Protecting Your PDF Files | Newsletter

Many of you may already know about the features in Adobe® Acrobat Pro® that provide document password protection for restricting viewing privileges. In addition to this, did you know that there are also password protection options to limit the printing and editing of a PDF document? This is available to us in the Document Properties of every PDF document.

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Password Security For PDF Printing and Editing

As graphic artists and commercial printers all over the world move business and personal data from place to place using PDF files, many of us want to protect ourselves from unauthorized access, editing or alteration or these files. Stories of formulas, government secrets or sensitive personal data falling into the wrong hands is the stuff of headlines, bestsellers and movies, but when it occurs in real life it can become a horror of legal hassles or even worse. So what is the best way to secure a PDF?

Let’s first take a look at how to apply password protection to a PDF document using Acrobat Pro to help make them more secure. After that we will show you how to verify the password protection in any PDF file. We will also discuss a when you might want to apply password security.

Click the title to read the entire article...

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Boon For Creative Professionals-Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro

Written by: Elliot Harvey

Adobe Acrobat 9 professional creates refined Portable Document Format (PDF) files, facilitates PDF portfolio creation, improved color conversions, and extremely accurate document comparison feature. Among the thousands, few features which gives a good reason for spending your hard earned money on purchase of Acrobat 9 pro comprises, electronic document reviews, enhanced 256-bit encryption, new native flash support and improved forms.

On top of it all, the new features haven’t affected the speed. In fact, Adobe Acrobat Pro 9 is sleek & faster than ever.

Click the title to read the entire article...

Press-Ready Settigns in Acrobat Distiller 9 | Newsletter

This week I updated the Adobe Settings section to include Adobe® Acrobat Distiller® 9. Just like the previous versions of Acrobat, this article describes how to create a custom Press-Ready PDF setting for use in converting your PostScript® files to press-ready PDF files.

Even though there are a number of steps, the settings are basically the same as the Adobe PDF/X-1a:2001 standard subset. However, I prefer a more relaxed version of this standard. There are two changes that I like to make for creating a Press-Ready PDF subset.

The first has to do with the a change in the Color window pane, under the Color Management Policies section. I like to change the option from Convert All Colors to CMYK to Leave Color Unchanged. This leaves all images alone, without any conversion. Normally, I don’t mind this because most prepress professionals prefer to manage image color. This also preserves RGB images for use at digital and inkjet printers.

The next change is in the Standards window pane, under the Standards Reporting and Compliance section. I like to change the Compliance Standard: field from PDF/X-1a (Acrobat 4.0 Compatible) to None. This feature limits your output to one intent only. I like to have a little more versatility, for multiple workflows.

By making these two simple changes to the PDF/X-1a:2001 subset, you will be able to create looser Press-Ready PDF files that follow the PDF/X-1a standard. To see the entire article, check out Adobe Settings / Adobe Acrobat Distiller 9. Or, if you need additional constructive information on how to prepare your files for press, checkout PrepressX.com.

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PrepressX Newsletters Online

I have posted the PrepressX Newsletters online for easy reference. If you would like to refer any past articles, or forward the contents to anyone, use this new Newsletters section to find what you are looking for.

Additionally, we update our social network pages with the Newsletter links.

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Adobe InDesign CS4 Articles

I've just updated the PrepressX website with four new articles demonstrating how to make PDF and PostScript files using Adobe InDesign CS4. This includes how to make PDF and Print Presets.

The transition from CS3 to CS4 for these functions are simple and straight forward. To learn more, check out the following Adobe InDesign CS4 articles.

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Adobe PDF Presets

The Adobe PDF Presets function for Adobe® InDesign® CS4 is basically the same as CS3. As a matter of fact, if you already have defined a Press-Ready PDF preset from CS3, this will be available when you upgraded to CS4. If you are a new InDesign user, then you can use the following steps to create a Press-Ready PDF preset. Use this PDF preset with the Export as PDF function for fast and consistent results. Click the title to read more...

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Export as PDF

The process of making a press-ready PDF in Adobe® InDesign® CS4 is similar to CS3. We will show you how to make a press-ready PDF by using the Export function along with a pre-defined Press-Ready PDF preset. We use the Adobe PDF Presets extensively, so if you have not created a preset yet, please check out the PDF Presets article. There are instructions to help you with making a press-ready PDF style for this application. Complete the following steps to create your own Press-Ready PDF preset from Adobe InDesign CS4. Click the title to read more...

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Print Presets

The process and setting for creating a PostScript® file from Adobe® InDesign® CS4 is similar to CS3. If you are a first time user to InDesign, or even if you are upgrading to CS4 from a previous version, you will need to create a new print preset for the CS4 version.

To make the printing of a PostScript file fast and consistent, we are going to show you how to make a PostScript File print preset using the Print Presets function. You will be able to select this preset each time you print a PostScript file. Complete the following steps to create your own custom PostScript File print preset. Click the title to read more...

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Print a PostScript File

The process of making a PostScript® file in Adobe® InDesign® CS4 is similar to CS3. A PostScript file created using this method can be used to generate multiple PDF files, like for making digital proofs and submitting for press. Use the many different Adobe Settings in Adobe Acrobat Distiller® to make as many PDF files as you like from this one PostScript file.

We will show you how to make a PostScript file by using the Print function along with a pre-defined PostScript File print preset. We use the print presets extensively, so check out the Print Presets article for instructions if you have not made a one yet. Complete the following steps to create a PostScript file from Adobe InDesign CS4. Click the title to read more...

Publisher Help at PrepressX

Did you know that there is a free Microsoft® Office® Add-In that enables you to create press-ready PDF files without Adobe® Acrobat®? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could direct your Microsoft Office Publisher® clients to submit press-ready PDF files instead of their native collection of PC files? All without having to purchase any additional software! Well it is possible, we have all that information - and more - for you right now.

Check out some of the many articles that help you with your MS Office Publisher production needs at PrepressX.com.

Free 2007 Microsoft Office Add-in: Save as PDF

This download allows you to export and save to the PDF format in eight 2007 Microsoft Office programs. It also allows you to send files as e-mail attachments in the PDF format in a subset of these programs. For download and installation instructions click here.

Publish as PDF

To export as a PDF in Microsoft Office Publisher, we are going to use the free Microsoft Save as PDF Add-In. This will include a publishing function in the File menu options. We will demonstrate how to do this here.

Print as PDF

This print method generates a PDF directly from the Print menu, without the need for an intermediate PostScript® file. It requires Adobe Acrobat to be installed on your computer system. It also takes advantage of the custom Press-Ready Adobe Setting made in Acrobat Distiller. For more information click here.

Converting Colors

We demonstrate how to convert Color Schemes/Accent Colors to process color builds or even to Pantone spot colors.

Email Topics Reminder

To help anyone looking for more information, click the email icon at the top right of any article to send an email of the topic link. Your contact information will be included.

Check out our website to see how you can use PrepressX to help with your Microsoft Office Publisher needs.

PrepressX Newsletter

How PrepressX Can Help You!

PrepressX was developed to provide helpful information on making press-ready digital files, and can be easily E-mailed to anyone. Any account, customer service, or sales representative can use this website's information to help answer their contact's prepress related questions.

Search Topics

On the PrepressX homepage there are three methods to easily navigate the website, helping you to find the subject you are looking for. First; the PrepressX Topics panel, second; the Topics Menus; and third; the advanced keyword Search bar.

Email Articles

Once you have found an article that you are looking for, you can E-mail this information to your contact by simply clicking the E-mail icon located in the upper right-hand corner of each article.

A pop-up form will appear next. Fill out your information and click Send. Our website will handle the blind E-mail sending (we DO NOT see or keep records of this information).

The recipient will receive an E-mail, similar to the screen grab below, with a link back to our website article. Additionally, all server and reply messages will be directed to Your E-mail.

It's free, easy, and available at any time that’s convenient for you. If you don’t find a topic that’s covered, and you think it’s appropriate for the PrepressX website - please send me your suggestions. I hope you find this useful and that our website brings you much support.

The PrepressX Newsletter

This is our website's first newsletter! This new feature will allow me to stay in touch with you, and my other site users, on a regular basis.

I hope you find it useful and enjoy it!

Introducing PrepressX

A unique site devoted to anyone interested in having their graphic projects commercially printed directly from digital files or PDFs. We will continuously update references, tutorials, and resources to provide you with free, cutting-edge information that ensures your final project is ready for press.

On this site we will take a look at how the files you submit to your favorite offset printer effect the final results of the printed piece and the various ways you can positively influence these results. We will explain how to identify potential problems in jobs before they go to press so that you can prevent alteration charges and production delays. Additionally, we show you how to retain more creative control, and ultimately receive what you want and expect from your printer.

PrepressX Directory

The PrepressX directory is an exclusive resource for the printing and graphics community. With over 5,000 hits each month, and hundreds of listing already, join the ever growing community today!

Browse through our directory and discover the bargains, free stuff, and wide variety of websites that may be of interest to you. Or, login and submit your own listing -- for free -- to increase your internet exposure!