Help needed urgent :( InDesign/client problem

[sully1251]

PrintDriver— I started in the business of graphic design 22 years before Adobe Systems was founded. In graghic arts, printing and publication, it was width stated first back then and it should be width stated first now.

However, height first might be a European thing. I used to do ads for a NATO publication that was over size and it's too long ago to remember how the specs were stated.

Picture framers, gallery owners and the ever mysterious world of fine art state height first.

[PrintDriver]

You got 6 years on me then.
Sounds more like the print world is width first and Everyone Else is height first.
I came from a science background. Height was always first.

[garricks]

I always verify if w & h aren't specified. I've been burnt once too often by "EMERGENCY" ad resizing when the size was given as 8 x 5, rather than 8 w x 5 h.

[sully1251]

Another randon observation of the world:
I used to do ads for European A4 publications that were 8.3 x 11.7 (210x207mm). The same ads would be published in U.S. publications. I would make one setup for both (and even several) sizes. The standard 1/8 bleed was used for all. I found it is best use the height and width center lines—no crop marks. In other words, set up the ad for the smallest non bleed area with the largest anticipated trim size plus the 1/8 bleed. Then place centerlines for the width and height. The publication can place the ad easily.

All of this applies to full page ads only.

Always request a left hand page with editorial content on the facing page. The left hand page is the page that fairs best in readership surveys—just because most of us are right handed and the way that most of us hold magazines.

Keep all essential material inside of the smallest non-bleed area and let the trim fall where it may.

Garricks— That's a REAL good idea. I usually spent time on the phone with the production dept. of a publication that was new to me—checking on things like maximum overall density, exact non-bleed dimensions, preferred file type etc.

[PrintDriver]

I got all the way through proofing on a 9'x5' banner, including PDFs to multiple client eyes.
Got it printed and sent onsite and get this screaming phone call that the banner was supposed to be 5x9.
So, not one of 6 sets of eyes noticed in any of the PDFs that the banner was wider than tall?
Never again.
Always check now.

[hank_scorpio]

http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/units/trades.htm#britpap

That might help

[sully1251]

Check out: http://mdmetric.com/tech/cvtcht.htm

That will give you a good reference to double check metric and inches.
On size I entered earlier, I had the inches right (8.3 x 11.7 inches) but I copied the metric wrong. It should be 210 x 297 mm.