Martin BaileySenior Technical Consultant

PDF/X - what, how and why

Global Graphics © 2003

MPB, PDF/X, Spectrum, 15 Sep 2003

Graphic arts production with PDF

• PDF workflows work

• Printing from PDF works

If you know what you’re doing!

… both client and print service provider ...

“Print production today is a complex task. It’s moredifficult to create perfect PDF files for a particularworkflow than most people realize”

Julie ShafferDirector of the Robert Howard Center for Digital Imaging

Global Graphics © 2003

MPB, PDF/X, Spectrum, 15 Sep 2003

The challenge

• Match• proof to proof

• proof to press

• press to press

• On multiple sites

• Using different equipment, from many vendors

• Without processing errors

• Oh … and have it print well too!

Global Graphics © 2003

MPB, PDF/X, Spectrum, 15 Sep 2003

Because ...

• Bad files, errors in prepress, unprintable dataand untrustworthy proofs lead to increasedcost, errors and delay

• A need for human intervention causes cost,errors and delay

• Reliable content file delivery is an integral partof process control• Every bit as important as waste management and

automation

• actually a key pre-requisite for automation

Global Graphics © 2003

MPB, PDF/X, Spectrum, 15 Sep 2003

What’s wrong with PDF?

• PDF better than application data files or PostScript• can’t reflow

• can’t use wrong fonts (if well made!)

• can’t be too clever

• hard to change accidentally

• You can make good files if you know what you’re doing• ALL your customers know what they’re doing, right?

Global Graphics © 2003

MPB, PDF/X, Spectrum, 15 Sep 2003

More subtly

• Matches possible only if the same rules areapplied everywhere

• Overprinting, color handling, font usage, etc.

• PDF/X provides those rules

Global Graphics © 2003

MPB, PDF/X, Spectrum, 15 Sep 2003

PDF/X defines a file format ...

• A subset of PDF ...

• Fonts must be embedded• the right fonts are always available

• Print condition & trap state identified• service provider can preflight

• No RGB or Lab in PDF/X-1a

• etc ...

Global Graphics © 2003

MPB, PDF/X, Spectrum, 15 Sep 2003

… and correct processing

• Must use embedded fonts• not local versions or emulations

• Act on characterized printing condition• extract profile from file, or identify locally held profile

from characterization name

• Apply overprinting correctly• see the Global Graphics PDF/X overprint test strip

(www.globalgraphics.com)

• Most modern prepress equipment can beconfigured appropriately

Global Graphics © 2003

MPB, PDF/X, Spectrum, 15 Sep 2003

What are the benefits of PDF/X?

• Ensures a perfect print every time

• Cements relationships with clients

• Brews wonderful coffee and makes a mean chilli

• Twice as effective as Viagra

• Improves your car’s fuel consumption

• Remembers your wife’s birthday

• ...

Global Graphics © 2003

MPB, PDF/X, Spectrum, 15 Sep 2003

What are the benefits of PDF/X?

• Easy• to describe what you need from a customer

• relatively easy for them to make

• No errors in prepress• if properly configured using reasonably up-to-date

prepress equipment

• Proofs provide prediction of press• if proofer & prepress are PDF/X-compliant

• if the file and press match the same printingcondition

Global Graphics © 2003

MPB, PDF/X, Spectrum, 15 Sep 2003

PDF/X-2:2003CMYK, spot & color-managed

OPI-like workflows

PDF/X-3:2002CMYK, spot & color-managed

Flavors of PDF/X

PDF/X-1a:2001CMYK & spot only

Global Graphics © 2003

MPB, PDF/X, Spectrum, 15 Sep 2003

After all that …

PDF/X does NOT guarantee that a file willprint well

Global Graphics © 2003

MPB, PDF/X, Spectrum, 15 Sep 2003

Printable files

PDF/X standardsfor all print markets

Industry specificationsintended for one sector/area

Job or ad specspecific to one title or job

Global Graphics © 2003

MPB, PDF/X, Spectrum, 15 Sep 2003

If it ain’t broke ...

• So do you need to switch to PDF/X?

• You have• a trusted workflow with low error rate, efficient

processing and the equipment’s paid for …… at both client and service provider …

No

• high error rate, slow processing, high costs in clienteducation, new clients …

Try it!

Global Graphics © 2003

MPB, PDF/X, Spectrum, 15 Sep 2003

Tools to help qualify proofers & prepress

• Global Graphics PDF/X overprint test strip• www.globalgraphics.com

• Altona test suite (PDF/X-3)• www.eci.org

• Kensington suite (PDF/X-1a)• coming soon

Thanks

martin.bailey@globalgraphics.com

http://www.globalgraphics.com