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AgentCooper · #1 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 10:58 AM

I'm very new to the prepress world so bare with me on this.

A couple of major issues we have been experiencing are as follows:

1. documents not centering properly in trueflow -the document is centered on the page in the application that created it, centered on the tureflow pdf that is sent to our stripping dept. and then when loaded it cuts off the edge from time to time.

2. jagged text -on some files (not all) we have jagged text. If you open the trueflow pdf in acrobat, pitstop, or the application that created it you will see clean perfect text. Once it goes through the trueflow system....jagged text.

3. Document bleeds - documents sent to stripping with appropriate bleeds will randomly load cutting off some of the bleed.

Anyone have these same problems? Where should I start in finding a solution?

prepress_brillance_43 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 12:39 PM

what, if any, imposition software are you using? flatworker by chance?

there is a setting in trueflow... on your HF & Ticket window... there should be a tab for "assign settings" for your imposition. make sure you have "center" chosen as your layout origin.

AgentCooper · #3 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 12:55 PM

Well, I'll have to find that out. You see I'm not the person that acutally uses TrueFlow.

I'm the Art Director who is about ready to pull all my hair out because of all the things TrueFlow seems to be doing to the files my dept. sends over.

We started out having issues with type overprinting in areas that were close to masks or clipping paths. Screen did come out and fix that problem. Apparently it was some sort of setting. As for all the other issues I've posted up in this thread........I've yet to find the solution to the problem.

As with most shops when a problem comes up you start with the source. That means it's always kicked back to graphics. Our problem is that the files we have problems with are things that are not showing up in the files we preview etc.

It's almost like 2 + 2 does not equal 4.

prepress_brillance_43 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 01:20 PM

I see. So what type of files are you sending to them? Illy pdf's, quark pdf's, inDesign pdf's, eps's, etc etc....

I have issues with fonts that are in layers "under/behind" masks or transparency effects(like dropshadows) the font or even part of the font will rasterize with the mask/transparency when the pdf is created from Illustrator. If your department is building these files it is crucial to understand how masks and transparencies interact with type. I would make it a rule of thumb to keep type on its "own" layer, and always bring it to the front. As for the other stuff, like clipping the image it sounds as if the pdf's are not centering in the impo software, so I would ask those guys using trueflow.... sorry if this doesnt help much.

AgentCooper · #5 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 01:30 PM

We are generating pdf's using the trueflow pdf settings out of illustrator, and Indesign mainly.

Sometimes we provide just the .eps file right out of illustrator, but we have been trying to provide the "trueflow pdfs" that they recommended.

I feel like it's some sort of setting that they might be overlooking. For example I have job right now that I'm trying to figure out. It's a 4 over 4 6 x9 postcard. Simple art layed out in Indesign and exported as a press ready PDF. This is something we have always done......nothing has changed on the art side.

So, I get the press sheets back and side 1 of this job looks perfect. Side 2 has pixelated type. Both are from the same file! The back text that is pixelated is sitting next to a placed photoshop image. Not sure if that could cause anything thought....especially since the front has placed images as well yet it did not pixelate.

That's one of the main issues with this. It's not consistent. If it always happened with files generated out of Indesign then we would figure it out.....but it's not just Indesign. Very confusing though!

prepress_brillance_43 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 01:38 PM

I would highly recommend inspecting the layering of the type (that's pixelated) in conjunction to the placed art. It really sounds to me like it is interpreting the type as part of the placed image and rasters it when creating the pdf. The other type that hasnt rastered is most likely "in front" of the placed image. and therefore is interpreted as it should be...

AgentCooper · #7 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 01:44 PM

That sort of makes sense.

However, what if it's an illustrator file with placed images and type? Illustrators "layers" are much different than photoshops. If the type is sitting on top or near a placed image or mask/clipping path and it is "brought to front" trueflow shouldn't be doing anything to the type.

It does look like the type is being rasterized though. The sep. preview in acrobat will show perfectly clean type. Lasers, and even Epson color proofs will show the type as perfectly clean. It all happens once Trueflow sends it to plate. Most of these type issues aren't caught until it's on press.

It seems to me that Trueflow is doing the rasterizing and not the application that is generating the pdf.

Interesting to say the least.

prepress_brillance_43 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 02:01 PM

what version Trueflow, do you know? I was under the impression that trueflow creates a rastered pdf file/or even a 1-bit TIFF to send to the platemaker, so it makes sense that the transparency is being kept "live" until then.

Illy IS different with its layering. Type could be placed onto its own layer, and this would solve the issue. If not done from the beginning of creation it can get messy though. :?

AgentCooper · #9 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 02:24 PM

We are on version 3 with the most recent upgrade.

Putting type in illustrator in it's own layer would not be good. We cannot expect our customers to actually build illustrator files like that. The majority of designers ignore the layers in illustrator and just build in the document.

I'm sure there is a solution though...just not sure what it is yet.

prepress_brillance_43 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-10-2005, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AgentCooper

We are on version 3 with the most recent upgrade.

Putting type in illustrator in it's own layer would not be good. We cannot expect our customers to actually build illustrator files like that. The majority of designers ignore the layers in illustrator and just build in the document.

I'm sure there is a solution though...just not sure what it is yet.

I understand. But that is how I have gotten it to work. AND it is what quite a few folks on PPF have said they do as well. looked and couldnt find the threads... you can always raster the whole thing in Photoshop, worse comes to worse. :roll: sorry I havent been able to help much.