If the printer prefers JPG and is complaining about fuzzy text, find another printer.
Ideally, you would design a text and graphic layout in another program like InDesign or Illustrator – – but Photoshop can still be used. Text in Photoshop should remain as a live, editable text layer (not rasterized). Save as PDF from Photoshop. Make sure the printer can use PDF.
Some of the "Vanity Press" book publishers seem to be demanding JPEGs but I agree with Jim: if a Printer won’t accept PDFs, find another printer or publishing house.
The printer has since advised that it’s always advisable to format text in Illustrator and import to Photoshop. Is this true?
No. It doesn’t make a difference.
I think the suggestion is based on the fact that vector (Iluustrator) based text is sharp regardless of documant size, where as rasterised text relies on having a high enough resolution for sharpness. As Jim Jordan sugested, don’t rasterize the type in Photoshop. I’ve produced countless book covers and print jobs with text using Photoshop, no problem.
Also I’m with those above who say ditch a printer who won’t/can’t deal with pdf’s or p.s.d’s for that matter.
I agree too that "changing the Printer" is a possible solution, but the boss might say "Change the Designer" if "he can’t get it right".
Keep in mind that not rasterizing type in PS requires the file to be saved in an EPS format.
The printer has confirmed that they can accept pdfs but these will be converted to Jpeg prior to printing so the final outcome will be the same.
I’m working at a resolution of 300dpi.
Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.
OK, would a layered TIFF or PSD work too? I’ve never tried it.
Is that what you’re thinking Jim?
The printer has confirmed that they can accept pdfs but these will be converted to Jpeg prior to printing so the final outcome will be the same.
Why?????
What on earth are they printing with?
Even an Inkjet can print directly from a PDF so that the Type is rasterized at the resolution of the output device on output (perhaps at 1400 dpi or greater).
Converting text to a 300 ppi JPEG before output is not only ridiculous but also shows total ineptitude by the print house operators.
Rene,
I was just questioning why EPS was ‘required’ when PDF offers the same features of EPS and a few more.
TIFF and PSD will not include font data so the recipient will need the same font files installed.
Kate,
Printers that exclusively use JPG files fall under the cafepress.com realm for specialty/novelty printing. They can get away with this on mugs and t-shirts. For a leaflet, you’d want a better quality printer. If you are limited to that printer, see if they can support 600 or 1200 ppi in the JPG file. 300 ppi is just too messy for general type. You might get away with a decent print at 300 ppi if the type is over 36 pt or so.
Something seems very odd with this particular printer. Does this printer have a web site address you can share that might explain their capabilities or requirements for artwork?
www.loxleycolour.co.uk
I’m always really pleased with the photographic print results but this is the first time I’ve used any text. The leaflets are also a new product they’re offering and I wonder whether perhaps a new system for producing the leaflets is what is inhibiting them. Didn’t realise text was such a minefield – how naive of me!!
The alternative solution they offer is to insert the text via their upload program, Loxley ROES, however they offer a limited choice of fonts and even less control over colour, size, positioning etc etc. Which is why I naturally went to Photoshop for the complete design.
Cheers
They may be a good Photographic Printer but I think that you need a different company for a brochure.
How many copies do you need to print?
when PDF offers the same features of EPS and a few more.
Got you.
TIFF and PSD will not include font data so the recipient will need the same font files installed.
Of course. But I thought that I had read somewhere that the type will be rasterized anyway in those TIFF and PSDs, when the type layers are left as type.
We’re trying to avoid rasterized type so TIFF and PSD would be no better than JPG in this situation. PDF (or EPS) will embed the vector font data so even if your printer does not have ‘bizzarofont.otf’ on their system, they will still be able to print the document as if they did have the font file.
TIFF and PSD would be no better than JPG
That’s what I thought.
