Which program should I use?
At Mennonite Press, Inc., we strive to maintain the
highest standards when printing your documents. We have the most popular
computer software packages on the market in order to provide you with the
best service possible. Although there are many programs to choose from, it
helps to understand the primary purpose of each software suite if you want
to produce documents of distinction.
While Mennonite Press can take almost any kind of file,
there are some kinds of files which require additional prepress time and
additional charges. If you do not have the program best suited for your
production process, please contact us and we will be glad to help you make
your project a success.
The information below will help you choose the best
program to use when creating a document, whether the production process is
offset printing or digital.
Adobe Acrobat PDF File is a converted Postscript
file that, when created properly, includes all fonts, graphics, and
components necessary to print your document exactly as you have created it.
This is the highly recommended way of saving files from
both MAC and PC platforms for the commercial printer.
Page Layout Software allows you to use various
elements (graphics, text, illustrations, etc.) to create a document. These
programs create files designed for offset printing where color separations can
then be
produced. (verify color separations in any imported graphic or illustration
before importing them into the document)
These programs require that all necessary elements be
included with the file in order for it to print correctly. There are wizards
in each program to collect all files for output to your commercial printer.
For questions on your specific page layout program please
contact us.
Examples of recommended Page Layout Software:
Adobe InDesign, QuarkXpress
Examples of not recommended and problematic Page Layout
Software:
Microsoft Publisher, Adobe PageMaker
Image Manipulation/Scanning Software is used to scan
photos or other artwork that can then be saved into a format to be used in a
page layout program. Color editing and special effects are among the
operations these programs can perform. This software ideal for converting
graphics to the proper file format or for changing color modes for printing.
Examples of Imaging Software:
Adobe Photoshop
Illustration/Drawing Software is used to create
graphic files that are designed to be used by other software programs. These
are ideal programs for creating EPS files (vector based images that can be
resized over and over with no loss of resolution). Be aware that
modifications to your graphic file can only be done in its native
application & version. Also, make sure that color mode is selected as CMYK
when creating files. This will insure accurate color separations when the
image in imported into a layout program.
One problem that frequently occurs with drawing programs
is the use of fonts as part of the graphic. It is recommended that the fonts
be changed into curves or outlines, which turns the font into an image
within the image. After doing this, the text cannot be modified.
If files are built in Adobe Illustrator instead of
a layout program, we will have to resave them in Encapsulated PostScript
form (.eps) and then place them into QuarkXpress or InDesign before they can
be processed. This will require additional prepress work and additional
charges.
Illustration/Drawing Software should NOT be used as layout
programs. They should only be used for graphic elements that would be placed
into Adobe InDesign or QuarkXpress documents.
Mennonite Press recommends using Adobe InDesign or QuarkXpress
programs to submit your files.
Examples of Illustration/Drawing Software:
Adobe Illustrator, Freehand, CorelDraw!
Word Processing Software
should
be used to input and revise text that will eventually be typeset and
formulated in a page layout program. You can save money by typing your own
text for output or for importing into another program. Page layout in these
programs are not guaranteed from computer to computer and from printer to
printer. Word Processing Software has limitations such as:
These programs are good for creating documents for office
use or small quantity distribution only, and not for print production.
Color capabilities are meant to be printed on desktop B&W or color printers
only.
Examples of Word Processing Software:
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Works, WordPerfect, Open Office
Presentation Software
is designed to produce color
transparencies, color copies or slides for presentations. This output is
limited to producing output for presentations only. These programs have the
same limitation as Word Processing Software in that they do not support
color separations and that graphics placed in this software typically print
out in low resolution.
These programs are good for creating slideshows, handouts, and booklets in
an office environment only, and not for print production. Color capabilities are meant to
be printed on desktop B&W or color printers only.
Examples of Presentation Software:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet Software is designed to produce charts and
graphs that may be included in other documents or presentations. While the
software may allow you to save the chart or graph as an EPS file, the
graphic will not color separate. This type of software is designed for
printing on desktop printers or B&W and color copiers.
These programs are good for creating documents for office
use or small quantity distribution only, and not for print production.
Color capabilities are meant to be printed on desktop B&W or color printers
only.
Examples of Spreadsheet Software:
Microsoft Excel, Lotus
