lilwicked805

Ok update....I took the original ai file and imported that at the original 300ppi size which was 5 inches x 6 inches. Way too big for a card. I resized the graphic IN Pagemaker with the shift key and it looks great! I would think that it would be best to resize in Pshop BEFORE placing in Pagemaker [confused] This is how I have always handled my graphics but this time I had to bring the original ai file in??? Maybe I had a brain laps and did something in pshop that I can't put my finger on :{

mmagikman

I hope it all worked out for you.
As Al posted, I create/print my bcards from Ill. to the printer with the max dpi that the printer can take (if you set the dpi higher than the printers max dpi you are wasting file space).
I guess I just don't understand why you have to use Pagemaker and PS before you print. I'll re-read your posts to see if I missed something.

Rantin Al

Linda,

From what you are saying, the only thing I can think of is that PageMaker is losing the link to the hi-res file and is printing the 72dpi proxy file.

That would explain the jaggies! Check the Links Manager > File Usage(?)
(Need to check the proper name.)

As far as resizing goes, always do that in the creation package, not in the compositing package. It increases the processing time for the printer and can balloon the file size, particularly if you are doing a multiple set up for business cards.

Ten cards means 10 times that the scaling has to be processed.
Detail / crispness of the original file may be lost.

If you are printing to a desktop, the colour mode is "usually" converted fom RGB to CMYK by the printer software. Check the manual for info on this. If it says so, create your artwork in RGB.


Gonna get to the bottom of this, one way or another. [slick]


Al.

lilwicked805

Links Manager states:

file name>store copy in publication

Rantin Al

In the Links Manager, you should see the file name.
Click on it to check the status of each file.

If you get a '?' at the beginning and end of the file name, it means that the link has been broken.
You will also see the Status Alert.

If you get: 'Status - This Item is up to date.' The file should be OK for printing.

If it still does not print properly, the fault must be with the graphic file.
Click the 'Info' button to verify file size etc..
Also check that you are linking to the proper file, not a low res copy which may be lying about.

You could try 'Preflighting' the PMaker document.
Utilities > Plug-ins > Save for Service provider.

This will copy all related files into a new folder, along with a report.
Try printing this copy.

Al.

lilwicked805

Thanks again for the wonderful help and info! Everything checks fine with the link to the graphic. There must be something I am doing or something wrong with the file. I resized the file in AI to eliminate any mistake I am making in pshop and saved it as a gif and tiff to give both a try. Same results. If I place the original AI file in pmaker and resize there it is fine. I tried other gifs to just see if the problem is widespread and it is not. Only this one file. So I guess I need to hit the trash button on this one and start over. Can't image what happened. | |

Rantin Al

Linda, Forget about GIF's for anything other than web. Don't use them for printing/ publishing.

Use TIFF for printing.

Did you try setting up and printing from Illustrator?
This would be the way to do it. All these conversions into other formats is just asking for trouble.

Let us know if you find the specific problem.

Al.

Rantin Al

Linda, Look under Main Menu > Effects > Document Raster Settings.

I bet your settings are like this pic!

Change it to 300.

Al.

lilwicked805

mmmm my menu is different but doc setup>effects is at 300 in pagmaker. My menu doesn't look anything like yours though.

mmagikman

Linda, just my .02 worth. I think Al is using a Mac and is in PS. That's why the screen shot looks different.

Feel free to ignore this...Have you tried printing from Ill (.ai)?? With the page set up to a 300 dpi you should get a great print from it without all the problems using Pagemaker & PS. Maybe I just don't understand why you use Pagemaker & PS when you have created it all in Ill. Oh well, best of luck to you with your project.