Creating Print Friendly Files

• Vector Complexity
• Bitmap Size
• Fonts
• Color
• Trapping and Overprinting
• Native File vs Printer File
• Print Preview

Vector Complexity

The more complex vector graphics in a document are, the more likely you are to have problems at print time. These problems can range from limitcheck errors, to extreme RIP times. Your desktop printer or Service Bureau can assist to a certain degree by using the latest version of PostScript (each new PS version vastly improves on the last in terms of productivity), but there are relatively simple ways to save yourself some dough and grief.

• Avoid 'hiding' complex graphics behind other objects. The nature of PS is that it will still be sent to through the RIP, then covered.
• If you have objects off the printable page on the program desktop, delete them before printing. They too will be processed then ignored as being outside the printable area.
• Use as few nodes as possible in a vector graphic. The tiniest details may not even be noticeable on the final output, so remove that detail beforehand and save yourself some RIP time.
• Avoid placing many lenses overtop of each other or overtop of a single bitmap. This vastly increases the complexity of a file. Combine or weld similar lenses into a single object to vastly improve printing time and spool size.
• If you are using a lot of fountain fills on small objects, consider reducing the number of steps to reduce RIP time. For smaller objects, much fewer steps may be employed to achieve exactly the same look. Or use CorelDRAW's Optimize fountain fill feature.
• Limit your use of PS fills, they really increase the number of nodes in a PS file.
• Try not to embed EPS within EPS within EPS. It is far more efficient to have one EPS of native objects then a web of embedded EPSs. Postscript must save and restore every time it encounters an embedded EPS. Too many levels of embedded EPS files will exceed set PostScript limits and cause errors.
• When outputting to an imagesetter, the dpi need not exceed 16 times the line screen. Anything above that is a waste of your time.

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2. Bitmap Size

There is a physical limit to what detail can be viewed at different line screens. Excessively large bitmaps are both unnecessary and inefficient in output and saved file size.

• Crop the bitmap to the specific area that will be displayed in PHOTO-PAINT, then import to DRAW. You will have eliminated all extra information that way.
• Do not import a bitmap into DRAW and resize smaller. You are getting no benefit from having a smaller bitmap. The bitmap should be resampled smaller to reduce its size in memory and on the RIP.
• Bitmap resolution need not be any greater then 2xline screenxscaling factor. You will not see any difference on output above this, but you will see increased RIP times and file size. The same theory governs texture fills.
• Service Bureaus likely offer OPI services. If you plan on placing and making minor transformations to your scanned bitmap, have the SB pass you a low res version. Import with OPI links and use the low res version and output with OPI links on. This will reduce the file size you need to lug around. If you are using large bitmaps, but not going to a SB, consider linking to the bitmap externally.

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3. Fonts

Fonts are often downloaded to the output device. This takes up space and RIP time.

• Avoid using many different fonts, it is preferable to use different sizes of a couple fonts so that the PS does not contain a lot of font information (usually looks better as well).
• Embed fonts in a CDR if you are not sure that the SB has them.
• Avoid using outlines on fonts, they are RIP intensive.
• Be sure to install printers AFTER installing ATM when using Type 1 fonts to avoid font appearance problems.

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4. Color

When designing there are colors that look nice, and there are colors that print nice. This has little to do with efficient file size or RIP times, and everything to do with getting what you expect from a file.

• Use the CMYK color model when designing for print. RGB, Lab and others have a much larger gamut and require color conversions to convert to the relatively small CMYK color space and you will loose some color (obviously). Designing in the model that is used to print will assure the best possible predictability.
• Don't misuse spot colors. The spot colors in DRAW and PHOTO-PAINT are used to create jobs of less then 4 colors, or to enhance a job with a very specific color for a logo or graphic. Every spot color will add another plate to your job at print time. If a SB sees more then a couple spot colors in your job, they will have to contact you to ask about them and convert them to CMYK for output. This costs money.
• Drop shadows and lenses are rendered as a process color bitmap. Placing them over spot colors is not suggested as the printer will be left with the task of trying to match CMYK with a spot ink seamlessly.
• Hexachrome is an expensive 6 color process that contains an extremely large gamut. If you use this, check with your SB about high density inks. If they use them, you should use that option in DRAW and PHOTO-PAINT to avoid clogging the presses.
• Work with color simulation of the printer ON to avoid unpleasant color discoveries later.
• Select a profile for your specific device. These profiles contain information on the color capabilities of the specific device and will give you a more accurate preview of your document.

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5. Trapping and Overprinting

It is best to leave this to the professionals. If you are not sure how trapping or overprinting works or should be applied, attempting to set the values may only frustrate the Service Bureau and cost you in prep time and wasted film.

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6. Native File vs Printer File

It is obviously the best choice to pass off a cdr or cpt, but where that is not impossible, you may have to give the service bureau a prn file. Problems here will result in you having to resend another prn and have to pay for time that resulted in no output.

• Be sure to find out what driver and/or file format(s) the SB would like you to use.
• Check that the PS level the SB wants is the setting you have made in CorelDRAW/Corel PHOTO-PAINT's Print dialog. Sending newer PS code to older RIPS will lead to errors.
• Turn On DSC compliance if the SB is planning on using 3rd party apps to post process you file.

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7. Print Preview

Try giving an important print job a look in Print Preview. This may help you to avoid obvious errors and reprints.

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