Quark 5 Windows to Quark MAC

[BSman]

I'm getting ahead of myself here...but I'll need to know soon, so here goes.

I just purchased Quark 5/Windows because I work on PCs and have found that all of the graphics design/printers I work with use Macs and generally use Quark (not Pagemaker) for page layout. I've gotten tired of the inability to communicate, so I finally bit the bullet and purchased Quark. My concern is particularly with fonts, since I use true type fonts (not Postscript)...and postscript fonts cost a bundle.

Are there any specific procedures that you would recommend I follow once I've created a document in order to save the document in a Quark format that the Mac graphics artist can use (and modify if needed), but to avoid running into the problem of differing fonts? I'm hoping that some of you have experienced this situation (from both the PC side and the Mac side) and have some "tricks" to pass along to make it easier, more productive, and less time consuming (in terms of reducing the need to redo work done on the PC).

Thanks,
Bob

 

[tperkins]

We are on Macs here and when we get in Windows Quark files they send along the TrueType fonts, Here we have a program that converts TT to Postscript that seems towork pretty well, others may have it or similar programs. We use "Font Hopper" here. Something else that is very helpful to me is that I get a printout of the piece so if there is a font problem I usually have the same font just named differently, also I can check kerning, leading, spacing etc... Sending a pdf file with all the fonts embeded helps too. I have found that the conversion from Windows to Mac Quark isn't perfect, but what is, but with a little tweaking I can get the same results from the Windows file.

Tony Perkins

 

[RyanPace]

If you have a good relationship with your current printers/vendors I would communicate with them and find out what they prefer and can support. If not PC Quark, you could always look for one that can support your sofware.

The reason being, font conversion can be a big issue between Mac and PC, As Tperkins said, They may have a font conversion tool and can handle this. But, in many cases a printer will not feel comfortable making these conversion. It just opens the door for errors. You can have text reflow etc. Having the printer select a similar font will have the same effect.

If supported, sending your printer a PDF file with the fonts embedded may be a better option. This will take fonts out of the equation, and lock your design into place. Downside being if changes need to be made you may have to make them.

 

[tad1952]

RyanPace - a pdf is good suggestion - as long as it is set up to the service bureau's specifications.

Apparently if you have more than 128 fonts in Window's system font folder, you can anticipate font problems even with a pdf.

As always, talk to the service bureau BEFORE you create a lot of unnecessary work for yourself. Some printers will even let you send a test file ahead of time to see if there are going to be any problems with the final job. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.