Does anyone know how to output a Word doc that has different page sizes (a step book) into a pdf?
I may ask for a pdf but knowing the customer it could be a problem.
At a glance, make a bunch of separate pdfs to get the sizes right then combine the pdfs?
I think you should be able to export a PDF directly from Word.
;D You guys are just like me, Silly Prepressers!!
I figured it out, from acro go to the tools screen/show all tools and select Create pdf.
select the word doc and then create, I got the step book in the correct sizes!!
:)) You were ready for a nasty battle weren't you?
;D I have never created a pdf like that before, Holy cow is that good info.
trying to get a pdf out of word with 25 different page sizes would not work
I could only pick one size, and that would cause more work then it already is!
you would think it would be easier.
Once upon a time I had a script authored in Acrobat Actions that took a document, regardless of number of pages and sizes, and resized them all to 8.5 x 11. I think I still had to manually go through it and rotate some pages, tho. I don't know if I remember how to tell you how to create it either; it involved editing an Action.
Quite Imposing does that quite well. But if you don't have it you can't use it I suppose. (duh).
You just change the page size to 8.5x11 and scale to fit all pages into that size.
Yeah I could of done that in word, but it was a step book, so that would of created lots more work
it already is a lot of work, bad file, fixing bleeds and pretty much 25 layouts.
I use to use quite imposing, awesome program!
Most of the time when we do stepdowns we just leave them at 8.5x11 and make sure everything is aligned to the top, then just impo as 8.5x11 so we don't need a bunch of different layouts.
(This really only works if the number of stepdowns don't affect the possible number out on the sheet.)
It's pretty much or even exactly the same pressheet you end up with going through all the hassle of mulitsizing :thumbsup:
would be nice, but I have to fix the step tab on every page as they are not in the correct position
I don't get that good of files ;D
So at least you don't have to overkill it by extending stepped bars 1/32" so they lap under the bar before it 8)
actually I do that :angel:
I'm tedious that way ;D
And bindery thanks you 8)
Quote from: born2print on March 16, 2023, 02:10:25 PMAnd bindery thanks you 8)
Nobody thanks prepress. Only blames prepress.
Aint that the truth.
And when we point out that we have just saved their nuts from being cut off, we are told that it is our job to do that.
I don't save anyones nuts now, those $#%&ers are on their own
Yeah, also true unfortunately.
The plant tried to acknowledge "saves" by employees - which on the surface seems nothing but good right?
Well, I catch an error = no spoiled product / $0 / it's just my job.
Someone stuffing boxes catches the same error = the job is already ruined / negotiate with client $ / they're a hero and get a parade in their honor.
Every time someone screws up, the "fix" is always in prepress to add a checklist or something. The "check your work before you pass it on" step is never assigned to the actual offender. Pisses me off constantly because I ALWAYS check my work. And the times I've gotten burned were the times I got complacent and didn't check myself.
Digital Press Op ran a few thousand pieces of VDP this week, the 1/4" border solid black. Except the lasers clearly showed it was supposed to be a rainbow-patterned type of thing. The black was UNDER the intended pattern, but had some weird-ass mask or overprint or who-knows-what that the RIP flattened badly. Only thing that saved it going into the mail was a CSR saw those sheets (already trimmed) and yanked it. Still waiting for the "Why didn't Prep catch it?" shoe to drop & there WILL be shouting. Film to come. ::)
Quote from: Slappy on March 18, 2023, 03:34:11 PMDigital Press Op ran a few thousand pieces of VDP this week, the 1/4" border solid black. Except the lasers clearly showed it was supposed to be a rainbow-patterned type of thing. The black was UNDER the intended pattern, but had some weird-ass mask or overprint or who-knows-what that the RIP flattened badly. Only thing that saved it going into the mail was a CSR saw those sheets (already trimmed) and yanked it. Still waiting for the "Why didn't Prep catch it?" shoe to drop & there WILL be shouting. Film to come. ::)
I do not miss waking up at 3:00 am worrying about things like this.
Quote from: Slappy on March 18, 2023, 03:34:11 PMDigital Press Op ran a few thousand pieces of VDP this week, the 1/4" border solid black. Except the lasers clearly showed it was supposed to be a rainbow-patterned type of thing. The black was UNDER the intended pattern, but had some weird-ass mask or overprint or who-knows-what that the RIP flattened badly. Only thing that saved it going into the mail was a CSR saw those sheets (already trimmed) and yanked it. Still waiting for the "Why didn't Prep catch it?" shoe to drop & there WILL be shouting. Film to come. ::)
Is the digital press op looking for work? They should be. Fuck all the noise; there was a signed off proof, and if it didn't match, it's their ass.
Honestly, I don't think anybody in Mgmt even knew it happened. The Admins are *supposed* to fill out a Spoilage Report but I think they've gotten lax. They guy has worked for us forever, this press is moderately knew to him but ffs, that's a fair amount of waste.
Holy cow! when you make a pdf from Word through Acro like described above
the black text comes out cmyk black and not RGB!!
I'll be making all my Word pdfs like this from now on
I have been using this for all my Word docs, and I used it for a powerpoint file yesterday too
It makes a way better pdf than from the app, not sure if it is in the settings, but I do see an advanced settings
but all my text is coming out 100% K
This is like a Microsoft miracle worker ;D
Screen Shot 2023-04-14 at 8.20.48 AM.png
I upload to Zamzar.com to convert Microsoft crap to PDF. Seems to give me better results that match whatever the client sees, especially since people using Word are likely using Windows and there are often font discrepancies.
I will try that if I have an issue, so far this makes a far better pdf than from Word on a Mac
agreed about the Windows Word files can get weird on a Mac
Quote from: Tracy on April 14, 2023, 10:44:15 AMI will try that if I have an issue, so far this makes a far better pdf than from Word on a Mac
agreed about the Windows Word files can get weird on a Mac
Yep. Sometimes I ask the CSR to make the pdf instead of passing me the .docx and tickety-boo it just goes through.
Tickety Boo!
I TOTALLY forgot about Zamzar. Lately I've been using Google Docs and exporting directly to pdf.
I like to use Qoppa PDF Studio Pro for that it works out ok, if they use the regular schmaltz fonts that aren't embedded I then embedd with Callas PDFToolbox.
These are stupid challenges that ignorant customers send us, and they want it cheap and right. LOL. I always maintain that if you want the best price, get the file right make it really print ready. Single pages with bleed no marks, make all black good ole K, at least 225 dpi pics (300 for the discerning "Designers"). Oh make spot colors spot and consistent, but I repeat myself. I spend more time fixing crappy files than I care to think about.
I send brutal (in friendliest terms possible) emails about what we did, what's wrong with the file, then, as if Houdini "Please let us know when the job is approved to print", LOL, it's crazy. I never would let out 95% of the work that comes to me. I heard an interview with a guy who produced, recorded and engineered orchestras and he said he spends 80% fixing files from people who should know better. I found a l of peace with that!