Creating a PDF from Quark 6.5

Before creating a PDF, please keep in mind:

• Fonts: Ensure that all fonts are loaded prior to creating your PDF
• Image Resolution: As a rule, all Photoshop images should have a resolution of 300 dpi. Any bitmap should be at 600 dpi
• Color Space: ALL RGB images should be converted to CMYK
• Color Separations: Run off laser separations ¹ to be certain your document will separate correctly
• Bleeds: Extend all elements that run off the edge of the page an additional 1/8" beyond the final trim size ².
• Document Size: Create your document at the final size you would like it produced. Avoid building on an oversized layout. Pay particular attention to panel sizes where one panel may need to be narrower to accomodate a fold (for instance, a tri-fold brochure)
• Transparency & Drop Shadows: Set the Transparency Flattener (Advanced Menu) to High Resolution
• Spot Colors: If spot colors are used in a 4-color process document, click the Ink Manager button in the Output Menu and check the "All Spots to Process" checkbox ³

Setting Your PDF Defaults

Initially you'll have to set up some presets in Quark. This is a one-time setup.

1. Go to the QuarkXpress 6 Preferences dialogue box WITH NO WINDOW OPEN.
2. Select "PDF" then click on "Direct to PDF", then on "Default Options"
3. Use the following settings:

Layout Info: Leave these fields blank

Hyperlinks Settings: Do not include Hyperlinks

Job Options Settings:

• Font Options:
  • "Embed All Fonts" selected
  • "Subset fonts below" 35%
• Compression Options:
  • Color Images:
    • Compression: Automatic ZIP/JPEG Low
    • Resolution: Subsample to: 300dpi
  • Grayscale Images:
    • Compression: Automatic ZIP/JPEG Low
    • Resolution: Subsample to: 300dpi
  • Monochrome Images:
    • Compression: CCITT Group 4
    • Resolution: Subsample to: 1200dpi
  • "Compress Text and Line Art" selected

  

Output Settings:

• Color Output:
  • Type: Composite
  • Print Colors: As Is
• Registration: Centered
• Offset: 9pt
• Bleed
  • Type: Symmetric
  • Amount: 0.125"

OPI Settings: "OPI Active" UNselected

When the above settings are correct, click OK.

After the PDF Export Options are set, go to File > Export/Layout. Click the Options button to ensure your new default settings are being applied. Name the file, then click Save.

¹ Separations are ways to make sure the proper colors are going to print where they should. This is especially important when using spot colors. When you print separations you will be printing one page for each color in your document. For documents that have no spot colors, you will be printing 4 pages - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. For documents with spot colors you’ll be printing the 4 CMYK pages plus pages for each spot color.
In Quark:
1. Click File > Print...
2. Under the Layout tab, select the “Separations” checkbox
3. Under the Output tab make sure “Print Colors” is set to Composite CMYK

² Bleed is the term usedtodescribe images that extend to the edges of the printed paper. To account for mechanical variations during trimming, it is recommended that you include an extra 1/8-inchon each edge of your project and extendimages to this outer edge if they are to 'bleed' off the edge of the final piece. For more information see About Bleed - http://www.serviceprinters.com/help/bleedinprinting.html

³ In Quark:
1. In the Colors Palette, Cmd+Click any spot color’s ink icon (to the right of the name) to open the Colors Window
2. Click “Edit” to open the Edit Color window
3. Uncheck the “Spot Color” checkbox
4. Click OK and then Save