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- Before You Begin
- OS X Instructions
- OS 9 Instructions
- Adobe Acrobat Distiller
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Pagemaker
- QuarkXPress
PDF Guide
BEFORE YOU BEGINPlease download our Advertiser Kit, which contains the essential files needed to output a proper PDF/X-1a format file.
Ensure that you have downloaded and installed the DDAPv3 PPD, which can be found in the Time Inc. - Advertiser Kit.
For OS X installations, you may store the DDAPv3 PPD in either of the following directories:
PPD Setup
Open the Printer Setup Utility from the Utilities folder in OS X.
Click on the Add icon.
For Printer Type, select IP Printing
When selecting fonts, ensure that only PostScript Type 1 fonts are used.
Application
Check colors, type styles, and images.
Ensure that spot colors are only defined for items intened to be separated as spot.
Ensure that no artificial type styles are used.
Ensure that all images are high resolution and all links are updated as necessary.
OutputPrint PostScript file (See Application instructions for help with generation of PostScript file).
Distill PostScript file to PDF (For preflighting as well as file sumbission, we recommend that you create a high-resolution PDF file from the PostScript file).
View PDF after distilling and ensure that all elements are present. If possible, check the file using preflight software.
Send file to Time Inc. Ad Production Staff.
Ensure that you have downloaded and installed Adobe PS Driver, DDAPv3 PPD, and DDAP Optimizedv5 Distiller Options, which can be found in the Time Inc. - Advertiser Kit.
General GuidelinesBelow you will find the general guidelines for creating files that are approved for submission when working in Mac OS 9.
FontsWe recommend the use of font management software such as Adobe ATM Deluxe or Extensis Suitcase
When selecting fonts, ensure that only PostScript Type 1 fonts are used.
Application
Check colors, type styles, and images.
Ensure that spot colors are only defined for items intened to be separated as spot.
Ensure that no artificial type styles are used.
Ensure that all images are high resolution and all links are updated as necessary.
OutputPrint PostScript file (See Application instructions for help with generation of PostScript file)
Distill PostScript file to PDF (For preflighting as well as file sumbission, we recommend that you create a high-resolution PDF file from the PostScript file.)
View PDF after distilling and ensure that all elements are present. If possible, check the file using preflight software.
Send file to Time Inc. Ad Production Staff.
Ensure that you have downloaded and installed the DDAP Distiller Options, which can be found within the Time Inc. - Advertiser Kit.
Launch DistillerIn the Job Options menu, ensure that DDAPOptimized2 settings are selected.
Select your PostScript file you would like to distill.
Drag and drop the PostScript file into the lower section of the Acrobat Distiller pallete.
Open the PDF file that has been outputted from Acrobat Distiller.
Ensure that all components of the file are correct, such as image resolution, fonts, word wrap, trim, bleed, etc.
Preflight Output PDFIf you successfully received a PDF, it should be a PDF/X-1a compliant file. Nevertheless, Time Inc. recommends that the file undergo preflighting prior to submitting.
Ensure that you have downloaded and installed the DDAP Optimizedv5 Distiller Options, which can be found within the Time Inc. - Advertiser Kit.
Launch DistillerIn the Job Options menu, ensure that DDAPOptimizedv5 is selected.
Select your PostScript file you would like to distill.
Drag and drop the PostScript file into the lower section of the Acrobat Distiller pallete.
Open the PDF file that has been outputted from Acrobat Distiller.
Ensure that all components of the file are correct, such as image resolution, fonts, word wrap, trim, bleed, etc.
Under the File menu, choose Document Setup and ensure that the dimensions are correct.
If needed, change the document size and move the ad file to the middle of the new document.
Ensure that the trim and bleed sizes are correct while you have the file open.
Ensure that all marks are correct and that they are outside of the image area.
Check The Colors Used
Select the Swatches Pallete in Illustrator and ensure that all colors not intended to separate as a spot color are set to separate as a process color equivalent.
All colors not intended to separate as a spot are defined as CMYK and the Color Type is Process.
Scroll through the colors and see if the intended spot colors are set to spot and the intended ones are converted to process.
Double-click on a color to edit it.
Under the File menu, choose Save As...
Select Adobe PDF in the Format option, as shown below.
Name your PDF file and click Save.
Once you have named your PDF file, you will then be prompted to select the PDF settings.
Select [PDF/X-1a:2001] from the Adobe PDF Preset option, as shown below.
Simply click on the Save PDF button.
Under the File menu, choose Document Setup and ensure that the dimensions are correct.
If needed, change the document size and move the ad file to the middle of the new document.
Ensure that the trim and bleed sizes are correct while you have the file open.
Ensure that all marks are correct and that they are outside of the image area.
Check The Colors Used
Select the Swatches Pallete in Illustrator and ensure that all colors not intended to separate as a spot color are set to separate as a process color equivalent.
All colors not intended to separate as a spot are defined as CMYK and the Color Type is Process.
Scroll through the colors and see if the intended spot colors are set to spot and the intended ones are converted to process.
Double-click on a color to edit it.
Under the File menu, choose Save As...
Select Adobe PDF in the Format option, as shown below.
Name your PDF file and click Save.
Once you have named your PDF file, you will then be prompted to select the PDF settings.
Select [PDF/X-1a:2001] from the Adobe PDF Preset option, as shown below.
Simply click on the Save PDF button.
Ensure that you have downloaded and installed Adobe PS Driver and DDAPv3 PPD, which can be found in the Time Inc. - Advertiser Kit.
Check The Page SizeUnder the File menu, choose Document Setup and ensure that the dimensions are correct.
If needed, change the document size and move the ad file to the middle of the new document.
Ensure that the trim and bleed sizes are correct while you have the file open.
Ensure that all marks are correct and that they are outside of the image area.
Check Print Settings
In the Document Setup pallete, select Printing & Export from the drop-down menu.
Set the Output Resolution to 2400 dpi.
In the Options section, ensure that Use Printer's Default Screen is checked.
Click the OK button.
All colors not intended to separate as a spot are defined as CMYK and the Color Type is Process.
Scroll through the colors and see if the intended spot colors are set to spot and the intended ones are converted to process.
Double-click on a color to edit it.
Ensure that Virtual Printer is selected.
In the File menu, select Page Setup.
Ensure that the Scale is set to 100%
Select PostScript options from the drop-down menu.
Ensure that there are no selections for the Visual Effects and the Image & Text.
Under the File menu, selec Print.
In the General section, ensure that All is selected for the Pages option.
Select Adobe Illustrator 9.0 Options from the drop-down menu.
Ensure that the Output is set to Composite and the PostScript is set to Level 3.
Now click on the Separation Setup button.
Ensure that the DDAP PPD has been selected.
Choose the appropriate DDAP size option for the Page Size (DDAP Single or DDAP Spread).
Select the correct Orientation (Portrait or Landscape).
Ensure the following selections:
- Select Up (Right Reading) for Emulsion option.
- Select 133 lpi / 2400 dpi for Halftone option.
- Select Positive for Image option.
Ensure that Use Printer's Marks option is unchecked.
If there are no intended spot colors within your document, check the Covert to Process checkbox.
Click the OK button.
Select Save as File in the Destination drop-down menu.
In the PostScript Settings, ensure the following selections:
- Select Level 3 Only for PostScript Level option.
- Select Binary for Data Format option.
- Select All for Font Inclusion option.
Once complete, click the Save button.
You will now be prompted to label and save your PostScript file.
Next, you will need to distill your newly created PostScript file using Acrobat Distiller. Please refer to the Adobe Acrobat Distiller instrunctions in the PDF Guide
Under the File menu, choose Document Setup and ensure that the dimensions are correct.
If needed, change the document size and move the ad file to the middle of the new document.
Ensure that the trim and bleed sizes are correct while you have the file open.
Ensure that all marks are correct and that they are outside of the image area.
Check The Colors Used
Select the Swatches Pallete in InDesign and ensure that all colors not intended to separate as a spot color are set to separate as a process color equivalent.
All colors not intended to separate as a spot are defined as CMYK and the Color Type is Process.
Scroll through the colors and see if the intended spot colors are set to spot and the intended ones are converted to process. Double-click on a color to edit it.
In the File menu, choose Preflight.
Select Fonts in the menu on left. Verify that all of the fonts are loaded and are Type 1 instead of Truetype.
Select Links and Images in the menu on left. Verify that none of the images are missing.
Click Cancel when done.
Under the File menu, choose Adobe PDF Presets and select [PDF/x-1a:2001].
Name your PDF file when prompted in the Export pallete and click Save.
Once you have named your PDF file, you will then be need to export the PDF with the PDF/X-1a settings.
Simply click on the Export button.
Under the File menu, choose Document Setup and ensure that the dimensions are correct.
If needed, change the document size and move the ad file to the middle of the new document.
Ensure that the trim and bleed sizes are correct while you have the file open.
Ensure that all marks are correct and that they are outside of the image area.
Check The Colors Used
Select the Swatches Pallete in InDesign and ensure that all colors not intended to separate as a spot color are set to separate as a process color equivalent.
All colors not intended to separate as a spot are defined as CMYK and the Color Type is Process.
Scroll through the colors and see if the intended spot colors are set to spot and the intended ones are converted to process.
Double-click on a color to edit it.
In the File menu, choose Preflight.
Select Fonts in the menu on left. Verify that all of the fonts are loaded and are Type 1 instead of Truetype.
Select Links and Images in the menu on left. Verify that none of the images are missing.
Click Cancel when done.
Under the File menu, choose Adobe PDF Presets and select [PDF/x-1a:2001].
Name your PDF file when prompted in the Export pallete and click Save.
Once you have named your PDF file, you will then be need to export the PDF with the PDF/X-1a settings.
Simply click on the Save PDF button.
Ensure that you have downloaded and installed Adobe PS Driver and DDAPv3 PPD, which can be found in the Time Inc. - Advertiser Kit.
Check The Page SizeUnder the File menu, choose Document Setup and ensure that the dimensions are correct.
If needed, change the document size and move the ad file to the middle of the new document.
Ensure that the trim and bleed sizes are correct while you have the file open.
Ensure that all marks are correct and that they are outside of the image area.
Check The Colors Used
All colors not intended to separate as a spot are defined as CMYK and the Color Type is Process.
Select the Swatches pallete.
Scroll through the colors and see if the intended spot colors are set to spot and the intended ones are converted to process.
Double-click on a color to edit it.
In the File menu, select the Preflight command.
Select the Fonts option at left.
Ensure that all necessary fonts are loaded and are only Type 1.
Now click on the Links and Images option at left.
Ensure that all links are updated and that no images are missing.
Click Cancel when done.
Check Print Settings And Save Postscript FileUnder the File menu, select the Print command.
When the Print window appears, you will now be in the General area for settings.
Ensure the follow selections:
- Select PostScript File for the Printer option.
- Select DDAPv3 PPD for the PPD option.
Now click on the Setup option at left.
Ensure the follow selections:
- Select either DDAP_Single or DDAP_Spread for the Paper Size option.
- Select 100% for both width and height for the Scale option.
Now click on the marks and Bleeds option at left.
Ensure that none of the options are checked in the checkboxes.
- If the page is oversized, it is not necessary to add any bleed
- If the page is built to trim, you must add .125” for bleed on all sides
Now click on the Output option at left.
Ensure that Composite CMYK is selected for the Color option.
Click on the Save button when finished
You will now be prompted to label and save your PostScript file.
Next, you will need to distill your newly created PostScript file using Acrobat Distiller. Please refer to the Adobe Acrobat Distiller instrunctions in the PDF Guide
Under the Image menu, choose Mode and ensure that the color is set to CMYK, as shown below.
From the File menu, choose Save As...
Select Photoshop PDF in the Format option, as shown below.
Name your PDF file and click Save.
Once you have named your PDF file, you will then be prompted to select the PDF settings.
Select [PDF/X-1a:2001] from the Adobe PDF Preset option, as shown below.
Simply click on the Save PDF button.
Under the Image menu, choose Mode and ensure that the color is set to CMYK, as shown below.
From the File menu, choose Save As...
Select Photoshop PDF in the Format option, as shown below.
Name your PDF file and click Save.
Once you have named your PDF file, you will then be prompted to select the PDF settings.
Select [PDF/X-1a:2001] from the Adobe PDF Preset option, as shown below.
Simply click on the Save PDF button.
Ensure that you have the following downloaded and installed correctly:
- Adobe PS Driver
- DDAPv3 PPD
- We recommend that the page is larger than the finaltrim size. This extra area will give room for properbleed, marks, and agency information.
- Under 'File' menu, choose Document Setup. Ensure that the dimensions are correct.
- If needed, change the document size and move the ad file to the middle of the new document.
- Ensure that the trim and bleed sizes are correct while you have the file open. Ensure that all marks are correct and that they are outside of the image area.
- Ensure that all colors not intended to separate as a spot color are to separate as a process color equivalent.
- Under the 'Colors' tab, look for the spot color icon. Spot colors have the round circle in the white square, while process colors are a solid square
- Ensure that all colors not inented to separate as a spot are defined as CMYK Model and that Process color is selected.
Spot Color
Process Color
Check The Picture Links
- Under the 'File' menu, choose Links Manager.
- Ensure that no pictures are missing and that all are updated.
- Under the 'File' menu, select Print. This will open the print setup dialog window
- In the Document Tab, choose the DDAP PPD. Uncheck all boxes.
- Click on the Papter button
- Choose the paper size, single or spread
- Ensure that the Reduction/Elargement is 100%
- Uncheck all boxes, tiling set to none
- Click the Options button
- Select write to PostScript file. Select Normal
- Ensure that PostScript and TrueType is selected
- Click the Color button
- Choose Composite
- Uncheck all boxes
- Click the Save button
- Ensure that all colors not intended to separate as a spot color are to separate as a process color equivalent.
- Click OK
- Find your PostScript in the location specified in the last step.
- Next, you will need to distill your newly created PostScript file using Acrobat Distiller. Please refer to the Adobe Acrobat Distiller instrunctions in the PDF Guide
To export PDF/X-1a compliant files, you will first need to create a PDF/X-1a Output Style in QuarkXpress 7.0.
The procedure to create a new Output Style is required only once and will available for selection each time thereafter.
In the Edit menu, select Edit Output Styles...
In the Output Styles pallete, click on the New button and select PDF from the list that appears, as shown below.
Once you have selected the PDF option, the following Edit PDF Style pallete appears.
First, type in PDF/X-1a in the PDF Style field. Then select PDF/X-1a: 2001 for the Verification option, as shown below and click on the OK button.
Once you have clicked the OK button, you have now saved a new PDF/X-1a Output Style and are ready to export an approved PDF.
Check The Page SizeWhen starting the creative, ensure that the page dimensions are correct.
In the Edit menu, select Colors..
In the Colors pallete, ensure that the advertisement contains only CMYK colors.
If there are Spot colors in the creative that have not been converted to CMYK, you will see the "Spot color" in the notes when the color is selected.
To convert to CMYK, select the Spot colot and click on the Edit button.
Once you have clicked the Edit button, the following Edit Color pallete will appear.
To convert the to CMYK, uncheck the box next to Spot Color, as shown below, and click the OK button.
Once you have clicked the OK button, the Colors pallete appears again.
In the File menu, select Export followed by the Layout as PDF... option, as shown below.
Once you have selected Layout as PDF, the following Export as PDF window will appear.
Name your PDF file in the Save As field and for PDF Style, select the new PDF/X-1a Style, as shown below.
When you have finished, click the Save button to export your PDF.
Ensure that you have the following downloaded and installed correctly:
- Virtual Printer for OS X
- We recommend that the page is larger than the final trim size. This extra area will give room for proper bleed, marks, and agency information.
- Under Layout menu, choose Layout Properties. Ensure that the dimensions are correct.
- If needed, change the document size and move the ad file to the middle of the new document.
- Ensure that the trim and bleed sizes are correct while you have the file open. Ensure that all marks are correct and that they are outside of the image area.
- Ensure that all colors not intended to separate as a spot color are to separate as a process color equivalent.
- Under the Edit menu, select Colors.The color list will open.
- Ensure that all colors not intended to separate as a spot are defined as CMYK Model and that Spot color is unchecked.
- Click OK and Save to update.
- Under the Utilities menu, choose Usage. The Usage window will open, showing font and image information.
- Check that all fonts are loaded and are PostScript Type 1. Click on More Information to see the font details.
- Under the Pictures tab, ensure that no pictures are missing. Update any modified pictures.
- Under the File menu, select Print. This will open the print setup dialog window
- In the Layout Tab, uncheck all boxes, turn registration and tiling off
- Click on the Setup tab
- Choose the DDAPv3 PPD
- Choose the paper size, single or spread
- Ensure that the Reduction/Elargement is 100%
- Center the Page
- Choose the output tab
- Make sure that all colors are printing
- The resolution should be 2400 and the Frequency should be 133.
- Choose the Options tab
- Output: Normal
- Data: Binary
- OPI: Include Images
- Overprint EPS Black: Checked
- Full Resolution TIFF Output: Checked
- Click Layers
- Ensure that all printing layers are checked to print
- Click Bleed
- If the page is built oversized, the bleed settings should be set to zero
- If the page is built to trim, set the bleed to Symmetric and the amount should be 0.125”
- Click OPI
- Uncheck OPI off
- Click Print
- Select the Virtual Printer
- Click on the optioin "Copies & Pages" and slect "Output Options"
- Click Save as file
- Choose Format:PostScrip
- Click Save...
- Select where the file should be saved and give it a name
- Click Save
- Find your PostScript in the location you specified.
- Next, you will need to distill your newly created PostScript file using Acrobat Distiller. Please refer to the Adobe Acrobat Distiller instrunctions in the PDF Guide
Ensure that you have the following downloaded and installed correctly:
- Adobe PS Driver
- DDAPv3 PPD
- We recommend that the page is larger than the finaltrim size. This extra area will give room for properbleed, marks, and agency information.
- Under 'File' menu, choose Document Setup. Ensure that the dimensions are correct.
- If needed, change the document size and move the ad file to the middle of the new document.
- Ensure that the trim and bleed sizes are correct while you have the file open. Ensure that all marks are correct and that they are outside of the image area.
- Ensure that all colors not intended to separate as a spot color are to separate as a process color equivalent.
- Under the 'Edit' menu, select Colors.The color list will open.
- Ensure that all colors not intended to separate as a spot are defined as CMYK Model and that Spot color is unchecked.
- Click OK and Save to update.
- Under the 'Utilities' menu, choose Usage. The Usage window will open, showing font and image information.
- Check that all fonts are loaded and are PostScript Type 1. Click on 'More Information' to see the font details.
- Under the Pictures tab, ensure that no pictures are missing. Update any modified pictures.
- Under the 'File' menu, select Print. This will open the print setup dialog window
- In the Document Tab, uncheck all boxes, turn registration and tiling off
- If page is built to Trim, enter 0.125” in the Bleed, otherwise, enter 0”
- Click on the Setup tab
- Choose the DDAPv3 PPD
- Choose the paper size, single or spread
- Ensure that the Reduction/Elargement is 100%
- Center the Page
- Choose the output tab
- Make sure that all colors are printing
- The resolution should be 2400 and the Frequency should be 133.
- Choose the Options tab
- Output: Normal
- Data: Binary
- OPI: Include Images
- Overprint EPS Black: Checked
- Full Resolution TIFF Output: Checked
- Click Page Setup
- Pull Down the "Page Attributes" Menu and Select "PostScript Options"
- Under PostScript Options, Uncheck all boxes
- Click OK
- In the Print Dialog, Click Print
- Under 'Destination,' File should be chosen
- Under the "General" Pulldown menu, Select The PostScript Settings window
- Choose Level 3
- Choose Binary
- Include all fonts
- Click Save
- A dialog will ask you to where to save the file and what to name it
- Click Save
- The Print Dialog will again open, Click Print
- Save your PostScript file
- Find your PostScript in the location you specified.
- Next, you will need to distill your newly created PostScript file using Acrobat Distiller. Please refer to the Adobe Acrobat Distiller instrunctions in the PDF Guide
