Quark to PDF
Introduction
You can create a pdf file from the QuarkXpress 4.0 application using a Postscript print driver. This information will help you create PDF files from QuarkXPress that contain crop marks, enough bleed, etc.
Before you create a pdf from Quark, you must make sure that all fonts and picture images have been updated and are linked and that you have chosen ACS_pdf as the active Job Option in Acrobat Distiller. See Distiller Settings for information on ACS_pdf Job Options. Then follow the steps below.
Creating FAT PS files using Quark 4 for Macintosh
The settings used in these examples will give you the ability to print pages that are "Letter Extra" in size or smaller. Instructions are provided about the changes that need to be made to output pages larger than "Letter Extra".
Page Setup
Make the following changes within Quark's "Page Setup" window:
- First open the Page Setup window by selecting "Page Setup" under the "File" menu.
- With the Page Setup window open, select the "Document" tab. Then enter the following information shown in the example below.
- Now that you have the "Document" settings set, select the "Setup" tab. Set
it up to match the window shown below. One of the most important settings is
"Page Positioning", which must be set to "Center".
*NOTE: If your page is larger than "LetterExtra", we suggest selecting a "Paper Size" of "LegalExtra", and you may use any Postscript drive in Printer Description.
- Now setup the "Output" tab to match the example shown below. Remember that with CTP, all pages must be output as "Composite" pages. This means that all the colors (CMYK) must be in the same file and not separated within the file or files. For this reason "Print Colors" must be set to "Composite Color"or "Convert to Process".
- You should only use Process & Spot color option in the Print Colors selection
if you wish to pay for a spot color to print in addition to the CMYK composite colors.
*Note: We also suggest that you use a resolution of 2540 dpi. Even though the CTP system only uses up to 2400 dpi.
- The next tab to set up is the "Options" tab. Match the example below to set up this tab. Make sure that "Include Images" is selected in the "OPI" section. This will ensure that your pictures will be included into the PS file that you are creating. You should also check Full Resolution TIFF Output.
- Using the "Preview" tab, you can view the positioning of the QuarkXpress page on the pasteboard area. The pasteboard area contains the crop and register marks that will be added around your page within the PDF file that you create. It is extremely important that your page sit perfectly centered on this pasteboard area. Notice in the example below that the "Paper Size" is a LetterExtra size. This is the "Pasteboard" size and should not be confused with the actual page size that is represented by the "Document Size".
- Now that you have set up all the tabs, select the "Page Setup" button at the bottom of the window. You will then see the following window.. Before going further, make sure that the pull-down menu on the left reads "Page Attributes". You will then need to set up the window just like this example; however, you will not be able to "Format for" the Brisque3_Rip80. Instead, you will select a local Postscript printer on your network.
- In the same window, change the pull-down menu from "Page Attributes" to "PostScript Options". Make sure that none of the options are selected and then select "OK" to exit the window.
- This brings you back to the main "Print" window. In this window select the "Printer" button to open the window shown below. Within this window, you will instruct Quark to create the PDF file.
- Select the "Destination" as "File" and select the "Save as File" from the pull-down menu.
- Format should be set to Acrobat PD from the pull-down menu.
- If you would like a black-and-white ad printed, you should change the Color Bitmap Images to Grayscale Bitmap Images.
- When you have changed all the settings, click on "Save". Doing so will bring up a window that allows you to pick the location for the saved PDF file. Enter the correct name for your file and save it to a location where you will later copy them to send to us. When you have changed the name and selected where you wish to save the PDF file, click on "Save". This step does not actually save the PDF file; however, it indicates the name you wish to use and where you wish the file to be saved.
- This next step is actually where the PDF file is saved. After you select "Save", you are taken back to the main "Print" window shown below. In this window, you select the "Print" button. Doing so will actually create a temporary PS file, automatically open distiller, create the PDF file from the temporary PS file, and save the PDF with the name you chose to the location you specified.
Congratulations! You have now converted a Quark page to PDF format.
Recommended Quark Tips
Please note that if these topics are not followed, production can be delayed in the print process.
- Always make sure that all of your bleeds extend at least 1/8" past the trim size.
- Save only one page per file.
- To make file names consistent with ISO standards, use only the uppercase letters A through Z, the digits 0 through 9, plus the underscore and period characters.
