FTP nightmare

[twogun]

just thought i would post this up and get some feedback here as to whether i have a justified arguement......

one of the regular magazines i put together has just gone to a new printer arranged by the publisher, web offset as the run and page count has just doubled. i was sent a couple of files via email from the printer and was asked to do the following.

1. print the indesign file to a postscript print file using thier RIP settings.
2. run the file through distiller
3. log onto thier headstart FTP site and upload the file.

all pretty simple so far, until i get on average 134 error message on every page!!!

i am then told to my amazement that it is my problem to sort out and my repsonsibility to sign off each page electronicly viewing only a low res pdf on screen!!! from this they then plate up and run the job, right or wrong.....unbelievable.

i am used to visitng my regualr printer, having a coffee whilst the studio guys open/check and proof my job, i then walk away confident that the job is good to go cos the prepress expert told me so!

i am sure it will be but i now have 10 days hoping that this 75k run of a 48pager turns out ok!

am i being a little over sensitive here or is this the way we are going, anyone else using such outsource FTP systems for large projects?

(sorry to bang this one on everyone so early on a friday!!)

[twogun]

was this posted too early for most of you or is no-one interested?

(rolling his eyes around to the back of his head, should've started a thread about some actor or bug, at least that way you get a response around here, and there was me thinking i could share and interact with likeminded professional regarding commercial issues associated with our trade..................but did i tell you i know someone who knows someone, who knows someone, who was an extra in the Da'vinci code!!)

[Kool]

was this posted too early for most of you or is no-one interested?

No one's interested. ;)

I read it this morning but I honestly couldn't think of a reply except sorry to hear it.

[twogun]

thanks cool, cant believe that no-one has an opinion on here about this, i think it a major issue for me to carry this commercial responsibilty, are pre-press guys like you going to be thin on the ground soon???? if so a bet print standards will drop!!!

[balou]

I don't have large, multiple page jobs like yours twogun but I often use online printers. They also send a pdf to sign off on. I haven't had any problems...yet! The only problem I had was a full page color magazine ad I sent off had some strange color variations from the original file. It was determined to be a problem on the press though, not with the file.

I can see your worries though. Having to put your files totally into someone elses hands like that. Is understandable. Hope all works out.

[twogun]

thanks balou, just a little bit worried at the implications of this, a re-print could cost around 8-10k (12-16k $) and really feel in a weird position in between the publisher who has put trust in me to complete the project and the printer who is washing his hands of responsibility......sure it will be ok.

was quite suprised on the lack of take up though, thought this would spark a little interest espcially from the pre-press guys on here who's positions are surely comprimised by this workflow system.