Preparing publisher file for printing book

[Stella]

I need to print a book of 120pages. It will be handsewn and bookbound in the
traditional way. While layouting I wish to layout the pages from page 1 to
page 120. The problem is the file needs to be converted to fit on a
signiture. In other words the arrangement of pages needs to be changed for
printing.

Has publisher 2003 or 2007 any software solution the problem?

 

[pdan]

I need to print a book of 120pages. It will be handsewn and bookbound in
the
traditional way. While layouting I wish to layout the pages from page 1 to
page 120. The problem is the file needs to be converted to fit on a
signiture. In other words the arrangement of pages needs to be changed for
printing.

Has publisher 2003 or 2007 any software solution the problem?

A signature is a folded sheet of paper with multiples pages which end up in
order after folding for book assembly.
"to fit on a signiture" as you put it is to Impose. Your printer will impose
your book; only they know how far the pages will "creep" when folded.
This assumes you are sending the printing to a commercial printer. If you
are printing single pages/sheets on your SOHO printer, the signature idea is
a mute point.

 

[Elmo P. Shagnasty]

If you
are printing single pages/sheets on your SOHO printer, the signature idea is
a mute point.

there is no such thing as a "mute" point.

It would be a moot point, to be sure.

Also it's "for all intents and purposes"--not "for all intensive
purposes".

Just heading that one off at the pass.

 

[Mike Koewler]

Elmo,

Also it's "for all intents and purposes"--not "for all intensive
purposes".

I dunno - I sorta like intensive purposes. Almost as much as a bathroom
on the right.

Okay, back to the OP's topic. A signature is generally how many pages a
printer can produce at the same time. Usually, they are about 32, but
some printers may do 16 or 64.

But this is not important, unless your printer has requested that you
supply 16, 24, 32 or whatever-page signatures. Some may be able to
handle your 120 page pdf document and put everything on the correct page
to print. Another printer may ask for single page pdf files. (I had a
printer ask for single page .ps files - I think he wanted to import them
into Quark but who knows!).

The bottom line is, ask your printer exactly what he wants and how he
wants them. Don't be like the fool who "assumed" he could send his 64
page book to the printer by faxing it.

Mike

 

[Matt Beals]

A imposition is the overall layout of pages of a job as it will be printed.
An imposition is made up of signatures. Those are the individual sheets of
paper that are printed on. Each signature generally contain 8 (4 pages on
each side of the sheet), 16 page (more common) or 32 (if the press size is
big enough) pages. You can have 4 page signatures which would basically be
printer spreads. You can mix and match signatures in a imposition depending
on manufacturing needs. When producing magazines on a web press you may have
a four page signature that is the covers running on a heavy gloss stock, 70#
gloss lets say. Where as the body may be running on a 45# book using 32
pages signatures (two 16page signatures). They all end up folded and ready
for bindery at the back end of the press.

See how it gets a bit complicated? Don't do your printer any favors by
sending them an imposed file. There are job specific parameters that need to
be accounted for. There are also specific requirements for a specific press
that need to be taken into consideration. At the last minute it is not
uncommon for a printer to switch presses because of other production needs.

As for why a printer would ask for single page PostScript it is because if
you have a change to one page the printer can replace the one page. If you
were to supply a new multi-page document then the printer might have a lot
of fixes to re-apply. Where as replacing one new page is relatively simple.
It all depends on the printer and their specific workflow "habits". All of
the modern systems (even the older ones) will take a multi-page PostScript
or PDF.

Like Mike and I have said before, just ask your printer before you do
anything.

Matt Beals
Consultant
Enfocus Certified Trainer
Markzware Recognized Trainer
(206) 201-2320 - Main
(720) 367-3869 - eFax
mailto:[email protected]

Come visit me at:

http://www.automatetheworkflow.com
http://www.mattbeals.com
http://blog.mattbeals.com

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