[Scribus] Need help with DTP under Linux (spell check read this version)

[Axel Bojer]

Jelle de Jong skrev:
> Hello,
> 
> This is my first email on this mailing list, so welcome everyone and
> keep up the good work.
> 
> This is the problem: I want to design documents like flyers,
> business cards, etcetera. I want to do this with open source tools
> under Linux. I want to be able to deliver my files directly to the press
> without converting special things or let the press do extra work.
> 
> I am very familiar with The GIMP. So I started to make my
> business cards. Maybe I made my first mistake here, I don't know yet!
> 
> I took a high resolution design because I wanted to use it for more
> things. (2400x2400)
> 
> The business-card has a final size of 55x85mm and has colours to the
> edge. So I put 1mm on every side so the total size will be 57x87mm.

With Scribus you can make every page size you wish, now I have not 
counted, but the printer would have to tell you wich format they want, I 
don't think they will want just one finished file, but pages? I have 
just printed books and magazines though, so I could be wrong here.

> Now the resolution and color profile are good. But the Geometry
> option does a anti aliasing effect and turns my card in a full > 500
> color file.

If you want to avoid using Gimp to make the text you could import the 
rest of the images in Scribus and then put a text frame on top of your 
image. If you still have the image with layers, this should be fine.

> The resulting file I can send to my printer (HP Color LaserJet 8500DN)
> 
> But the quality of a 300 dpi image sucks on my printer if I sent the
> high resolution converted CMYK file to my printer it looks fine.
> 
> Why do they use such low resolutions?
> 
> And here I think I made a mistake by using image based text made with
> The GIMP?

Hard to tell, could be just right depending on the way you made it. If 
the image is good enough (and 300 dpi *should* suffice I always use 
that, with the best results -- at least concerning the dpi :-P).

> What are the specifications of file's I can send to the press, and how
> can I create files according to these specifications?
(...)

Depending on what format you printer would want, here is what I would 
have tried:

1. Make *one* picture frame in a new scribus document (make the size fit 
for instance 3 x 7 visit cards), put the text atop (or import your 
finished image with the text made in Scribus).
2. When you are satisfied with your first card, use "Object -- multiply" 
to fill your sheat with exact copies of your first visit card. Use the 
boxes "vertical/horizontal offset" to make them tile your page (H=55mm 
and W=85mm should be fine). Make sure the page has the right margin 
around the outer visit cards.
3. export as pdf (remember to embed the fonts and use the right solution 
etc. You may also want to find a fitting colour profile, again this may 
vary depending on your printer).

OR

Make the one visit card your only one.
1. Make a document of 57x87 mm (as you suggested) and leave the outer 
2mm for bleeding.
2. Make one picture frame, import you picture and put the text atop in a 
new text frame.
(Or import your finished image with the text made in Scribus).
3. export as pdf (remember to embed the fonts and use the right solution 
etc. You may also want to find a fitting colour profile, again this may 
vary depending on your printer)

Depending on your printer one of these two should fit :-)

Se
http://wiki.scribus.net/index.php/Main_Page
for relevant links :-)


Best regards
Axel Bojer