Professional print-quality EPS files?

frankandrobot · Postby **frankandrobot** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 6:08 am

I am working with a typesetter who wants professional print quality EPS files. I really hope that I can use
inkscape for this project. These are the guidelines the typesetter gave me:

1. Text: use Open Typeface fonts, no TrueType fonts. Do not outline the text to preserve editability.
2. RGB elements: no RGB elements
3. Embedded elements: Use at least 200 dpi
4. Spot Color Usage versus CYMK: artwork can be done using CYMK and all color should be setup for process
percentages.
5. Grayscale images: Elements using 100% black should have only 100% K assigned to them and not various percentages
of CYMK.

(1) I created a drawing using an OpenType font. I made sure the "Convert texts to paths" when NOT checked when I exported to EPS. However, the typesetter told me he still couldn't edit the text. What gives?

(2) These seem to happen whenever you use any type of gradient effect (ex: blur). As per other posts, the
workaround is to export to PDF, then use pdf2ps to get the EPS file. Any other things I should look for?

(3) ??? Not sure when that happens. Does this mean embedded JPGs or PNGs?

(4) and (5) I have successfully submitted grayscale images created in Inkscape. However, what the heck does
"all color should be setup for process percentages" mean? Can inkscape handle that?

Postby **brynn** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:54 am

Welcome to InkscapeForum, frankandrobot!

(4) and (5) I have successfully submitted grayscale images created in Inkscape. However, what the heck does
"all color should be setup for process percentages" mean? Can inkscape handle that?

While there might coincidentally be some members here who know what that means, you should ask the printer what it means, so that YOU know what kind of help to ask for. Personally, I haven't got a clue, so I don't know if Inkscape can handle it or not.

The reason that the grayscale images were successful (and the color ones are not) might have to do with a CMYK color requirement, which Inkscape does not offer (only RGB). But I'm not sure. I've just seen several times in these forums where professional printers often require the CMYK print model. (Inkscape does offer a way to adjust the color in a document using CMYK, but the print model is a different thing (which I unfortunately can't explain because I barely understand it

)

So, while waiting for others to respond (there ARE members who know quite a lot about professional printing, but they don't necessarily visit the forum every day) maybe you can contact the printer and ask for some explanation? And hang in there! Once we all understand everything, I'm sure your questions can be answered (although probably not by me :mrgreen:

)

Postby **druban** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 3:54 pm

1) I created a drawing using an OpenType font. I made sure the "Convert texts to paths" when NOT checked when I exported to EPS. However, the typesetter told me he still couldn't edit the text. What gives?

Your typesetter needs to have that specific font on his/her system to edit your document. In addition they will not be able to print it from their system (even if they don't change the text) if they open and resave it. The font will change to the default or closest match. In such cases it is better to do all your editing yourself or attach all the fonts you use to the file you send. (This may not be legal if you purchased the fonts.)

4. Spot Color Usage versus CYMK: artwork can be done using CYMK and all color should be setup for process
percentages.
5. Grayscale images: Elements using 100% black should have only 100% K assigned to them and not various percentages
of CYMK.

These are CMYK issues and Inkscape has only rudimentary CMYK support. You might try Scribus instead as n intermediate step. CMYK export maybe more advanced.

You might want to read this:
http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/InkscapeColor

This gives you a very good tutorial of how to use scribus for converting:
http://www.brankovukelic.com/post/254822186/convert-inkscape-artowkr-to-cmyk-using-scribus

And this might help if your printer (who apparently calls him/herself a typesetter

) has a preferred profile:
http://codewideopen.blogspot.com/2010/1 ... -cmyk.html

Off topic:

Brynn said, "Once we all understand everything, I'm sure your questions can be answered..."

Branching into philosophy and metaphysics here, Brynn :idea:

! Open source makes us one with everything!

frankandrobot · Postby **frankandrobot** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 6:02 am

@druban - I was using "Palatino Linotype (opentype)" that came with Windows. We've used that font name for past projects. It's a fairly common font in the design world (could be wrong), so I assumed that they had it. They probably have a different version. Otherwise, I may have to buy whatever font they'll be using. (Yikes, those cost hundreds of dollars, right? I better convince them to use an open source font instead---if any, I don't remember seeing many free OpenType fonts in the past.)

Thanks for all the links. Will look into that. Do you know what the "process percentages" are by any chance?

No, it really is a typesetter. I have no idea why they insist on EPS files. I'm sure Quark or InDesign or whatever they're using probably can import other file formats better.

RM. · Postby **RM.** » Sun May 01, 2011 2:03 pm

I can't help for the print problem but in case you need some free open source fonts you could try here: http://www.theleagueofmoveabletype.com

samigina · Postby **samigina** » Tue May 03, 2011 1:23 am

Procces Percentages is about the press inks. In common printers we use 4 inks, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black (CMYK), when the printer ask to you for Grayscale images he wants images with just one ink (Black), Inkscape, unfortunately, doesnt export CMYK values in any format, the colors are always saved to RGB, so the files you are exporting from Inkscape will be in RGB and your printer will not be able to work with them.

The workaround I use:

Option 1
Export my Inkscape artwork like PDF, and open the PDF with Adobe Illustrator (the old 10 work nicely with wine), convert the color to CMYK and export again.

Option 2
Use Pitstop to preflight the PDF (its easy and faster, but ist a commercial software. Works with wine)

Option 3
Use Scribus (it will create a PDF ready for press)

Option 4
Export to TIFF and convert the TIFF to CMYK (No vectors here, so the fonts will be lost)

Postby **druban** » Tue May 03, 2011 5:52 am

frankandrobot wrote:@druban - I was using "Palatino Linotype (opentype)" that came with Windows. We've used that font name for past projects. It's a fairly common font in the design world (could be wrong), so I assumed that they had it. They probably have a different version. Otherwise, I may have to buy whatever font they'll be using. (Yikes, those cost hundreds of dollars, right? I better convince them to use an open source font instead---if any, I don't remember seeing many free OpenType fonts in the past.)
Thanks for all the links. Will look into that. Do you know what the "process percentages" are by any chance?

A spot color is a custom mixed color that is printed in addition to the four process colors. They are saying in essence, "NO SPOT COLORS! CONVERT ALL SPOT COLORS IN YOUR ARTWORK INTO PROCESS (CMYK) PERCENTAGES BEFORE SENDING IT TO US!" But I am sure that you are not using any since Inkscape doesn't offer spot colors either. If you use scribus to convert to cmyk be aware of this option.

Palatino Linotype comes with Windows but perhaps not with Mac OS or Linux. A decent typesetter should have all of the Linotype fonts on license since they are such a huge font company so I don't know what their deal is.

Postby **brynn** » Wed May 04, 2011 12:39 pm

druban wrote:
Off topic:
Brynn said, "Once we all understand everything, I'm sure your questions can be answered..."

Branching into philosophy and metaphysics here, Brynn ! Open source makes us one with everything!

flamingolady · Postby **flamingolady** » Sat May 07, 2011 4:47 am

From 2 posts above:

the old 10 work nicely with wine

What does this mean? I noticed a couple of references to 'wine', could someone please explain?
(I'm trying to understand and expand my knowledge).
thanks
dee

samigina · Postby **samigina** » Sat May 07, 2011 7:09 am

Wine is a Linux software that allows to run windows software (some) on Linux platforms.

http://www.winehq.org/

For me, like a professional working with Linux, Illustrator 10 (from 2005

) running with wine has helped me in the past to workaround some problems, but in the present I'm able to do almost all my work with native tools.

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