Creating Postscript files

Postscript or EPS files are the first step (after preflighting) in creating a PDF. Although PDF files are preferred, if you are unable to make a PDF, we will accept either postscript or EPS files, along with your original files.

Postscript or EPS files which will be submitted to PrintCo need to be created a little differently than those which are created to make PDFs through Distiller. Our program to create PDFs has the ability to retain bleed information without files needing to be altered.

When using Distiller, bleed information is lost, unless the postscript or EPS files are created on oversize documents or created with trim marks selected during saving of the file.

For detailed instructions on creating Postscript files from Quark, download our PDF file.

1. Use the AdobePS printer driver. It should be at least version 8.7.3 for Macintosh and version 4.2.4 for Windows 95 and 98, and version 5.0.1 for Windows NT 4.0. If you do not have the latest versions, they are available for download from our website or ftp site.

If your computer gives you the option, choose either a virtual printer or a generic printer as your device.

2. Select the Print command and choose the Acrobat Distiller PPD or the Apogee PPD. Acrobat 4.0 automatically installs this on your system. (Acrobat Distiller for Mac, ADIST4.PPD for Windows) If you do not have this PPD, it is also available for download.

3. If your document does not contain bleeds, do not select registration or crop marks, if an option. Set paper size to match document size. If your document does contain bleeds, see the following page. Use portrait orientation. Turn off all postscript options,if available. 4. Select the destination to be File, or select Print to File, however your application words it. If available in your printer options, select the format as postscript job for level 1,2, and 3, data format as binary, and be sure to include ALL fonts. 5. Submit the document for printing to a file.You should be prompted as to what to name the file and where to save it.

Follow the same instructions as for creating a postscript file to send to Printco, however, if the document contains bleeds, it needs to be oversized to retain the bleeds in our system. If you do not oversize your document, or create the PDF with crop marks, all bleed information will be lost.

1. 1. Make sure your bleeds extend at least 1/8" beyond the trim area of the page. For covers and thick books, make bleeds 1/4" to allow for extra trimming allowances.
2. 1. Select crop marks and enter .25" for bleed area, if required in the application.
   2. Select paper size 1" larger than document size
   3. Print the document to a file.
   or
   1. Make the document size 1" larger both height and width.
   2. Create crop marks on the document pages, making sure to position crop marks in exactly the same place on each page (use a master page if possible)
3. Continue with instructions as shown on the previous pages. After the postscript file has been created, it is now ready to run through Distiller. If your application has the ability to export or save the file as a PDF, you can now choose that option.

The final PDF should look like the illustration above, showing the crop marks and bleeds extended.

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