Large Format Printing

Adobe developed the PDF (Portable Document Format) in the early 90′s and has become a standard for in the Graphic arts industry.

The principal advantages are two; first the files may be viewed by everyone using a freely distributed viewer, and the file is platform independent. Most graphic applications for Mac or Windows can readily output PDF files, and Large Format Print processors can directly accept the format.

The ability to view the files by all in the process loop is a great time saver, issues that may affect you project can be identified early in the process. By the time a busy pre-press operation gets to view the files many simple issues will have already been resolved.

In cases where you are expecting your printer’s pre-press department to make modifications to your files you may need additional source files for print. You are always better if you include the PDF format with your files.

The future of the EPS file format

EPS is rapidly becoming an outdated file format which is being replaced by PDF just like PostScript itself is also being phased out and replaced by PDF. Don’t just take my word on this. Here is what Dov Isaacs from Adobe said in a discussion on a PrintPlanet forum about the future of PostScript:  Adobe will continue to support EPS as a legacy graphics format for import of non-color managed, opaque graphical data into Adobe applications (such as InDesign and Illustrator). Although we certain do not recommend that new graphical content be stored in EPS format (except to satisfy the need to import data into page layout programs that aren’t quite PDF-centric  no need to mention names here!), our user base should feel comfortable that there is no need to worry about a need to convert their very sizable libraries of EPS-based graphic assets.

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