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Technical Support/PDF

How do I create working PDFs from my Quark 4.0-5.0 files?

There used to be many steps involved in creating a working PDF from a Quark file. Fortunately, Quark has made available a plug-in that automates much of the process. The first thing you need to do is get the latest version of the PDF plugin (v.1.6) by clicking on one (and only one) of the following:

For Macs: [Click Here]

For PCs: [Click Here]

You must use a special PPD created by the DDAP Association. Load the PPD into your Macintosh System Folder > Extensions > Printer Descriptions; or into the Windows > System folder on your PC. Download the DDAP V3 PPD for Mac or PC here. This PPD is specified on the output tab of the Export PDF Filter (shown below).

Once you've installed the PDF Extension, you can create a working PDF by going to Utilities > Export as PDF... and entering a proper filename:

Export as PDF

Then, click on the Preferences tab to make sure the screens are set up as follows:

Preferences: Document Info

 

Preferences: Hyperlinks

 

Preferences: Job Options

 

Preferences: Output

It's very important that you set the bleed to 0.125" and use the "DDAPv3 PPD" instead of "Acrobat Distiller".

And now the most important thing of all. Before clicking "Save," you must be sure that Distiller has been set up with the correct job options activated. That process is described here. When you click Save, Quark outputs your pages to a PostScript file and then calls on Distiller to do the processing. If the wrong options were set in Distiller, the resulting PDF file will not be compliant (graphics might be low res, etc.)

Checking your PDF after its creation is essential. The newest features of many programs (such as transparency in InDesign and Illustrator) may not work in PDFs. Printing laser separations and running FlightCheck should be a part of any PDF workflow.

If you are using this workflow to process digital ads, you may export your PDFs to EPS files before placing back them into Quark. You can do that by going to File > Export > PostScript or EPS and making the selections below. It is necessary to do this only if your laser printer cannot process PDFs natively (United Litho can accept PDFs placed directly into Quark files):

EPS Export

If you are not running Quark 4.1 or do not have the PDF plug-in, you will have to create your PostScript file the old-fashioned way. When your document is ready for PDFing, go to File > Print and make the following selections:

Print Menu: Document

Note that the screen capture above is not using a "print style." You may want to set up a style for these selections so that you don't have to check or re-choose everything every time you want to create PDFs.

Print Menu: Setup

WARNING: You'll have to set the paper width and height to reflect your trim size plus .25" (.125" on each side) This is very important! Some examples:

  • For 8-3/8 x 10-7/8", use 8.625 x 11.125
  • For 8-1/4 x 10-7/8", use 8.5 x 11.125
  • For 8-1/8 x 10-7/8", use 8.375 x 11.125
  • For 8-3/8 x 10-1/4", use 8.625 x 10.5

Print Menu: Output

 

Print Menu: Options

Make sure you include images since we are not using OPI.

Print Menu: Preview

Once you've verified the information on this tab (remember, the paper and document sizes will differ depending on your trim size), click on the "Printer..." button.

Warning

You may want to select "Don't show this warning again" to avoid seeing it over and over.

Print to File: General

Make sure your destination is set to "File."

Print to File: PostScript Settings

Make sure that font inclusion is set to "All." If you forget to include fonts, you'll have to tell Adobe Distiller where all of your fonts are located, which could be time consuming. It's a lot easier to just have them downloaded now.

Click Save, choose a file name and you're ready for distilling. Get more details on distilling here.

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