How to prepare an Illustrator file for printing and Save or Export as Acrobat PDF

[@GDHT]

Learn how to ETHICALLY get Adobe CC free (or cheap) here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5OVo5-JaMmGoLM

[@tonybp]

You got to be kidding... YesterdayI was asked to take care of several printing jobs and I don't have any experience at all at it, I thought "I'm gonna have to do some research" and today you post this video. Thanks!

[@GDHT]

It's kismet!!! I'm so happy to hear that! :D

[@tonybp]

@@GDHT All the printing I did before was with basic home/office printers, not with big printing shops, I was a bit nervous, but feeling more confident thanks to you. I had no clue about how important bleed lines and trim marks were, printing shop said they do require them so I just added them to the files and made the adjustments to extend the artwork all the way to the bleed lines. Now fingers crossed everything should be OK. Thanks again!

[@GDHT]

Awww thank you so much! Yes bleeds (especially) and trim marks are sooo important! I actually have another video about them if you want to learn a bit more how they work. This one is for InDesign, but it goes into more detail about WHY they're important: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6TRip58mKutZqs

[@tonybp]

@@GDHT I'll take a look! Thanks!

[@GDHT]

You're welcome!

[@normkitten7138]

I’ve been in graphics and prepress for more years than you’ve been alive. One of the first questions I’ll ask a new hire, is “how do you set up a bleed file”? More often than not, I get the “deer in the headlights” look. They don’t get the job. I would hire you in a heartbeat! Well done!

[@GDHT]

Aww thank you!! At my first agency job, my boss said 'Ok send me a file with crops and bleeds' and I said SURE then immediately Googled/KZbind till I figured it out. But I definitely wouldn't have been able to answer that in the interview...so I'm glad he didn't ask! :D

[@biancakaslana]

honestly saved me with this im about to have my first printing experience and this just clears everything out for me asap tysm!!!

[@GDHT]

You're welcome - I'm glad it was helpful!

[@caribmedical57]

Watching in 2024. Thanks so much, very helpfull. 🤗

[@GDHT]

You're welcome - and thank you so much!!

[@gregorysavage7477]

Thank you so much for this video! It was super clear and it helped me out a lot!

[@GDHT]

You're welcome! I'm so glad it helped!

[@KiryowaRonald]

Iam greatful. Your tutorial is simple to understand

[@GDHT]

Thank you so much!!

[@washburnlane]

To the point, easy to follow instructions, thanks!!

[@GDHT]

Thank you so much!!

[@MohamedThowheed]

Thanks for this video at an exact time to export the file for press print..

[@GDHT]

Yay!! I'm so happy that the universe delivered it right to you!! :D It's fate!

[@saisaran8208]

Helped alot, thanks❤

[@GDHT]

You're welcome - I'm so glad it helped!

[@Jake_Barry]

Thanks so much Anne !

[@GDHT]

You're welcome!!

[@anupkaushik9370]

Please make a tutorial for Printing Pdf vs Adobe illustrator AI & EPS file & sending package files for Printing

[@GDHT]

Really, the industry standard is PDF. When I worked at a printing company, every file we received was immediately turned into PDF first.

[@Lisal2711]

Thank you for the video! It is super helpful~

[@GDHT]

You're welcome...and thank you!!

[@davidkobe8342]

Thank you so much for such an easy and efficient explenation! ;))

[@GDHT]

You’re welcome 😊 and thank you!!

[@thespecialguy]

Learned a lot 👍

[@GDHT]

Awesome; I'm so glad to hear that!

[@thespecialguy]

@@GDHT i am following your tutorial to improve my skill. Ms. Wanna work with you. 🙏

[@GDHT]

Thank you!!

[@thespecialguy]

@@GDHT My pleasure 👍

[@thegoldenonezz]

I’m working with Ai on that iPad. Not able to expand my image once exported..what is the best way to export? Any tips thanks 🙏🏽

[@GDHT]

Do you need to expand it? I would just do PDF or AI.

[@lalolanda2239]

great video, thank you!! is it necessary to create outlines (typography) or embed images? or when i export to PDF this is automatically done?

[@GDHT]

I never do either and have no issues - but I know some fonts do weird things - if that happens in the PDF, definitely outline.

[@desandai]

Hi ! May I know how do you convert the whole file into PATH (so that it is uneditable anymore) I faced an issue where I send my finished AI file to my printer, however they faced a problem where they do not have my font So in summary, how can I make it into a PATH AI file?

[@GDHT]

Select all and choose Type > Create Outlines. That should do it! :)

[@yuryramirosoares8794]

Hi from Brazil, great channel by the way, can you explain how to generate a Post Script (.PS) for the Acrobat Distiller to then generate a .PDF ? Thnx

[@GDHT]

I don't work this way often. Is there a reason you want to do it this way (instead of just saving as PDF)?

[@yuryramirosoares8794]

@@GDHT It's better to save that way on Konica Minolta printers

[@dhanushkaprageeth292]

I have a real big problem. I have created a file 3.5x2.0 inches in illustrator and saved it as an adobe pdf with a bleed of 0.125inch. When I view the pdf in acrobat reader at 100% the distance between the trim marks is not the same as the original illustrator file. I measured it from the ruler and it was approximately 3.8x2.2 inches. How can I solve this problem?

[@GDHT]

Can you send the file to me? howtographicdesigner@gmail

[@dhanushkaprageeth292]

@@GDHT Sure I will

[@GDHT]

I took a look, and used the 'crop' tool in Acrobat to crop to the crop marks (cut size). It's coming up 3.5x2.0 inches for me! So your file is correct.

[@dhanushkaprageeth292]

@@GDHT Thanks for taking the time to look at my file. I don't know whether it is an issue with my display.

[@GDHT]

Your display honestly shouldn't make a difference. I sent you a video of how to measure it with the crop tool. Of course it's hard to get it exact but if you get it close, it should be around 3.5x2.

[@nmanjunathmanju2062]

How to setup printer spreads in illustrator ? I mean suppose 1- 100 pages book design for that how to arrange pages or order wise before getting printed

[@GDHT]

I would definitely use InDesign instead, which is meant for books. Here's a file setup video for making books to sell on Amazon - I hope this is somewhat related to what you're looking for! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYTGlKyfr5h4l8k

[@nikd8824]

hey :) I have a question, If I save my design where I just put my illustration and no background at the back ( I mean not even a white rectangle, just white artboard) as a PDF, will it it have a transparent background automatically or I need to set transparency for print before saving PDF? Thanks!

[@GDHT]

Yes - to retain transparency without flattening when you create PDF files, save your file as Acrobat 5.0 or later. You can specify flattening settings and then save and apply them as transparency flattener presets. Then the transparent objects are flattened according to the settings in the selected flattener preset. I would just test everything first.

[@mickeymallette2663]

I am designing business cards. When saving as a PDF: (1) does the Acrobat Compatibility version matter, and (2) in the pulldown for Presets at the top, should "high quality print" be selected? My particular card doesn't have colors over any substantial portion of the card. The Logo is the only colored portion and the rest is black font type. I used Trim Marks and Bleeds, but probably not super necessary.

[@GDHT]

If no colors are going off the edge of the card, you can just select High Quality Print or Press Quality in PDF settings. You won't need Bleeds in that case, but trim marks might be needed based on your printer.

[@mickeymallette2663]

@@GDHT Thank you! Last question: For the text, would you select and “Create Outlines” in the Type menu?

[@GDHT]

Yes, that's helpful to make sure your font prints right (although most of the time it's not a problem).

[@SirLallington]

Good Afternoon, could I be cheeky and request a video on how to set up exhibition stand design graphic panels for print that span more than one art board with crop marks?

[@GDHT]

I've only done that twice I think. But I will add it to the list!! Thank you so much for the suggestion!

[@SirLallington]

@@GDHT No, thank you for possibly adding this to your list 😇🙏 I just would love your insight on how to set them up for print. So that they line up perfectly 👌

[@GDHT]

I will try, but it might be a while - I've already got videos scheduled out through December, and a long list of other potential video ideas!

[@SirLallington]

@@GDHT No rush 🤓👍

[@logistic1680]

Hello! I am working on an adobe illustrator 10 .... doesn't show the bleed option. Also my work is an irregular size (7.5" x 9.5") and when printing to see how it'll come out, sometimes it centers the artboard and sometimes it leaves it to the side .... why? Thanks.

[@GDHT]

It seems like bleed is in a different place in Illustrator 10, but I'm not 100% sure on that. For the 2nd part of your question, it sounds like you need to choose "Use Artboards" when exporting. If you have a little shape off to the side, it will include that PLUS the artboard if you don't have "Use Artboards" checked.

[@RiddhiJoshi-g1t]

Hi! I will be making the entire spread design in Photoshop, how do I fit it correctly in Illustrator with bleeds? also, can a book be printed fine without bleeds?

[@GDHT]

You'll need to add the bleeds in Photoshop - 0.125" on each side. Yes, a book can be printed fine without bleeds if nothing goes to the edge. You would need a margin of about 1/2" on all sides that nothing goes outside of. I also have a book setup video if you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYTGlKyfr5h4l8k

[@riddhijoshi7709]

@@GDHT Thank you so much!!!

[@GDHT]

You're welcome!

[@manuela5914]

thank you!

[@GDHT]

You're welcome!

[@spaula1114]

my black is saving in pdf as a grey how to change that? preferences of black are set on deep black

[@GDHT]

When color management is turned on in the viewing application 100K black just won't be pitch black, because it won't be printed that way. But if you're doing digital printing, which tend to work ok with RGB, you can do a File >> Document Color Mode >> RGB, then adjust your RGB to 000 for a rich black.

[@chichyiphone4]

I need my art to cover the entire page which I set the canvas size to letter, and my artwork is within the line margins, but when I print; there's a non-print area all around the border of the paper and some of the art is cut off. What should I do? my printer is Epson f170

[@GDHT]

Regular inkjet printers can't print to the edge, so if you want an 8 1/2 x 11 with artwork to the edge, you'll need to create it with bleeds (artwork hanging over the edge), then put it on an 11x17, or any larger paper. Then cut it down to size with your crop marks.

[@sajjadahmad6113]

great

[@GDHT]

Thank you!!

[@BassPlayerAvailable]

But what about the REST of the export settings please when sending to a printers?

[@GDHT]

What other export settings do you mean? These are actually the only ones I use when making a file for a printer.

[@BassPlayerAvailable]

File>Save As>Adobe PDF> "Save Adobe PDF" box pops up with Adobe PDF Preset, Standard, Compatibility and all the settings for all of those. I mean the entirety of this pop up box. I'm on about sending to an actual professional flyer/poster printers to print in the best quality/best file for them.@@GDHT

[@GDHT]

Ok I see! I actually have never used anything in that dialog box except for Press Quality and High Quality. Everything I've had printed at a professional printing company has come out great with either of those 2 settings. But, definitely call your printer and see what they prefer. I've heard a lot of people also use PDF: X-4, although I've never needed to use that one.

[@krystle8090]

do you have a similar video but for indesign?

[@GDHT]

Yes I do! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6TRip58mKutZqs

[@quacquac_quacquac]

Thank u 🥰🥰

[@GDHT]

You’re welcome 😊

[@quacquac_quacquac]

@@GDHT 💕💕

[@timmytee734]

My project is on A4 and I need it printed but pdf changes the size of my logo. It's much smaller as it is in illustrator. Anyone knows why?

[@GDHT]

I've never come across this - do you have an effect on it? Or maybe it's a linked file that got updated at some point.