Printing from any Windows Program to a Bitmap
There may be times when no matter what you do, complex files are not being translated properly into something you need for production.
I prefer vectors whenever possible. However, if you've tried getting imagery out of any program into CorelDRAW without success, this little program may be worth looking at.
http://www.zan1011.com/
Under tight deadlines, with the customer not wanting to pay for anything for conversions, this may be a great time-saver for prepress techs.
For large runs, it's worth rebuilding properly. What about the little jobs where the customer brings in a Publisher file and just wants 100 copies? Rather than chewing off your fingernails worrying that something is missing in a PDF conversion, simply making a hi-res bitmap and dumping it into Draw may be the ticket.
I have no reservations about making a 600 DPI greyscale bitmap, and outputting it on a digital color copier. I believe the customer will be happy with the result. For full color, a 600 DPI files will take awhile to RIP, so saving as a 400 DPI bitmap would be more prudent. Try a few tests, and watch the result on small fonts.
Of course, the customer should sign off on the bitmap output. Since it's fast to print a bitmap of their file, they can stand at the front counter while you prepare their proof. Then they see the "real deal" right off the machine.
Many of you are surely wondering: Why not print from Publisher directly to the copier? Impositioning is everything to a small print shop.
Few people on the street know this, but the shops are billed by the "click". Each sheet of paper going through the machine counts as a "click".
So, it's the same cost (from Xerox/Canon) for the shop to print an 8.5" x 11" sheet as a 12" x 18". A shop is reluctant to ever print 8.5" x 11" if they can put 2-up on 11" x 17". This is because a print shop's Click Charge is the same either way.
I prefer vectors whenever possible. However, if you've tried getting imagery out of any program into CorelDRAW without success, this little program may be worth looking at.
http://www.zan1011.com/
Under tight deadlines, with the customer not wanting to pay for anything for conversions, this may be a great time-saver for prepress techs.
For large runs, it's worth rebuilding properly. What about the little jobs where the customer brings in a Publisher file and just wants 100 copies? Rather than chewing off your fingernails worrying that something is missing in a PDF conversion, simply making a hi-res bitmap and dumping it into Draw may be the ticket.
I have no reservations about making a 600 DPI greyscale bitmap, and outputting it on a digital color copier. I believe the customer will be happy with the result. For full color, a 600 DPI files will take awhile to RIP, so saving as a 400 DPI bitmap would be more prudent. Try a few tests, and watch the result on small fonts.
Of course, the customer should sign off on the bitmap output. Since it's fast to print a bitmap of their file, they can stand at the front counter while you prepare their proof. Then they see the "real deal" right off the machine.
Many of you are surely wondering: Why not print from Publisher directly to the copier? Impositioning is everything to a small print shop.
Few people on the street know this, but the shops are billed by the "click". Each sheet of paper going through the machine counts as a "click".
So, it's the same cost (from Xerox/Canon) for the shop to print an 8.5" x 11" sheet as a 12" x 18". A shop is reluctant to ever print 8.5" x 11" if they can put 2-up on 11" x 17". This is because a print shop's Click Charge is the same either way.
posted by Jeff Harrison at
3:00 PM
2 Comments:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/ and is free
prints pdf but also bitmaps, I suggest NOT installing the add in for internet explorer which tracks clicks.
One should be able to use the /forceinstall switch to install multiple printers if you want one set for pdf's and one for bitmaps.
Truly useful for the client that has a letter/legal printer but wants to send a tabloid job to a commercial shop.
There are quicker ways to do 2 up,free with a later Fiery, $50.00 if not.
Ken Graham www.communityprinters.com
Hi Ken,
Thanks for the link, I'll check out. I've had good luck with PDF 995 too. I used that today for a large print merge from Draw.
Today I used the zan method for a real job and was impressed.
sequence:
1. customer sends us a Publisher file, made by someone else yet again. We can't open it, too new of a Pub. version
2. Customer doesn't know how to make a PDF, doesn't have software. Time is running out... only 1 hour left to MAKE this project work.
3. When THEY open Publisher, they can't access fields to change text, they seemed locked becuase she doesn't have the same fonts the designer had. BUT, she can print "as is" which is OK.
3. I ask customer to d-load Zan driver, and install. I guide her to make a 600 DPI color bitmap of the Publisher file. (2 pages, 8.5 x 11 each)
4. she sends the PNGs to me, 8 meg total for both pages
5. I convert to CMYK and fix some things like 4 color blacks etc. in PP. I also know how to overprint small black components in this scenario, which I did.
6. I output on Xerox DC-240 as a test. Text is remarkably good (unaliased at 600 DPI). Customer is happy with proof.
7. tomorrow 10,000 will be printed (5000 press sheets). Jeepers.
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