Fan of creative technology, elearning, instructional design and a little geeky

PDF or Native Files? On the soapbox…

February 2, 2007 Leave a Comment Written by Cari Jansen

Ok, after the previous post I could not resist the following ‘soapbox’ speech 🙂

I believe that any organisation accepting digital artwork into its print production workflow (be it offset printing, label printing, screen printing, large format, sign writing etc.), would benefit from being able to handle artwork based on delivery of PDF files.. However, that is Utopianly-speaking.

Reality begs to differ… In the year 2007, a year in which technology will, without a doubt, further progress, organisations continue to request delivery of packaged native files over PDFs. Technological progression is unstoppable and I believe that in order for organisations to survive a highly competitive market, one must join-in with this progression…Microsoft’s recent Vista release, Apple’s plans for the release of Leopard, Adobe’s public release of Photoshop CS3 beta are all part of this progression…

Wouldn’t it be easier for an organisation to invest in a PDF workflow?

Oooh, and preferably one with support for Live Transparency 🙂

  • Wouldn’t it be less costly to implement a workflow that only handles one file format? No need for multiple preflight applications or manual checking of files in native applications? No requirement for multiple imposition applications, or worse time-consuming manual impositioning, that could introduce output errors, that result in time consuming work-arounds as way of fixing errors that wouldn’t have been introduced otherwise? Or… recreating supplied artwork in earlier version applications so your workflow can handle the files?
  • Wouldn’t it be a great service to your clients to be able to support processing of PDF files generated from the most commonly used graphics applications in the world? (Yep, I’m referring to Adobe software here). Not having to ask them to change their files so your workflow can handle them?
  • Wouldn’t it be great to invest some time (and money) in teaching your clients about best practice for PDF delivery to your organisation? Your client’s will love you forever 🙂 and provide you with continuous business, rather than searching for another organisation that CAN handle their native files without all the dramas. next time they created artwork for print output.

Alright… I better stop whilst I’m ahead and step off my soapbox … back to ground level 🙂

PDF, Print Technology
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