Prepressforums.com

Trinity · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005, 08:45 AM

Imposition software isn't something that every designer has in their toolbox, as they might not need it. Printers usually tend to do the imposition for the designers, but that is not always the case. Do you use imposition software? If you do, what do you use and why?

Please answer this poll and share your experience.

Cory · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005, 10:01 AM

not to knock on any designers out there...

but as a printer, the thought of our designers doing their own imposition scares me..

the designer doesn't have enough information to do proper imposition.

Too many decisions need to be made between prepress, pressroom and bindery before a imposition is made.

Trinity · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005, 10:14 AM

Quote:

the designer doesn't have enough information to do proper imposition.

Too many decisions need to be made between prepress, pressroom and bindery before a imposition is made.

My main printer is like that too. But you won't believe how many times I saw posts in forums from designers asking how to do imposition because their printer asked for it. If this happens it usually happens with small printers.

I got asked to do imposition once and it was pathetic. I was asked to put an A3 (420 x 297 mm) job two up on a sheet. The printer couldn't do it apparently.

Cory · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005, 10:44 AM

really makes you wonder what the prepress person is doing if they can't lay something out 2-up.

Trinity · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005, 10:47 AM

It does indeed.

preppy · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005, 11:33 AM

If a printer asked a designer to do the imposition, I would find another printer.

Imposition for one printer may not be the same as another. Printers may decide to run on one, two or more presses of different sheet sizes, hence changing the imposition.

When in doubt, work closely with your printer. Usually your best bet is to speak with the prepress manager not a CSR or sales rep.

Trinity · #7 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005, 11:46 AM

Quote:

If a printer asked a designer to do the imposition, I would find another printer.

That's pretty much what I advise too. The problems arise when one can only afford to work with a small printer that doesn't have a prepress department or there is nobody else in the area.

I am on the designer side of production and I always like to give my printers artwork that will give very little to do. The printer I use mainly is one I like to work with as they do their prepress jobs well (and print well too obviously). No "can you do the imposition" questions.

They do have a B2 press and an A3 press and sometimes I don't know where my jobs go. Once I had a web(press) job to do and that is another story all together. I think that if a designer can give a job to a printer that doesn't require any intervention a part from doing the imposition and RIPping the file (and relink all the graphics and stuff if the file wasn't a PDF), then he has done his job. If the printer can't take it from there, then the printer isn't doing the job.

But if a printer has to do more than that, then the designer should re-evaluate what he is doing.

preppy · #8 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005, 05:22 PM

I have worked on all sides of the field from design to production to prepress. I have always taken pride in delivering properly prepared files to my printers.

As a prepress manager, I always tell my clients to provide a print ready pdf (pdf-x1a), the native files, all the fonts (screen and printer), hires files & photoshop layered. I figure if I can get part of this list, I maybe able to complete the job.

Unfortuantely, the definition of a "professional designer" has been watered down. Anyone who delivers a file to a printer is now a "professional". From a printers view point, we recieve files from some secretary with publisher that couldn't even tell you what CMYK stands for or what resolution a files should be to print hires.

I appreciate all the effort of designers to properly prepare their files.