Claudia McCue - Real World Print Production

[]Acrobat [See .].]Creative Suite (CS)imagesAdobe PDF [See .]native PSD files [See .]alterations [See .].] []bleed [].]black [See .]CMYK [See .]inks [See .]RGB [See .]spot color [See .]swatches [See .]computer-to-plate (CTP)conversionsCMYK.]file naming [See file naming for cross-platform.] []dummy []encapsulated PostScript [See .].].]exporting filesPDF (Portable Document Format) files []filescompression [See .]cross-platform use, file naming forvector raster.]finishing [See .]FreeHand [See .] []graphicsInDesignvector graphics [See .] [] []Illustrator [See .]embedded imagesformats for printlinked imagesraster images [See .]vector graphics [See .]importing filesInDesign [See .].] []proofing cycles [] []linking images [].]Macromedia FreeHand [See .]moir []Photoshop native files (PSD) []Macintosh [See .]platform issues [See .]Windows [See .] []page layout filespage proofs [See .]PageMaker, Adobe [See .]Pantonepaths.]exports and importsPhotoshop [See .]pixelsplatesCTP [See .]platforms [See .]Portable Document Format [See .]PostScript [See .]print service providerprintersfonts [See .]printing, color [See .]problem-solving, InDesignproduction tipsPSD (Photoshop native files) [].] []registrationresolution.]RIP [See .] []scalingFPO [See .]drop shadows [See .]simplifying complex artworksize.]spiral binding [See .].] [] []textfonts [See .]vector files, handling texttoolbars [See .]transparencytrappingtrimPDF files [] []file formats [] [] []

When you enjoy what you do for a living, your education never stops. And if your education never stops, there's a good chance that you'll get more enjoyment out of what you do for a living. I once worked with a guy who didn't understand my fondness for learning new software. He once said to me, "If you learn that, they'll just make you do it all the time." Understandably, he couldn't fathom why I'd go to trade shows and conferences for fun. I'm sure he was disturbed by the fact that I referred to the now-defunct Seybold Seminars in Boston as "Spring Break."

If you consider yourself an avid, life-long learner, and you'd like to add to your arsenal of printing knowledge, I hope you'll find the resources in this appendix useful. I've included information about organizations, online resources, books, and publications, and even some print-related tourist destinations. Really.

Organizations related to the graphic arts industry vary in structure and offerings. Some are small, loosely knit, informal user groups that meet for snacks and presentations (not necessarily in that order of importance). Some larger organizations are more like corporations with regional chapters, and they often hold annual international conferences that include extensive seminar offerings, exhibit booths, and awards banquets.

Some organizations consist only of a Web presence and perhaps online forums. Regardless of the type of group that appeals to you, it's helpful to join organizations in order to see how other people approach design and print. Meeting other professionals in the industry, and seeing their work, is inspirational as well as educational.

Unlike groups geared toward general design or printing industry members, user groups are usually devoted to a single software program or a suite of programs. The Adobe Acrobat and InDesign user groups hold chapter meetings in various cities around the world. While these two groups are supported by Adobe, they are funded and run by the group members themselves. A typical user group meeting might include demonstrations of software features, opportunities to have questions answered and technical issues solved by expert users or guest speakers, and a chance to win software, books, and other door prizes. And don't forget those snacks.

• Adobe Acrobat User Community www.acrobatusers.com

  Started in 2006, the Acrobat user community is growing rapidly. The Web site offers links to the individual chapters, as well as tips, tutorials, and video presentations.

• Adobe InDesign User Group www.indesignusergroup.com

  The InDesign user group Web site is a rich portal to all things InDesign, including chapter information, useful plug-ins, and tutorials. It's also an easy doorway to the Adobe forums and the great InDesign Secrets site. Check out the InDesign Secrets podcast!

Joining online communities and forums is sort of like raising your hand and having the entire world answer you. Post a question in an online forum, and the answers arrive in your in-box. Strong emotions and priceless information make the online communities like lively little villages, including the inevitable family squabbles.

Some forums (fora? forii?) are sponsored by software vendors, and feature the expected product announcements and sales pitches in addition to useful resources. Some forums are maintained strictly by enthusiasts, and are free of any corporate influence.

• Adobe Forums www.adobe.com/support/forums

  Adobe forums are available for all Adobe products. While the forums are predominantly user-to-user in nature, they are moderated for civility, and Adobe staff are frequent contributors. The topics are a mix of general software issues and printing issues.

• Macromedia Products, including FreeHand MX www.communitymx.com

  CommunityMX includes news about Macromedia products Dreamweaver, FreeHandMX, Fireworks, and ColdFusion, as well as online tutorials.

• National Association of Photoshop Users www.photoshopuser.com

  The National Association of Photoshop Users (NAPP), is a national organization that provides online tutorials, publishes a bimonthly magazine, and hosts regional seminar events in addition to its yearly Photoshop World conference. Members are also eligible for discounts on software and hardware.

• PDF Zone www.pdfzone.com

  A service of Ziff Davis Media, PDF Zone contains PDF-related industry news, as well as tips, tricks, and tutorials. Not all of the content is print-related, though.

• Planet PDF www.planetpdf.com

  Planet PDF is a service of BinaryThing, a software development company devoted to Acrobat solutions. The searchable Planet PDF store offers a huge variety of plug-ins and software related to Acrobat. The online content also includes tips, tricks, and PDF-themed articles about a wide spectrum of industry uses for Acrobat.

• PrintPlanet www.printplanet.com

  Created and maintained by Dave Mainwaring, the PrintPlanet forums are some of the most lively and most useful printing resources on the Web. Forums are devoted to individual topics, including prepress, digital printing, printing technology, packaging, and fonts. And there are great training resources available in the associated PrintPlanet University, a service of PrePress Training Solutions.

• QuarkXPress Forums www.quark.com/service/forums

  While most of the Quark forums are unmoderated, the Printing, PDF, and Fonts forums provide a great way for QuarkXPress users to share and solve real-world printing issues with their peers. Have a problem? You're probably not the only one. And someone else probably has the answer.