the Utilities menu. The Summary dialog box opens. To work on the active publication click on Preflight Pub.
2. Click Fonts, Links, Printing, or Colors to see a detailed report on that aspect of the publication or PostScript file. You can print the status information by clicking Print at any time.
3. If the Links dialog box shows one or more linked files needing attention, click Relink or Relink All, and navigate to the correct image files.
4. Save the publication, click Package, and set options as follows:
   -From the Report Type pop-up menu, choose Text only (for an ASCII text-only file).
   -Select Update Links to bring out-of date links up-to-date in the original publication before making a package.
   -For Include, select Copy Fonts to avoid missing fonts at print time, and then select All.
5. Specify a location in which to save all necessary files and click Save to copy the necessary files to the destination folder.

1. You must insure that you have a valid PostScript printer driver (For Macs: LaserWriter or PSPrinter driver 8.x For Windows95 and NT: Adobe 4.1 Print Driver). Be sure to select this PostScript printer driver before continuing.
2. Be sure the correct PPD is installed in your computer (click on the Printer Drivers section from the menu on the left to obtain the correct drivers and PPDs).
3. Choose Print from the File menu and select the correct PPD for our imagesetters (Agfa Accuset 800).
4. Click Document to display the Print Document options (the button should actually be greyed, this should be the screen already up). Make sure copies are set correctly - this usually is set to 1. If selected, deselect Collate, Reverse, and Proof options. Under the Pages section set the options as you require. In most cases you should not change the Orientation.
5. Click on Color. Make sure Mirror and Negative are not checked. If your job is black and white, you don't need to do anything else here except make sure that Composite is selected (if you need you can set your screen frequency here too).
6. If you are producing separations (CYMK or spot color) select Separations and set up your separations as you would normally. Make sure you eliminate unused or unneeded colors otherwise you may be charged for unnecessary plates. Select your optimized screen settings, making sure you select the correct dpi (usually 1200, 1800, or 2400).
7. Click Options, and then click Write PostScript to File. Choose Normal. Accept the default name and location, or type a new name in the edit box. Select Include downloadable fonts - downloading both PostScript and TrueType fonts. Select Extra Image Bleed. Do not select Include PostScript error handler. Select Send Binary Image Data from the pop-up menu.
8. Click Paper. If you need them select Printer's marks and Page information. Set tiling to None and Scale to 100% (if this is your desired final size). Now access the Size pull down menu, picking custom as the paper size - this will bring up the Custom Paper Size window. The sizes present in the boxes should allow all marks and images to fit - Do Not change them. If your document is letter size (8.5"x11") or smaller click on Transverse orientation - otherwise leave as Normal. Click OK.
9. Now you should click Save to save your publication as a PostScript print-to-disk file.

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Copyright © 1994 Marrakech Inc. All rights reserved.
Revised: April 24, 2001