Expert: Ken Black - 4/24/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have a file that I have designed in InDesign CS {on mac osx tiger} with in consective page layout front and back then, 1,2,3. set up with spreads. Is there a simple, possibly automated, way to prepare the spread in the correct order. The only way i know to do it now is make mini version and try to lay those pages out on the floor and drag the pages and around and still ususaly mess that up.

ANSWER: Hi Leigh,

Are you saying that you have set up single pages within Indesign and have 2 physical pages set up on each in spreads (see attached image left), or that each page is a single page and in spreads within the pages palette (see attached image right)?

Ken Black

www.bestprintingonline.com

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QUESTION: i am just attaching a picture. I am a visual person and it i have trouble makeing since in words. I majored in graphic design and an almost embarrsed this what what I have to do but i don't think I had a very good professor for production class. I really appreciate your help and will most likely use bestprinting online.com for tihs and future project because you are willing to help. do you also help with this sort of thing on you website? Like review files before printing?

ANSWER: Hi Leigh,

It looks like all you will need to do is drag the page that is to be your back cover to the end of your page list. If you drag it and hover at the right edge of the last page, you should see a line with 2 arrows, that will place it at the end and should leave your front cover as page 1. It looks as though you are almost there.

Our website does have a lot of very useful production information in the help section, this is an ever evolving and growing site so check back now and then as content is updated on an ongoing basis.

We always offer further assistance via email as well as over the phone and all files that we print go through a thorough preflight process before production is done. That way any problems, even the one you are experiencing now, is corrected and the files approved before printing.

Give me a call toll free at 1-888-747-2695 extension 340 or send me an email - kenb@bestprintingonline.com

and I can help you if you need further assistance.

Thanks,

Ken Black

www.bestprintingonline.com

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QUESTION: okay i think i have a good way to explain this. I need to know how to "collate" the signitures to prepare them to be printing. do i have to do do this or will you company do that for me before it is printed and bound.

Answer
Hi Leigh,

I apologize for not completely understanding your initial question, I thought you were having a slightly different, albeit similar problem.

What you are referring to is imposing the print signatures into "printer spreads".

The way your document is set up is in what we call "reader spreads" or consecutive page order, which is the way in which we (and most other printers) prefer to receive your file.

We create the imposition according to the actual sheet size running on press + the overall dimensions and requirements of the job.

It is easiest for us to do so when documents are set up as yours is, that is "single pages in reader spreads". Not that other set ups won't work, as always it is best to consult your printer when in doubt.

On the surface, it looks like your set up is ready to go as you have it.

When you are ready, package your fonts, images, and document in an archive (zip or stuffit). Create an account on www.bestprintingonline.com and follow the instructions to place an order and upload the files. I will then look at them comprehensively and alert you to any problems as well as how to fix them.

Thanks,

Ken Black

www.bestprintingonline.com