PDF 2-up stepping

[BJMRGTIVR6]

OK.
I need to take a 50+ page document (8.5 x 11) and create a PDF where each page is '2-upped' (a/a; b/b; c/c) onto 11 x 17.

So, page one is twice on a Tabloid sheet, Page 2 is twice on Tabloid sheet, etc.

Currently it is in Quark set up as facing pages. I initially saved out each to EPS then distilled them to make a PDF of each page (using distiller to make smaller PDFs).

However, our IGEN uses a PDF distiller setting and I will need to somehow merge pages...anyone know how I can do this with a PDF already made? doubling it up?


Thanks in advance...I will need to send this in a few hours (tuesday 3pm / 15:00 EST) but any replies afterward will be good for knowledge.

[Mynock]

ugh, that makes my head spin.

[Broacher]

Quick way? Quite Imposing Pro (www.quite.com), a great Acrobat plugin. Quite good. (Quite expensive?) Quite fast: less than two minutes to do this.

Slow? Impose manually using PDFs in layout. In ID (don't know about Quark) since you can select the individual PDF page, you can use the single PDF file, double it on a two up page, and copy/paste the first page down in all of them, then go back and edit each placed instance to the right page number. You can also save this ID file as a template for the next time if you keep the linked file NAME the same.

Single file method (whether going to single page PDFs or EPSs)? You can select all the files in placement order and ID will 'load up' the placement icon to fill out your layout as you turn page spreads.

[BJMRGTIVR6]

Awesome!

thanks, however, on a good note...

my boss just said it will be too much work and that it will either eat up time/money in creative or it will cost money on the per-click IGEN end.

I am going to just set up the files as 8.5 x 11 and have them print to Letter rather than Tabloid.


THanks again!!

[Rizz]

I thought you could tell the IGEN to print 2up on Tabloid...

Of course, I've never used an IGEN. Just a Docucolor.

-Rizz

[Broacher]

Sometimes (and I'm not saying this is one of them for you), I just go-ahead and set up stuff like this ONCE, and use it over and over. Yeah, it's a lot of work initially, but if you weigh it properly it may pay off long-term. The secret in re-using the setup is using the linked structure and remaining consistent with the link names. For instance, say I have a 50 page pdf that I want to place into a 50 page ID doc. First thing I'd do is save a copy called "Page.pdf". That way, when I export to individual EPS files out of Acrobat, they come out as page_1.eps, page_2.eps.... and so on. Then, the next time I need this imposition, I just save the new doc as 'Page.pdf' and export to the same linked EPS file folder and say yes to overwrites. Open the ID template doc-- you're ready to go.

[emucru]

I'm not sure about Quark because its been so long, but in ID you can just export to PDF using pages 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4 etc.

Then use a multipage PDF placing script in ID on 8.5"x11" facing pages document. Simple and quick.

I'm not sure if it will work the same in Quark printing and distilling.

[Broacher]

^ Nice one! I haven't updated my ID script collection in a while (version CS I think). Where's the best spot these days to poke around for those?

[emucru]

Most of mine I have collected from Adobe Xchange but that was a while ago before they did their makeover.

[budafist]

Another thing to think about is the gutter between the 2 lays. You might not need it if your pages do not bleed, but if they do, I always set a 5mm gutter for bleed.

We looked at buying Quite Imposing, but for the price, it didn't do everything we wanted it to do so we still impose stuff manually here. Funny aye?

[Mynock]

I don't know, but millimeters, those are funny.

[budafist]

Oi! Stop laughing at my millimetres!

[Mynock]

>> millimetres << Are those the Spanish version?

[budafist]

Nope, just the un-American version ;)

[seosamh]

I don't know, but millimeters, those are funny.
inches are brain damage, can't understand how anyone can work in them.

but anyhow back to the point, does the igen you're sending to not have any imposition software? i could do this in 2 seconds in work from a single pages pdf on our fiery queue imposition before releasing to the igen.

dunno about the cost per click tho i'd need to ask, i always assumed that was just per sheet(simplex 1 click, duplex, 2 clicks).

[FlipSide]

http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange/index.cfm?event=productHome&exc=19&loc=en_us