FAQ - questions you need answering

What is a PDF? Portable Document Format.
A digital file format developed by Adobe to be compact, cross-platform and capable of containing both graphics and text. This makes it ideal for the distribution of files within the print publishing market.

How do I create a pass4press file?
Either by following the guidelines in this brochure or by using an accredited workflow system that is capable of producing PDF files which conform to the pass4press version 7 standard.

What should I do if I haven’t got the software listed in this brochure?
If you have older versions of software, such as Quark XPress 4.11 or Adobe InDesign 2.0.2, you can still print a PostScript file that can then be distilled using Adobe Distiller 7 Professional and will conform to the passpress version 7 guidelines. Acrobat Distiller 6 can also create PDF/X files, as originally outlined in last year’s pass4press version 5 specifi cation. Updated guidelines on how to use Distiller 6 to create a pass4press version 7 PDF/X – and also for printing PostScript files from older applications – will be made available on the website, www.pass4press.com. It is strongly recommended that the newer, compliant applications are used. Check with your pre-press supplier or printer for more details.

Why can’t I supply a native Quark XPress or Adobe InDesign file?
Fonts are not embedded in these files, which means that as well as there being font legality issues, unpredictable results may occur. However, using the methods described in this brochure, you can export a PDF directly from InDesign or create a PostScript file from XPress that will adhere to the pass4press version 6 standard.

Can I use CID fonts?
CID fonts were originally developed by Adobe to better handle the large character sets of Asian and Cyrillic languages. They can be found in PDF files that have been created by various applications. These fonts are perfectly legal and suitable in PDF files, although some older applications (and a few newer ones) are not capable of handling these fonts correctly. If you modify or process PDF files you should verify that the tools you are using are capable of properly handling CID fonts.

Why can’t I use multiple master fonts?
Multiple Master fonts are incompatible with the majority of RIP devices currently in use, so should be avoided.

Do I need to supply a proof with my PDF?
Yes. Proofs must be 100 per cent of the final output size and created from the actual PDF being submitted. Proofs must not be produced from the original application files as the result will not accurately reflect the final print file.

Can I supply any type of proof?
No, the proof should be an approved colour contract proof that builds in dot gain and represents the printing colour space.

Will the PDF print as it views on screen?
No, not always. This is why it is essential that a proof is produced from the PDF file and that the proof is ripped according to the Ghent output test suite.You can however use the viewing tools of Adobe Acrobat 7 professional to get advanced warning of typical overprint or separation issues.

What is a PDF/X file?
PDF/X is a focused subset of PDF designed for reliable pre-press interchange. PDF/X is also an application standard that defines how applications creating and reading PDF/X files should behave. PDF/X is now the recommended PDF format for the UK, providing that all the pass4press parameters such as resolution and maximum ink density have been conformed to. The Output Intent should be set to the CMYK colour space that you intend to print in.

Can I create a pass4press version 7 file using Microsoft Windows?
Yes, settings for applications on a PC are virtually identical and guidelines and will be posted in PDF format on the website, www.pass4press.com, in the near future.

Why you need to set the trapping flag within your PDF?
When creating a pass4press version 7 PDF in Acrobat Distiller one of the options is to set the values for Trapping. The pass4press version 7  specification recommends that this must be set to True if you have either already applied trapping or if you do not wish to have any trapping applied. This flag must otherwise be set to False. Bear in mind that when creating a composite (rather than a separated) PostScript file from Quark XPress it will not include any trapping information, but all overprint and knockout informations set with the the trapping dialogue box will be retained. We recommend in this case that the flag is set to False. However, some PDF workflow systems may generate files which incorporate trapping information and should therefore set the flag to True. Note that if the fl ag is set to False it does not necessarily mean that any other party, such as the pre-press house or printer, will apply trapping at a later stage.

How do I fix trim boxes?
PDF files contain invisible boxes which defi ne the geometry of the page. Applications like Quark XPress and Adobe InDesign CS all create and handle trim boxes correctly as long as the guidelines outlined in this document are followed. These boxes need to be present and defined correctly in order for processes such as automatic page positioning to work.

How do I avoid problems with transfer functions?
When saving to a Photoshop EPS or DCS file, you are presented with buttons that give options including halftone screens and transfer functions. All of these buttons should be left off unless they are specifically required for your job – check with your printer or pre-press supplier. When using the pass4press Acrobat Distiller 7.0 settings, any halftone, screening, orientation, or background information will be removed in the distilling process, but transfer curves will be applied. It is strongly recommended not to use transfer functions as a means of applying colour corrections or special effects within images as there are better methods available.