InDesign — How to set up a bookmark file for a commercial printing company

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This page has some words and images that should assist you in setting up your bookmark printing file in Adobe InDesign. It will also explain how to convert text to outlines, and how to convert an Adobe InDesign bookmark file into a press-ready pdf.

Whilst the images are from an Apple-Mac, the principle is much the same if you are using a PC.

 

How to set up a bookmark file in Adobe InDesign

Adobe InDesign is a great program for creating bookmarks, and the set-up is extremely simple.

Choose File > New > Document (see the below screen shot).

 

Your screen will change to the below New Document dialogue box.

  1. Enter the Number of Pages. If you are creating a single-sided bookmark, then enter the numeral "1". If you are creating a double-sided bookmark, then enter the numeral "2".
  2. Next is the Page Size. The best way to do this is to simply enter the Width and the Height.
    • Standard bookmarks are 50mm wide and 150mm high.
    • Jumbo bookmarks are 50mm wide and 200mm high.
  3. The Columns is next. If you know what you are doing, then do as you want. If you are unsure about what to do with the Columns, then ensure that the Number is "1" and the Gutter is "0".
  4. The Margins should all be set at 5mm.
  5. The Bleeds should be set at 3mm, and the Slug should be set at 0mm.
  6. If everything has been entered correctly, click the "OK" button.

 

 

Your screen will now change and you will be presented with a blank document (see the below left-hand image).

  1. The black line is where your bookmark is going to be trimmed to size.
  2. The red line is the bleed line. If your bookmark is going to have some background colours or background images, and if those background colours or background images are going to go to the edge of the finished bookmark (i.e.: to the trim line), then you MUST ensure that the background colours or background images go past the trim line and continue all the way to the red bleed line. If you look closely at the below right-hand image you will see that the green background colours travel all the way to the bleed line.
  3. The magenta line (purple for the blokes) is the Safety Margin line. You MUST ensure that all vital text is kept inside the Safety Margin line. You will notice that the text in the below right-hand image has been kept within the Safety Margin line.
    Also, if you are going to have images or background colours that will not go to the edge of the finished bookmark (i.e.: to the trim line), then those images or background colours MUST be kept inside the Safety Margin line.
 

Once you have finished creating your bookmark in Adobe InDesign, simply save your file — you can send your Adobe InDesign bookmark file to your printing company.

 

Before you do actually send your Adobe InDesign bookmark file to your commercial printer, TheOnlinePrinter suggests that you consider the following.

  • Your printing company might not have the fonts that you used on your bookmark, or your printing company might not be licensed to use those fonts. This can make matters extremely difficult if your file needs any adjustments before it goes to press. However, there will be no such problem if you convert your fonts to outlines.
  • Adobe InDesign files can be large and their size can create probelms when E-mailing or uploading them to printing companies. PDFs, however, are almost always significantly smaller than Adobe InDesign files. TheOnlinePrinter suggests this is one good reason for converting your Adobe InDesign bookmark files to PDFs.
  • Adobe InDesign files can become corrupted when E-mailed or uploaded on the Internet. PDFs, however, are a very stable format. TheOnlinePrinter suggests this another good reason for converting your Adobe InDesign bookmark files to PDFs.

  

How to convert text in your bookmark file into outlines when using Adobe InDesign

Outlining text in Adobe InDesign bookmark files is easy.

Choose Edit > Select All (see below image).

Now choose Type > Create Outlines (see below).

Your text is now converted to outlines, and the fonts will not be an issue.

 

How to convert your Adobe InDesign bookmark file into a press-ready PDF

Choose File > Export (see below)

Your screen will change to the below Export dialogue box.

  • Ensure that the Format drop-down menu is selected at Adobe PDF or PDF (see the red arrow below).
  • Click the Save button.

 

You will now be presented with the Export Adobe PDF dialogue box that is shown below, and the top blue tab should be set on General (left-hand red box).

  • Make sure the Adobe PDF Preset is set at Press Quality (top red box).
  • Ensure that the All radio button is highlighted (see bottom red box).
  • Click on the Compression tab that is just under the General tab.

The screen will now change to the Compression page, and the Compression tab should be highlighted in blue (see the top left red box below).

  1. Ensure the Color Images options are the same as those in the box numbered "1".
  2. Ensure the Greyscale Images options are the same as those in the box numbered "2".
  3. Ensure the Monochrome Images options are the same as those in the box numbered "3".
  4. Click the Marks and Bleeds tab that is just below the Compression tab.

You are now on the last screen shot, and the Marks and Bleeds tab should be highlighted in blue (see below).

  1. Make sure that the Crop Marks box is ticked.
  2. Ensure that all the Bleeds boxes are set at 3mm.
  3. Click the blue Export button.

You now have a press-ready PDf that you can send to your commercial printer.

Given the fonts have been outlined, and given you are using the stable PDF format, you should not have any troubles with the file (and nor should your printing company).