Graphic format in PDF

[kurt.santo]

I encountered some problems creating PDFs with our logo. The only file format that is acceptable on screen is PNG, printed EPS would have been better. Still, even this one is not the greatest. Which format would you use in PDF? It would be great to have good result on screen, but also when printed...

Kurt

[Dubbya]

They usually just end up compressed .jpg images anyway. Since that's the case, just import a .tif file. They're a distant cousin of the .jpg file and renowned for great image quality with virtually undetectable (LYZ) compression. To ensure that the file will look it's best, be sure to adjust the image compression settings before you save the .pdf file.

I use .tif files all the time and they work out great at 150-300 dpi. (Minimum 150 dpi for printing reasonably well.)

Alternatively, if you're using a layout program such as CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator, you can create vector graphics, save the file out as a .pdf and it'll render perfectly be it onscreen or in print.

[kurt.santo]

Dubbya,
Thank you for your reply. The problem is that I print with the Acrobat distiller from Word and create in this way my PDF. There aren't really any setting as far as I know. Also, tried to use TIF, but looked horrible... Do you know how I would change setting from inside Word or in the print dialogue?

Kurt

[Dubbya]

Believe me, I know where you're coming from. Word is notorious for crappy onscreen rendering of .eps and .tif files. Don't be too disappointed as usually the final output, whether printed to .pdf or hard copy, looks much better.

Additionally, you'd get somewhat better results by using MS Publisher. I say "somewhat" as Publisher isn't the best solution either.

[BossWebmaster]

If you want to use a real layout program, get InDesign, it will handle all of those formats with no problem and it has PDF presets for screen or print PDFs. You can also make password protected PDFs. When I send people proofs of my graphics, I send them PDFs with the print option disabled so they can't use them without paying me.

[jackit_chick]

Hmmm I do not prefer using Indesign by itself because I like tweaking my images (adjusting the levels and the dpi) before importing them into indesign. For this I use Photoshop. You can save from photoshop to a pdf as well. So of course to get the best you have to buy the expensive software, like adobe creative suite. But if you cannot afford to spend $1200 or whatever it's going for now, I would just buy photoshop.

[BossWebmaster]

microsoft word isn't free either

photoshop by itself is 999, entire creative suite is 1799, CS upgrade price is 599.

by the way, if yo buy CS1 on ebay you're elligable to buy the upgrade.

on the same note, if you buy photoshop 1 on ebay(or wherever) you can get the CS3 upgrade. Just make sure whoever is selling it to you transfers the license.

just a little tip :)

I love telling people how to beat the system...

[richard-s]

Some low-cost alternatives:

The Open Office Suite (free) can read and write Microsoft formats. It provides built-in PDF export facilities. It also includes a drawing tool as well as an equivalent to Powerpoint.

Sun Star Office is a low cost "enterprise version" of Open Office.

All Serif programs provide PDF export facilities, most can also import (most) PDF files for editing.

Serif Pageplus = Publishing; Drawplus = Vector drawing; Photoplus = Image editing; Webplus = Web editing. etc. etc.

Richard

[Conficio]

Look here for help to export/save a file to PDF on OpenOffice Writer (http://plan-b-for-openoffice.org/writer/topic/export-text-document-as-pdf)

The draw features can be used in Impress (http://plan-b-for-openoffice.org/glossary/term/impress), or Writer (http://plan-b-for-openoffice.org/glossary/term/writer) or the separate Draw (http://plan-b-for-openoffice.org/glossary/term/draw).

Good luck

K<o>

[jonisolis]

Logos and text can look funny in the PDF file and in Microsoft Word, but don't judge the way they look on screen if you are after print quality. Print out the PDF file then check it over. Most of the time it prints out great. It just doesn't look great on the computer screen.

[jonisolis]

I love Serif DrawPlus - great price and features - but really love how easy it was to learn to use. It also makes PDF files.

I save simple flat color logos as WMF files in Serif DrawPlus and then add them to the Microsoft Word file. Full color logos with 3D effects I save as PNG image files and insert them in MSWord. From Microsoft Word I make PDFs using PrimoPDF from the print command.

[kurt.santo]

Unforunately, I have to use Word (unless someone know an alternative to what I am doing with it). I use if for invoicing.

Word offers the facility to include a spreadsheet, which is updated each time I change the source spreadsheet. What I do is to enter details of my services in spreadsheet and when the month is over I just create a PDF from Word (reflects all what I have done).

For me it is important that logo looks good on screen, but also printed. Not sure how many would actually print the invoice...

Kurt

[jackit_chick]

I would just try saving it as a tif and save it the exact size you want it to be on the paper. Do not stretch it out in word for it will print poorly, and shrinking it will probably print alright but on the screen it might not look that great. Have you tried this and does it help?

[BossWebmaster]

I have tried this, it will help some. The problem with MS Word is it will degrade the quality of images placed into it, because it embeds the image, and converts it to it's own format. So it really doesn't matter if it's a TIF or whatever.

[kurt.santo]

Yes, also tried TIFs (actually tried all available formats), but still bad result... I was not aware that Word converts the graphics to its own format. It makes sense then that it looks not the greatest.

Is there any other program I could use to import my spreadsheet in dedicated area of doccument? How you guys keep track of you invoices? I found it helps just to enter quickly date, description and hours into my spreadsheet. The rest gets calcuated and at the end I just open the Word invoice and it updates the figures...

KUrt

[webmax]

If you absolutely must use MS Word, try exporting the graphic as a 150dpi jpg, RGB, and bring it into the letterhead part of Word or as a watermark. Word has those different import options - look for them. Don't stretch the graphic once in Word. If the size is not right, go back to the original program and reexport. Once locked into those special areas of watermark or letterhead or ... bottom of page, I don't remember the name of it, it prints pretty decently without being overly heavy.
Also, try the printer settings. Go for the better quality.
If you send me the logo I could fix it and stick it into a Word template in less time than it took me to write this. Send to amruffatti@gmx.net
What do we do? We print the new data out of Excel using macros into a preprinted paper that has our logo, address, etc.

[kurt.santo]

Cheers, will have a go...

Kurt