Article: Print publishing secrets. (How-to: PDF Workflow).

In a PDF workflow, designers send PDF (Portable Document Format) files, rather than files from applications such as QuarkXPress and Adobe Photoshop, to service bureaus and printers. A PDF workflow can reduce costs and error rates, but an improperly prepared PDF can cause problems. A subset of PDF--PDF/X--can make PDF workflows work. I will help you decide whether PDF/X is right for you.

Flexibility versus Reliability

One big problem with sending application files to a service bureau is that they're too flexible. Anyone can open a native file and change text, colors, layout, and so on, with potentially disastrous results. If you're accustomed to your ...

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