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1 Page 1 of 6 Tips and Tricks >Creating PostScript and PDF files in layout packages >Creating a PostScript file in Adobe Illustrator Creating a PostScript file in Adobe Illustrator The Adobe Illustrator work area: artboard vs. page size If you want to create a PostScript or PDF file yourself in Adobe Illustrator, you must remember to distinguish between the artboard and the actual page size: The artboard (A) is the surface on which you draw your design. The artboard is shown by a full line in Adobe Illustrator. If you save your design in Adobe Illustrator as a PDF file (C), the artboard will be used as the page size. See also save the design in Adobe Illustrator as a PDF file. The page size (B) (and also the positioning of the page) determines how the design will be printed. The page size and position is shown by a broken line within the artboard in Adobe Illustrator If you print your design to a PostScript file in Adobe Illustrator, the page size in the Print Setup dialog box will be used (D). See also Printing to a PostScript file in Adobe Illustrator. In order to prevent confusion (and unintended results in your ultimate PDF file), you are advised to make the artboard the same size as your page size. This is done as follows in Adobe Illustrator: 1 Select File > Document Setup. 2 Select the Use Print Setup in the Artboard category.

2 Page 2 of 6 The artboard size automatically matches the page size. 3 If necessary, click the Print Setup button and select a different page size. The artboard size automatically changes too. 4 Select the Page Tool in the Tools Palette and ensure that the page size and position coincide with the artboard. 5 Position your design on the artboard as you wish to see it later in the PDF file, and in the printed version. Many ways to skin a cat Adobe Illustrator has several methods to create a PostScript file: Import an EPS file in a layout program save the design in Adobe Illustrator as a PDF file Printing to a PostScript file in Adobe Illustrator

3 Page 3 of 6 Import an EPS file in a layout program The easiest (and safest) method to create a PostScript file of your design or illustration in Adobe Illustrator is as follows: 1 In Adobe Illustrator, select save your design or illustration as an Illustrator EPS file (Encapsulated PostScript). 2 Import the EPS file in a layout program, for instance QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign or Adobe PageMaker. 3 Create the PostScript file in this layout program. See: Creating a PostScript file in QuarkXPress Creating a PostScript file in Adobe InDesign Creating a PostScript file in Adobe PageMaker. save the design in Adobe Illustrator as a PDF file Your design can be saved directly as a PDF file in Adobe Illustrator. If you do, you should also check the size of your PDF file. This may be considerably larger than if you printed your design first to a PostScript file and then created a PDF file via Acrobat Distiller (see Printing to a PostScript file in Adobe Illustrator). Follow the instructions below in order to save your design in Adobe Illustrator as a PDF file: 1 Check the size and positioning of the artboard (File > Document Setup) and the page size (File > Print Setup) and change them if necessary. See The Adobe Illustrator work area: artboard vs. page size. 2 Select File > Save as and save your design as a PDF file.

4 Page 4 of 6 3 Select Embed All Fonts in the dialog box Adobe PDF Format Options.

5 Page 5 of 6 4 Check the other options, for instance Compression. You are advised to select compression and clear downsampling. 5 Click OK. Printing to a PostScript file in Adobe Illustrator Follow the instructions below in order to print your design to a PostScript file in Adobe Illustrator: 1 Check the size and positioning of the artboard (File > Document Setup) and the page size (File > Print Setup) and change them if necessary. See The Adobe Illustrator work area: artboard vs. page size. 2 Select File > Print Setup and select the printer driver you wish to use for printing to the PostScript file, for instance Acrobat Distiller. 3 Click OK. 4 Select File > Print and select the options shown below.

6 Page 6 of 6 5 Click the Save button Enfocus Software. All rights reserved.