Have a weird problem of missing f's

We have the ability to go in and tweak colors post PDF in our imposition software but it's usually on a $40 job. In those cases it's not worth our time to go in and spend an hour to fix it.

That's when the customer usually says "run it in one color" which we happily do.

We are direct to plate with no film output.

I'm an old retired pre-press operator.
The main problem is the you are not downloading the fonts for PORTABILITY. switch to download fonts for PORTABILITY and the problem should fix.
While I detest Publisher, this is not a Publisher problem but a default setting in the Export to PDF settings problem. Has happened in just about every program out there.
I used to give 'Print Ready' settings to all my customers
BTW, the 2 color problem is easliy solved if you have a Scitex Brisque in house, probably other systems now as I was doing this in the late 90's very early 00's.

It's all about how the file is being printed. If it's being run on a digital machine as it sits, then a PDF will USUALLY work. Unless a font conflict arises. Or a transparency issue comes out from the PDF. Usually publisher files are short run digital prints.

Try to use the file on a two color offset press, it's not going to happen without basically rebuilding the file in Quark Xpress or InDesign. Color separations simply can't happen from publisher files. Offset presses are meant to run thousands of prints, much better priced than digital prints.

I could see a printer getting a ton of business from "we love publisher files" LOL

I'd send him all of ours in a heartbeat. We usually only get pub files from very small businesses or individuals who are doing invitations, etc. Our core customer is 95% large businesses/companies.

93Cobra2771 wrote:

Stefonius wrote:
As a professional typesetter, I'd say that your first problem is that you're working in MS Publisher. :)

I'm sorry - I know that's not at all helpful, but I couldn't resist. I cringe when customers bring me "print ready" files in Publisher or Word.

I'll add to that and say MS products in general - from a Graphic Designer's point of view, of course. :-)

We won't even accept PDF files made in Publisher if that tells you anything. They are a nightmare to deal with.

Publisher works great (most of the time) if you print it with your home printer. Send it to a commercial printer and watch the snarling and hand wringing begin... LOL

I use to know a commercial printed who advertised "We Love Publisher Files) and got business from all around the state. He made so much money had to install a pipe direct to the bank from his office. Guess what is one person poison is the next person opportunity. Had to say this.
Back to my problem I get the file from a large 900 person firm (she works there) and her graphic department don't have problems. The hunt goes on and I might solve it by letting someone volunteer.

Stefonius wrote:
As a professional typesetter, I'd say that your first problem is that you're working in MS Publisher. :)

I'm sorry - I know that's not at all helpful, but I couldn't resist. I cringe when customers bring me "print ready" files in Publisher or Word.

I'll add to that and say MS products in general - from a Graphic Designer's point of view, of course. :-)

We won't even accept PDF files made in Publisher if that tells you anything. They are a nightmare to deal with.

Publisher works great (most of the time) if you print it with your home printer. Send it to a commercial printer and watch the snarling and hand wringing begin... LOL

Here are some considerations from MS:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/publisher-help/embed-fonts-in-a-publication-to-ensure-their-availability-HA101818812.aspx


http://support.microsoft.com/kb/198258

As a professional typesetter, I'd say that your first problem is that you're working in MS Publisher. :)

I'm sorry - I know that's not at all helpful, but I couldn't resist. I cringe when customers bring me "print ready" files in Publisher or Word.

Here are a couple of things to check:

1. This is really meant for professional print work(RIP), and a little outdated, but will give you a brief idea of font printing compatibility issues. Click the image for larger copy.

2. Try exporting your MS Publisher document using the "PDF/A-1b" option. This will ensure that fonts are embedded in the document itself, but still does not guarantee it will print 100% accurately. However, may provide a higher level of compatibility. This will increase the size of your PDF.

3. Use the "Print PDF as an image" option. See Adobe's Quick fix | Print PDF as image. This should solve any font issues with printers, but will also result in the largest PDF file size. The quality of the PDF will depend on what dpi setting is selected.

There are free PDF Readers available that include OCR to make image documents searchable. Personally, I use the FREE version of PDF-XChange Viewer.

If printing is an important consideration, as opposed to just screen viewing, then creating your PDF as an image may be your best option. However, you need to watch file sizes as it can become too large for email attachments. In that case, link to the PDF instead.

What happens if you print from your computer to her printer?

Non-postscript printer drivers can be an issue. This discussion indicates same printer was used but from different computers ... one computer had problem while the other did not printing to the same printer.
http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/missing-letters-printing-pdf-created-using-save-pdf-t3830894.html

Maybe the printer-resident fonts are the issue
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/331653

1492 wrote:
Wouldn't happen at all if it was a graphic file to start with.

Yeah- but you have to OCR a graphics file in order to make it searchable, or easily editable, for that matter.