If the original file is PDF open it in Acrobat Pro or DC, hit Edit PDF, select the pic and Edit Original. This should import into PShop with ACR followed by some alphanumeric as a file name, change the colour mode to CMYK mode and tweak curves as required then simply Save and Close. The file should then be reimported into your PDF as CMYK.

Amazing pics on Diddler's insta page!

Sounds like the old MetalFX (do a net search). In practice you lay the metallic down first and overprint with CMYK. If you've a 5 or a 6 colour press this can be done inline, of course you do need the appropriate tack graded metallic ink, normal metallics don't 'trap' the subsequent inks correctly, that's trap as in ink lift, not as in pre-press trapping. Or maybe you could print the metallic first (no sealer varnish or aqueous seal) and then overprint the CMYK when its dry.

Thanks for the feedback guys! I'll mull it over for a while and as soon as the head honcho makes a decision you'll be the first to know. ;-)

Hi Joe

Windoze ...argh! OK I was under the impression that Kodak compressed the files using some proprietary encryption (that's the way I would have done it to tie users in). Of course retrieval does bring all working files that were stored for that one job but I was thinking more in terms of extracting all files to a secondary drive.

Don't get me wrong, I think the Workshop/Preps/Insite workflow is cool...but the powers that be are looking to cut costs again. I know that may come as a surprise given the buoyant state of the print industry (that was irony by the way), but there you go, c'est la vie.

Thanks for your input.

Yo pre-pressers! Yep still trapped in the hamster wheel!

Here's some queries you might be kind enough to give guidance on...

The company is currently considering moving away from Kodak's workflow as the CEO thinks that it's overkill now that we have outed our litho facility (although keeping our NexPress digital press)

Q: In Kodak Workshop is there any method to retrieve all archived artwork rather than the max amount of 5 files per Retrieve?

Q: What recommendations would you have for a Adobe Print Engine RIP with imposition and maybe softproofing similar to Insite?

Also, it must be a non-subscription pricing structure and cheaper than Kodaks offering.

Thank you kind sirs, ladies and other non-specified genders.

Early Xmas present ...

Acrobat Action to set Page Boxes to Zero and Save File. I use this all the time for our NexPress instead of Kodak's Geometry Editor.

Open Acrobat goto Action Manager, select Import, choose the attached file and that should become available in the Actions list

Try adding a watermark in Acrobat Pro,

Open the PDF file in Acrobat.
Click Tools and click Pages.
Click Watermark and select Add Watermark.
The Add Watermark window opens.
Type a period (or any other character) in the Text text box.
Drag the Opacity slider to 0%
Save the file (as a copy)

Thanks! The pace here alternates between 'blowing out of one's ass' (lovely old English euphemism for working very hard indeed) and tumbleweed junction ...as I'm currently experiencing.

Still mustn't grumble, could be worse ... I could be sitting on a beach sipping ice cool champagne watching the waves caressing nubile, tanned thighs of the opposite gender.

How about you check your System Preferences > Displays - the monitors are numbered, could be you assigned your second monitor as 1

There's a free script called Indy Number Generator that should perform that function...

http://www.indystimer.com/www/generator/

Thanks for the advice... (I can see arm twisting in my future) and thanks for the welcome back...I feel as tho' I've never been away.

Hi guys! Yes, still not dead, still in print.

Got my walking papers in Nov (company needed my salary back in their cashflow to keep going) but landed a new job as ***roll of drums*** repro support...I must've been bad in a former life.

Anyways, looking for advice in dealing with that old favourite 4 col Blacks... company doesn't have Pitstop but runs Kodak Workshop/Prinergy Version: 8.0.0.666 - is there a smarter way to convert 4 colour text other than using Acrobat Pro Convert Cols? This works fine for non PDFx files but is a bit inconsistent to say the least.

Hope you all still enjoying the wonderful wacky world of pre-press hell (ninth circle, you know the one with CSRs wielding pitchforks and being constantly stabbed in the ass)

Ciao and TIA from the UK

I knew I could depend on you guys, I'm touched ('easily and frequently'... according to my wife) by the fact that I'm remembered.

Anyway **sniff sniff**, harrumph **man up!**.....Screen or and AGFA (aka Screen) seems to be the way to go. Anyone heard of a Founder Eagle RIP?

Just for your info...I was due to retire in Nov and was looking forward to it...however, in the course of human events and to my everlasting gratitude I was invited to continue as ops manager, print estimator, delivery man, tea boy and **roll of drums** prepress tech support ... Yay!

So all that balls in the air stuff is (or should be) what we Brits call 'a piece of piss', to an old, gnarled, 40yrs- in- the- trade git like me.

Yo prepress heroes! After a substantial absence from the unsung area of print,I'm sort of back in the saddle, leastways until I get to retire. (Should've retired last year but popular demand has kept me employed...I'm estimating and operations manager now, so a step up or sideways from sales).

Had a cataclysmic electronic meltdown across several machines last week...basically anything with a cpu and power supply unit got fried...that included our 4 up Acento CTP. Having to outsource plates until the insurance dudes deny our claim (fingers crossed they don't!)

Gulp...so now we need to replace it but rather than jump in with both boots I though I'd ask the guys that really know...
...so, what's the best combo of CTP & Workflow? What would you recommend if your were spending your  $ / £ / €?

Heidelberg B2 5 col CD and coater is the end device. We run from very lightweight to heavy carton stock. Currently, 2400 @200lpi and/or FM screening.

Man! It's good to be back!