I did some pro bono design work the other day and created a 4C 8.5x11 tri-fold brochure. I contacted the printer I was told to send it to and asked what specs they wanted (What flavor of PDF/X, ICC profile, etc.). They told me all they needed was the native source docs. I told them I could provide the native docs but I prefer they use the PDF/X I would be supplying. The proof they sent back to me was made from my native doc (I could tell because I used a spot build in my InDesign doc which I specifically converted to process in my PDF. The proof they sent back showed a 5th color. The proof made no sense for a 4C digital job). For me, this is an ideal candidate. I've already spoken to them about testing and they're interested.
im curious if the workorder spec'd this was a 4c process job, or the prepress guy gave you a proof with the spot build because thats how the doc was built. usually if you go through the trouble of specifying a spot color in a document, converting it to CMYK for final output is self-defeating.
perhaps the prepress guy was doing his job correctly, and gave you a proof based on the intention of the native file.
Hi delooch,
The workorder was spec'd as 4 C process. All he did was create a low res PDF from my Indesign file. I suppose that would work for position only but I thought it was somewhat useless. The only logo I was provided for the design was a process CMYK JPG. I grabbed the color and added it as swatch in InDesign. I wanted to add some tints to the design. This is where I had one of those "What was I thinking" moments. For some reason, I had in my mind I needed to make the color a spot with a process build to get the tints. Maybe I'm thinking back to Quark 4 or something crazy like that. So I made it a spot and converted it to process when making my PDF. After the fact I realized I didn't have to do that.
On a side note, the job came out great. They did a nice job with the skin tones.
@Joe - good memory, that's me.
Greg
