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Preparing a Digital File:
This
is a short guide to preparing digital files for
output on digital copiers. If you follow these
simple guidelines for preparing your files it
will not only save you time, but also help your
project get finished correctly. Basically files
come in two flavors, Native (Word, Excel, PageMaker,
QuarkXpress, Corel Draw, etc.) and Portable formats
(PDF and Postscript).
NATIVE
FILES
Native file have the advantage of being able to
be edited for changes easily by you or at the
Copy Plus. When preparing Native files for output
be sure to include all needed support files (graphics,
fonts, etc.) used in making the document. Try
not to use too many different kinds of graphics
(TIF, BMP, GIF, PNG, PICT, WMF, etc.) in a single
document as this can lead to printing problems.
Many programs now have a method of saving your
project WITH all the support files automatically
in one file or folder for easy transmission to
your Copy Plus. In PageMaker it is called Collect
For Output, in PowerPoint it is called Packing.
PDF (Adobe Acrobat)
Another approach is the Portable Document Format
(PDF). This is a special document format that
can be viewed and printed on many different kinds
of computers. The program to view these documents
is freely available for download at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.htmll.
It is called the Acrobat Reader. If you want to
create these kinds of documents you will need
to buy the Acrobat Distiller. The Distiller allows
you to output your Native file documents to the
PDF format. It will automatically include all
graphics and font styles used in your document
and does so in a way that does not violate any
copyrights. The PDF format is also usually much
smaller than the combination of Native files and
graphics, thus quicker to print and transfer to
the Copy Plus . The only drawback to this method
of preparing your files is that the PDF format
only allows very limited editing, so if your document
is going to need a lot of revisions you may want
to consider sending us your original Native file.
If
you want to create these kind of documents you
do not need to buy any software, just download
the free Adobe Print Driver and install the virtual
printer. After printing your file to the virtual
printer you can send it to us where we can create
a PDF or hardcopy to your specifications
RELATED LINKS:
Color
Output Tips: This section is a primer on how
to get consistent color output through the use
of color charts from our various color output
devices
Scanning
Images: This section will give you tips on
how to get good results when scanning images.
Copyright
Issues: Copy Plus Copying Guidelines are based
on U.S. Copyright Laws regarding copyrighted works
and trademarks.
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