Ellie Kennard wrote:
Dear List,> They sent me a PPD file. Is there any way to convert that to icc?
I am having some printing done by a company that is very helpful. I asked if they had a profile they could send so I could soft-proof the file before sending to them.
Or> how could I use it?
The PPD is purely a Postscript Printer Definition file.
Using the AdobePS postscript (and/or Ghostscript) drivers you can aim your output at their print device using the provided PPD, print to file (.ps) and distill using Acrobat Distiller to produce printready PDF documents. This is a preferred .pdf generation heralded by many publications as opposed to exporting pdfs directly from applications which may not conform to PDF/X and PDF/X1a (or other upcoming) specifications.
In your case it sounds like what they are doing is trying to make sure you meet minimum specs (resolution, font embedding, etc). They are also probably using closed loop color and may not have any idea what you are talking about regarding ICC outside their shop.
No softproof capabilities?
Go for the numbers.
If you have or can find out which type of press they will be using (SWOP, Sheetfeed, GRACOL, etc) and where (some countries have specific requirements (ECI for Europe, Dianippon and Toyo and others for Japan, Matchprint Commercial and USSWOP for USA and on and on) then you can at least choose a profile which conforms to the ink limits and UCR/GCR of the press.
You can sidestep confusing arrays of PPDs by using:
http://ddap.org/tools/univppd/index.html
at
http://ddap.org/resources/
and, when you have time, reading
http://ddap.org/resources/papers.html
Also, the ECI standards available at:
http://www.eci.org/eng/index_e.html
The big two in the SWOP specified ICC world: EuroStandard and USSWOP will suffice for 'blind' work destined for SWOP.
If you can get the specs on your press you can find (or used to once they get their website back up and running) a great set of TR001 ink/gcr/ucr profiles at http://www.chromix.com/ProfileCentral/.
Work in (choose one) these spaces, print postscript, distill using DDAP job settings file (or Press default) and your numbers should be within the requirements of most imagesetter and CTP RIPs. Whether or not you choose to tag your pdfs is up to you. This allows you to at least ballpark your numbers while using a specified softproofing space as opposed to simply defaults. You can also proof these 'process color' spaces on your Colorspan and other inkjet printers depending on your setup and how well profiled you are. (We are much alike Bill - we have Rolands.)
Then again, some people just live and die by defaults. (see Quark User Forums: http://www.quark.com/cgi-bin/[EMAIL PROTECTED]@.ee6b280)
ps: a good way to find out what ICC to use is to ask these people what application they print your PDF from. If it is a standard desktop application (Quark, InDesign, CrackJack, etc), simply ask them if they have CM on or off. That will save you the long 'ICC works/doesn't work/turn it on/turn it off' conversation.
Anyway...gotta run...
-- joel johnstone Color Canuck (A Lesser-known of the Great Northern Crowned Joels) =============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
