I'm new to this graphic design stuff so I would like to know what would be the best way to email a file created in illustrator? Should I just pdf it?
Thanks in advance
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Best way to email illustrator file?
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if you're just sending it for proofing purposes, a PDF of JPG should suffice so the average user can open and view the file.
now, if you're sending the file for printing, you'll want to send the actual AI or EPS file (check with your printer to see what they need), or, if they don't have Illsutrator, you could probably send a PDF. again, ask what file format they can use.
welcome to this graphic design stuff.
now, if you're sending the file for printing, you'll want to send the actual AI or EPS file (check with your printer to see what they need), or, if they don't have Illsutrator, you could probably send a PDF. again, ask what file format they can use.
welcome to this graphic design stuff.
They will be using it to pass on and show to their colleagues.
if you're just sending it for proofing purposes, a PDF of JPG should suffice so the average user can open and view the file.
now, if you're sending the file for printing, you'll want to send the actual AI or EPS file (check with your printer to see what they need), or, if they don't have Illsutrator, you could probably send a PDF. again, ask what file format they can use.
welcome to this graphic design stuff.
Thank you for your help!
Always send the original file in its native format PLUS a PDF.
I have a stock email which I send to all my clients requesting Pantone referenced artwork in Vector format as time and time again I receive low-res Jpegs or RGB PDFs for litho print.
I then enter in a game of electronic ping-pong trying to explain the required format to some Secretary/PA/No brain Marketing Guy.
If you get into the habit of sending both files with a disclaimer that the PDF is a visual and the EPS is a print file that would help us Studio guys further down the line.
I have a stock email which I send to all my clients requesting Pantone referenced artwork in Vector format as time and time again I receive low-res Jpegs or RGB PDFs for litho print.
I then enter in a game of electronic ping-pong trying to explain the required format to some Secretary/PA/No brain Marketing Guy.
If you get into the habit of sending both files with a disclaimer that the PDF is a visual and the EPS is a print file that would help us Studio guys further down the line.
not for proofing by a client. who wants to field questions from clients asking "why can't i open this other file you sent?"...it's an added headache, IMO.
the OP's question was which format to send files in for proofing purposes by a client, not for sending to a printer. most folks in the design world that i live in send a JPG of PDF for proofing, then send the final native file via FTP for printing.
good lord, i'd hope someone who's doing graphic design would know not to send a JPG for final output...
i'm no trying to be snarky here...sorry if it comes off that way. i'm way too ready for the weekend.
good lord, i'd hope someone who's doing graphic design would know not to send a JPG for final output...
You would be surprised by the amount of low-res jpegs I receive that the supplier believes is print ready.
My speciality is currency design, so my experience of the 'design world' really is a global one.
Most of my clients are agents of agents of agents for governments. Due not only to inter-departmental politics but also language barriers it is almost impossible to back-track to the original supplier to get the original file, so I have no choice but to re-draw.
I don't mind Jpegs as my disclaimer also states that if the artwork is not in vector format I will charge a minimum of X amount for re-drawing
You would be surprised by the amount of low-res jpegs I receive that the supplier believes is print ready.
My speciality is currency design, so my experience of the 'design world' really is a global one.
Most of my clients are agents of agents of agents for governments. Due not only to inter-departmental politics but also language barriers it is almost impossible to back-track to the original supplier to get the original file, so I have no choice but to re-draw.
I don't mind Jpegs as my disclaimer also states that if the artwork is not in vector format I will charge a minimum of X amount for re-drawing
Yeah, I gotta say - I think you'd be surprised at just how little most designers know about printing. That's why most printers have prepress departments whose sole job is to get files print-ready (trapping, fixing colors, bleeds, etc).
Not in my experience. There are people calling themselves designers, I've met a few, but really they're Photoshop or Illustrator jockeys...
We won't take anyone on unless they can get a press-ready file together. As well as project and client management, knowing your repro across different media is one of the factors that marks you as a professional. I do all my own object-level trapping, especially on two-colour work before I put my PDFs together, and check the seps like I'm paying for the job myself.
I think xfiftyfour and Blue Velvet might have their wires a tad crossed.
From what I'm reading you guys are in agreement with each other.
Blue Velvet:
"I think you'd be surprised at just how little most designers know about printing"
xfiftyfour:
"There are people calling themselves designers, I've met a few, but really they're Photoshop or Illustrator jockeys"
You guys obviously have dealings with design/repro/pre-press/print so your experiences mirror each others.
I recently completed a 2 year HND in Art & Graphic Design as I like to test myself and I also wanted to see if I could still 'cut the mustard'. I pressumed that there would be a lack of print knowledge on the students part, but not on the tutors too!
It soon became apparent that some of the students had a great eye and a real talent, but didn't understand basic colour theory. I took it on myself to pass on my print knowledge whenever I could and was approached by the Principal to set up specific classes. Friday became 'Big Daddy's Day'. These classes had good attendance and I paid for the beers at lunch (I wonder if this had anything to do with the attendance?).
Why 'Big Daddy's Day'? Well, I'm 25 years older than the oldest student in the class. My help certainly paid off for the students and the Principle - the highest achieving group ever, with an average pass rate of merit/distinction level.
I served a five year apprentice as a lithographic platemaker and printer. I have operated most presses from a Letterpress Platen to a seven tower Miyakoshi. I've had a mac since 1986 and have used every single Mac design application there is. So trust me, the original file is most welcome by me. But if it isn't incuded with the brief, someone is going to pay my hourly rate for redrawing it - and that's enough for a long weekend break in Magaluff!
Best point raised in this thread? Blue Velvet's comment, produce separations of your work and check them - don't glance at them or assume they are correct.
Good forum - interesting opinions - keep it up.
From what I'm reading you guys are in agreement with each other.
Blue Velvet:
"I think you'd be surprised at just how little most designers know about printing"
xfiftyfour:
"There are people calling themselves designers, I've met a few, but really they're Photoshop or Illustrator jockeys"
You guys obviously have dealings with design/repro/pre-press/print so your experiences mirror each others.
I recently completed a 2 year HND in Art & Graphic Design as I like to test myself and I also wanted to see if I could still 'cut the mustard'. I pressumed that there would be a lack of print knowledge on the students part, but not on the tutors too!
It soon became apparent that some of the students had a great eye and a real talent, but didn't understand basic colour theory. I took it on myself to pass on my print knowledge whenever I could and was approached by the Principal to set up specific classes. Friday became 'Big Daddy's Day'. These classes had good attendance and I paid for the beers at lunch (I wonder if this had anything to do with the attendance?).
Why 'Big Daddy's Day'? Well, I'm 25 years older than the oldest student in the class. My help certainly paid off for the students and the Principle - the highest achieving group ever, with an average pass rate of merit/distinction level.
I served a five year apprentice as a lithographic platemaker and printer. I have operated most presses from a Letterpress Platen to a seven tower Miyakoshi. I've had a mac since 1986 and have used every single Mac design application there is. So trust me, the original file is most welcome by me. But if it isn't incuded with the brief, someone is going to pay my hourly rate for redrawing it - and that's enough for a long weekend break in Magaluff!
Best point raised in this thread? Blue Velvet's comment, produce separations of your work and check them - don't glance at them or assume they are correct.
Good forum - interesting opinions - keep it up.
Similar help needed!
I want to put a PDF portfolio together of a few pages of AI artwork. I want the quality of a vector / AI, but I need to email it so must be under a 1MB. Any ideas? I have tried exporting as different file types like EPS, PDF and JPEGs but nothing seems good enough and small enough. Annoyingly I managed to do it with another set of files, perfectly, but can't remember what I did!
Pls pls pls help!!!
PS I have been working as a children's wear designer for years now, and have never been asked to know anything more about the print process other than the basic different types for fashion. So I guess it's not really necessary unless you are a print graphic designer? Never been random enough to send a jpeg for anything other than a first proof to buyers though, so I don't think it can be the designers, just their receptionists maybe?!
I want to put a PDF portfolio together of a few pages of AI artwork. I want the quality of a vector / AI, but I need to email it so must be under a 1MB. Any ideas? I have tried exporting as different file types like EPS, PDF and JPEGs but nothing seems good enough and small enough. Annoyingly I managed to do it with another set of files, perfectly, but can't remember what I did!
Pls pls pls help!!!
PS I have been working as a children's wear designer for years now, and have never been asked to know anything more about the print process other than the basic different types for fashion. So I guess it's not really necessary unless you are a print graphic designer? Never been random enough to send a jpeg for anything other than a first proof to buyers though, so I don't think it can be the designers, just their receptionists maybe?!
Timely bump!
I would export to PDF, and if it's all vector, you should be able to use the save as option and use the [smallest file size] under Adobe PDF Preset. Should be fine if they are all vector. The minute you throw in a raster image though, that changes.
Why not just upload it somewhere and send the person to a link?
I would export to PDF, and if it's all vector, you should be able to use the save as option and use the [smallest file size] under Adobe PDF Preset. Should be fine if they are all vector. The minute you throw in a raster image though, that changes.
Why not just upload it somewhere and send the person to a link?
Thank you, thought that was probably the only way, just wondered if there was a trick-nique!
Good point about the upload...
Good point about the upload...
I think limiting yourself to a 1mb file size is a mistake. There are many ways to transfer files on the internet and you really should be using something other than email. Most professional graphic services/printers, have a dedicated FTP server for this purpose.
There are also free or paid services such as yousendit that also serve this function.
http://www.yousendit.com/
There are also free or paid services such as yousendit that also serve this function.
http://www.yousendit.com/