quark 6.0 v acrobat distiller 6.0

[charles ababa]

I've been pulling my hair out over this for some time now.

Here's the problem....

1. I generate a postscript file (.ps) using quark's new export to pdf function.

2. I turn off all image compression and maintain "original resolution" for all images. Fonts are embedded.

3. I render this .ps with acrobat distiller using a "Press Quality" setting.

4. The resulting pdf is BIGGER in size, than the original .ps file!!!?!?!?

This should not be happening, distiller should be compressing the file smaller than the original postscript....

5. If I use "Smallest File" setting, there are still problems (eg a 17Mb .ps file is rendered at 15.1Mb, not very small at all).

I'm baffled by this, any help much appreciated.

BTW: I tried the acrobat 6.0.1 updater, but all that did was crash my computer.

Running G4 1.4Ghz DP, 1.4Ghz RAM.

 

[sonofslim]

Quark may be printing the PS file at a lower resolution than Distiller is distilling the PDF. that would result in a PDF file that is actually larger than its source PS.

'Press Quality' is a very high-resolution configuration: 2400 DPI by default. if this is for a commercial print job, it may need to be that high. if not, you can save space by selecting a job configuration with a lower resolution, or by customizing an existing job configuration.

if this is for a commercial print job, i've got two bits of advice: first, don't let Quark write your PostScript files. you'll get better results if you print to a virtual printer. you can use Adobe's Distiller PPD for this, or you can go with unsolicited piece of advice #2:

check with your print jobber. see if they can provide you with a custom PPD. they might also provide you with a custom Distiller job configuration. they may even be able to give you specific settings for your Quark print styles.

 

[fincher]

Well said, sonofslim. I work for an Adobe & Quark Service Provider.

Jaws is fine, but Distiller is better and gives you more control. Yes, it may take a step or two more, but the results are more reliable. There are issues with Acrobat 6, mainly it does not allow you to load fonts on the fly, but this is a bug and will be fixed. There are also some issues with the built-in Jaws for Quark 6.

Yep. Find out what your service provider wants in terms on PDF quality. If the place has a customized joboption, then use that. The other workaround is just performing a "Collect for Output" from Quark and submit it and let your provider deal with the rest -- old-fashioned, yes, but time-honored.