General Rules
DO create and edit your text in a word processing application such as Microsoft Word and then import the text to a desktop publishing application such as InDesign, Pagemaker, NIcrosoft Publisher or Corel Ventura where you can create your page layout, format the text with graphics, etc.
DO use Adobe InDesign for desktop publishing. InDesign is fully-integrated with its sister apps, Photoshop and Illustrator. Another page layout program is Adobe Pagemaker, now discontinued but still around.
DON'T use Microsoft Word as a desktop publishing application. Word does have many of the same layout features as desktop publishing apps such as Quark and InDesign (i.e., it can create columns, import graphics, create nice laser prints, etc.) but when it comes to commercial printing, Word is not going to get you very far. Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, etc. are word processing applications, NOT desktop publishing/layout programs. They handle font replacement differently and often cause reflow. If you can do your output as a PDF that is set to your printers specifications.
DON'T create your page layout for multi-page documents in draw programs such as Illustrator or Freehand. Always use desktop publishing programs like InDesign if possible.
DO provide the printer with a hard copy laser printout of your project, as well as all of your layout files, graphics and fonts. Inkjet printers are fine for initial proofing and printing, but always get a final printout (and proof it) from a PostScript laser printer.
DON'T assume that what you have printed out and submitted as hard copy or see on your monitor is what you will get. Take a letter by letter, word by word look at proofs supplied by the printer. Never assume that your printer will catch your mistakes, errors and omissions.
DO follow your printer's advice and suggestions. That will always save you money in the long run.
DON'T assume that you know more than the printer.
Presented By
MI Printing
Phone: 623.582.1302
Email: sales@printinginaz.com
