Expert: Amy - 3/27/2007

Question
I just drew a map for my daughter's wedding in Illustrator 9.0 and saved it as an eps.  When I import it into Quark the entire map is fuzzy.  When I import it into Word the map is clear.  I've never had this happen before.  We're trying hard to get her wedding invitations out soon and would appreciate your help.
Thanks so much!

Answer
Hi Linda!

I have to ask what you are printing these on?  

If it's an inkjet printer, you are better off exporting the map from Illustrator as a High Resolution (400 dpi maybe) tiff. (File > Export). Unfortunately Quark only uses the preview of the EPS document to render what you see on screen and, very unfortunately, that's what's printed to any inkjet! Thus - FUZZY!

Older versions of Quark can only print vector graphics like Illustrator EPS to postscript printers.

Now if you have version 7 of Quark you can turn on "Full Resolution previews" under the View menu then Right click on the map to toggle between low and full res.

In 6.0-6.5, it's more difficult. Quark only made the High Res preview avaiable as a plug-in that you had to download from Quark.com. But it does work.

It might be a bigger file but the exported tiff will work better and works for every version of Quark!

I hope this helps - any other q's, just write back.

Amy Pace