Publisher Questions

[CDC_Catia]

I am new at all this design stuff for publication, I have managed to do some great covers but always feel a little stupid when it comes to the questions/information I need to get from the person printing.

Maybe someone can give me some intelligent questions to ask before I send them the pic
So far I just ask them

What format do you need it in? (Jpeg, Tiff, PDF)
What Resolution (DPI) do you need?
What size is the image? (A4, A5)
What colour format? (CMYK, RGB)

I don't understand bleed at all.

Are there any other questions I should be asking before I design the ad.
Thanks for all the help

[budafist]

The best thing is to ask them.

Things to consider:
What program are you working in?
Your sizing will depend on the size of the ad your client has paid for of course!

As for bleed, see here (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=330526&postcount=8).

You're on the internet. It's really not that hard to look up for yourself on what bleed is...

[CDC_Catia]

Yes i'm on the internet and I have no time to read, that is why I post and get nice quick answers. Thanks for the info

[CDC_Catia]

I am using CS2

[PrintDriver]

What format do you need it in? (Jpeg, Tiff, PDF)
What Resolution (DPI) do you need?
What size is the image? (A4, A5)
What colour format? (CMYK, RGB)

Format - jpg??? not usually for print.
pdf- you might ask for the profile and settings the printer wants.

Resolution - you might ask the LPI too. And depending on what the ad is printed on you'll maybe want advice on dot gain

Size - Find out the bleed and the safety.

Better yet, ask the printer if they have an on-line or emailable spec sheet - AND FOLLOW IT!

You might want to read www.prepressure.com start to finish.

If you want to succeed in this industry you have a lot of reading to do to catch up. While the GDF is here to answer questions, it isn't the EASY button. There is a certain assumption as far as the very basics are concerned (ie the concept of bleed). While patience in explaining print requirements exists in abundance, that patience is quickly exasperated if the person requesting the information does not show the desire to at least take the time to learn the basics of the industry they are trying to make a living in.

[rickself]

Welcome to the forum!

If the prepress person you're talking to makes you feel stupid, find another printer. If your doctor or car mechanic makes you feel stupid, you'd find another, right? Well, this is the way you make money. You shouldn't feel like you have to defend your lack of knowledge. We were all there at one point and the only way we found out was asking questions. Nobody twanked me over the head with a magic wand and said "Go to Prepess and run the shop." And oh ya, I had to read a lot to get where I am today. Like PD said, you have to make the time to learn. I had to learn all the mistakes designers make to get the job to print. Oh, I wish more would ask questions and not assume so much!

What are you so busy doing that you don't have time to learn?? If you were in a bunker in Baghdad, well, I'd give you that one.

Too many people today think that everybody else is going to do their grunt work for them and therefore have somebody to blame when things aren't correct. Keep asking questions. And READ.