NOTE: Native Application Output - Some applications have options to export directly to PDF. Although these work satisfactorily for general PDF creation - it is advisable not to use these for press-ready PDF creation. The preferred method is to print directly to a postscript file and then to pass the postscript file through Acrobat distiller.
1. Pre-flight your native document - as with standard output for commercial printing please ensure that all colour images are converted to CMYK. For A4 layouts please ensure 3mm bleeds all round.
2. Correct settings for Postscript Output - for optimal PDF compliant postscript output please ensure then following;
a For Acrobat 4.0 and higher use the Adobe PostScript printer driver (AdobePS™) and the Acrobat
Distiller PostScript Printer Description (PPD) file supplied on the Acrobat CD. (If your are using Acrobat 3 please see 'Checking your Acrobat Distiler PPD')
b) Ensure that all PostScript Type 1 and TrueType fonts are saved with the postscript file. If you distill from a saved EPS file please note that QuarkXPress® 4.0x and earlier does not include document fonts when you save as EPS files to ensure correct font handling always distill from postscript.
3. Setting up Distiller - Ensure that the 'Job Options' selector in Distiller's opening window is set to 'PressOptimised'. To manually check and adjust Distillers press 'Command-J' (MAC) or 'Control-J' (Windows) - this brings up the 'Job Options' dialog. Use the five tabs along the top of the dialog to review Distillers settings.
General - Ensure 'Optimised PDF' is ticked.
Colour Bitmap: Bicubic Downsample - 300dpi - Compression: Auto - Quality : MaxGreyscale Bitmap: Bicubic Downsample - 300dpi - Compression: Auto - Quality : Max
Mono Bitmap: Bicubic Downsample - 600dpi - Compression: CCITT Group 4
Ensure 'Compress Text and Line Art' is ticked
Font - Ensure 'Embed All Fonts' is ticked. Ensure that 'Subset All Embedded Fonts' is ticked and set to 100%. Set 'When Embedding fails' to 'Cancel Job' - this ensure that you are made aware if any missing font issues arrise during the creation of the PDF.
Colour - Ensure 'Leave Colours Unchanged' is ticked. Ensure that 'Preserve Overprint Settings' is ticked.
Advance - No items need be ticked on this tab page.