| Plenty of material on this topic is available, and it would only benefit you to find some time to learn more about the printing process, as well as understand how art goes from the computer monitor to the printed page (and everything that happens in between). Here's a list of some resources that I find useful on this subject. Visit www.designresponsibly.com for the latest updated list. A Designer's Guide to Transparency for Print Output, by Adobe Systems Incorporated (www.adobe.com/products/indesign/pdfs/transparency_guide.pdf) Adobe InDesign CS Printing Guide for Service Providers, by Adobe Systems Incorporated (partners.adobe.com/public/asn/en/print_resource_center/IDCS_PrintGuide.pdf) Adobe Illustrator CS Printing Guide for Service Providers, by Adobe Systems Incorporated (partners.adobe.com/public/asn/en/print_resource_center/AICS_PrintGuide6.pdf) Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Professional Output Guide for Print Service Providers, by Adobe Systems Incorporated (partners.adobe.com/public/asn/en/print_resource_center/Acrobat6fOutputGuide.pdf) Professional Printing with Adobe Illustrator CS, by Adobe Systems Incorporated (www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/pdfs/ilcsproprint.pdf) Pocket Pal: A Graphic Arts Production Handbook, 19th Edition, by Frank Romano Jr. (International Paper) Real World Color Management, 2nd edition, by Bruce Fraser, Fred Bunting, and Chris Murphy (Peachpit Press)
Finallyand I can't emphasize this enoughtalk to your printer. An open line of communication between designer and printer is cru_cial and can save time, energy, money, and sanity. If possible, arrange to spend a day or two at a printer and see the process for yourself. Learn about the issues that come up and how they are addressed. The information you will learn will prove more valuable than you can imagine. |
