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Answers
General Plot/Print Checklist
1. Keep file sizes as small as possible.
The smaller your file size, the faster it will print. Most of the waiting time is for the file to be sent from the server to the printer.
Optimize your file size and you will get your print faster.
Also important is the resolution of your images/files--we recommend sending images/files no higher than 200 dpi. If necessary lower the resolution--this can dramatically decrease the printing time.
2. Plotting and printing from PDF files is the recommended digital workflow.
We prefer that all output be sent to the plotters as PDF files.
The most important element in successful plotting and printing is the compatibility of your print/plot data. The PDF file format was invented by Adobe to ensure compatible output from screen to printer. The recommended digital file workflow in the school is to convert your file to PDF, then open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat DC and proceed to print. Using the PDF format allows the image to be verified and checked before you plot the file and incur charges.
A PDF can be created from any lab computer program by printing to "Adobe PDF", which creates the PDF file.
Some programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator let you save directly as a PDF. You can then open the newly created PDF in Acrobat to print it.
Check out the SOA Computing website for a guide on how to optimize a PDF to decrease the file size before printing.
3. Use the correct print driver for the type of file you are printing.
Most plotters on Windows have both a postscript and non-postscript driver (for example, Pichu shows up under printers as "Pichu" which is non-postscript, and "Pichu-Postscript", which is postscript).
As a rule, if the printer has a choice of drivers, send Adobe program files (PDF, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) to the postscript driver.
Problems such as large dimension jobs printing only part of the drawing often result from using the wrong driver (usually using non-postscript when you should use postscript).
4. Check Plotter Settings.
Most problems result in the print output being rotated and cut off. There are specific steps to follow when setting up your print job that help prevent this.
Step-by-step instructions for large format printing from Acrobat DC:
5. Do test plots before deadlines.
If this is the first time you are using an application, do a test print well in advance. This way you know you can plot correctly, and you thoroughly understand the settings.
Plot small subsections of large dimension files ahead of time to check the color and quality of output (use Acrobat’s crop function to set up a small section for test plotting).
6. Give yourself enough time to plot before your review.
Give yourself plenty of time for plotting.
Chances are everyone else will wait until the last minute to plot; do not make that mistake yourself.
Give yourself at a minimum 24 hours to plot before it is due.
7. Seek help when needed.
If you have questions, please ask a Plot Monitor; they are there to help.
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