The program has a great feature that collects your document, all needed fonts and linked graphics for print. Using it saves time, and gives you the best results when handing off the files to our graphics department. Here’s the rundown:

In PageMaker, there is a plug-in under Utilities named Save for Service Provider. Using the Save for Service Provider plug-in, the user can copy the publication, all linked image files, fonts, and other files required to print the document. Save for Service Provider also helps resolve broken links by prompting the user to locate the folders containing linked files. Similarly, this plug-in can also check the status of links and fonts in a PostScript file generated by PageMaker 6.5.

Optionally, a concise report of the information we need to print from a PageMaker or PostScript file can also be created. The report includes details about fonts, linked graphics, a summary of the print settings, as well as information about who to contact regarding the publication.

To save files and generate a report using Save for Service Provider:

Choose Utilities > Plug-ins > Save for Service Provider. The Summary dialog box opens. The plug-in works on the active publication if the Check Pub is clicked.

Click Fonts, Links, Printing, or Colors to see a detailed report on that aspect of the publication or PostScript file. Print the status information by clicking Print at any time.

If the Links dialog box shows one or more linked files needing attention, click Relink or
Relink All, and navigate to the correct image files.
To save the publication, click Package, and set options as follows:

From the Report Type pop-up menu, choose Formatted (for a PageMaker publication) or Text only (for an ASCII text-only file).

Select Auto Open Package Report if, after saving the publication and associated files, the user wants to display the summary report in a new window on your desktop.

Select Update Links to bring out-of-date links up-to-date in the original publication before making a package.

For Include, select Copy Fonts to avoid missing fonts at print time, and then select the kind of fonts—All, Type 1 (PostScript), or TrueType.

Click Notes to enter contact information, such as the user’s name and phone number, any comments on printing the publication, and then click OK.

Before you finish, use your normal process to create a PDF version of your Pagemaker document, and include that with the files your send.

Specify a location in which to save all necessary files. Put all of the files in a single folder. Then compress that folder, into a single archive file. In Windows, you can do that by right clicking the folder and selecting “send to..compressed folder.” There’s a similar function on the Macintosh by usiing the control key, while you click on the folder. This will bring up a menu from which you can select compress.

Send your compressed folder as a file attachment, or preferably use the send files feature on our website. That’s it!

NEWSFLASH:
We’re officially in recession. Isn’t that a shocking revelation? Unless a bailout is coming your way, maybe now’s a good time to save some green on your company’s publishing software needs. People often ask me “what’s the best software choice for my newsletter?” (or brochure, business card, mailer, etc.) Of course, no single software package fits everyone’s needs. This is my list of top picks for professional grade tools, available on the cheap.

Word Processor

Go-Go Clinton/Bush years: Microsoft Office: $420

Obama’s change: Open Office: FREE at http://openoffice.org.

It’s hard to believe that more people aren’t using this amazing, fully functional office suite, which is available for a free download. Once a bit rough around the edges, the last few years of open source development have added a lot of polish to the program. It includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database, powerpoint alternative, and even a draw program.

Page Layout

Real Estate Boom: Adobe InDesign CS4: $694

The Bubble Bursts: Scribus: FREE at http://www.scribus.net

Sure, I’d love all your projects to come in from clients using QuarkXpress, or Adobe’s flagship Creative Suite. Then again, Scribus represents a rock solid contender in the page layout category, once you get used to the quirky looking user interface.

Photo Editor

Dow at 11,000: Adobe Photoshop $630

Retire on tomato soup for dinner: GIMP : FREE at http://www.gimp.org

Let’s face it; you probably don’t need more than a few of Photoshop’s tools, commands and functions. All of its most important functions can be found in yet another open source project: GIMP. It’s nothing like the program you may have seen a few years back, while poking around in Linux. There’s even a hack to give it the look and feel you’ve grown to love (or hate) in Photoshop.

Open source software has come a long way in recent years, thanks to the generosity of the programming community. All of these programs are available in Windows and Mac versions, and the resulting output files are fully supported at Copies&Ink.

In upcoming posts: We’ll talk about some of the key features in these programs, and how they might apply to your work. Keep posted!

Where cost is an issue, Baronial style envelopes have a great price point, but they’re usually only available in white or ivory.

Baronial (i.e. pointy-flap) Style Envelopes

4 Bar
5.125 x 3.625

5 Bar
5.625 x 4.125

5 ½ Bar
5.625 x 4.375

6 Bar
6.5 x 4.75

Lee
7.25 x 5.25

A lot of folks prefer the the more up to date square flap style Announcement envelope. Indeed, they’re available in a wider range of colors and finishes:

Announcement Envelope: square flap style

A-2

4.375″ x 5.75″

A-6
4.75″ x 6.5″

A-7
5.25″ x 7.25″

A-8
5.5″ x 8.125

A-9
5.75″ x 8.75″

A-10
6″ x 9.5″

Just two more things to remember:
1. Not every size/color/finish combo is available, so check before you start your design
2. These are the envelope sizes, the enclosures should be designed about 1/4″ smaller in each dimension.

Questions: just give us a call or visit our contact page.

In the market for some custom printed folders or announcements? Check out our current specials!

Kelly’s Extra Handouts

http://idisk.mac.com/kmccathran-Public

Adobe Design Center

Step-by-Step Lessons, Guides and Tutorials for CS2 & CS3 also access to User Forums & Feature Requests
http://adobe.com/designcenter/

Adobe Design Center Video Workshop

Flash Movies on all Creative Suite 3 Products and many new features
http://adobe.com/designcenter/video_workshop

Adobe Print Resource Center

Transparency guides and PDF Print Production Information and a wealth of print related resources
http://adobe.com/go/print

Adobe Events

Find Adobe Certified Trainers and Training Centers in your area, on-demand and live eClasses as well as road show events
http://www.adobe.com/events

Adobe Education

Educational resources for K-12 and higher education, free curriculum and more
http://www.adobe.com/education