Expert: Amy - 9/23/2005

Question
Illustrator 11, Mac (G5)

We have PDF files (rather low resolution) of manuals.  We do not have the Quark docs anymore.  Can we bring the PDF into Illustrator, make the changes and covert it into a printable (at a printer) document.  We want to print the manuals in books at a professional printer and we would prefer not to redo the whole lay out into Quark in order to print at a professional printer.  Is this possible?
The manuals are black and white inside.  The cover has an extra color (red).

Thanks a lot for your help!
Cecilia  

Answer
Hi Cecilia.

Yes, definitely. But it might be a lot of work.

Illustrator (even 11) still isn't designed for multiple page jobs.

I believe you will have to open your PDF files page by page in Illustrator, make your changes, and save the pages as individual PDF files or EPS files, depending on what your printer will accept. The spot color on the cover won't be a problem, as long as you know how to set up documents with spot colors in Illustrator (easy but not intuitive).

If the images in your PDF files are low-res, and you have the original photos, you might want to re-place those files - you can't do anything about the image quality in Illustrator. I don't know about the subject matter of your manuals but maybe you can eliminate some pics or re-create them.

A better solution

If you own a copy of the full version of Acrobat (not Acrobat Reader), you might even be able to make the necessary changes right inside Acrobat and keep the file as one multiple page PDF file.

Digital printing services can print from PDF files and some offset printing shops will, too.

If the Acrobat solution would work for you, call your printer and ask if they'll accept a PDF file.

If it's worth it, you might even want to buy a copy of the full version of Acrobat so you can get it done faster?

Well, I've been in your shoes and I wish you good luck.
-Amy Pace