What
you should know about Fonts
A survey, resulting from a research project created to
identify and rank the most commonly occurring problems with
electronic file preparation, listed "Fonts Missing"
as the number one problem from a list of 27. What usually
happens is that customers often use a particular type style
in preparing their documents, but do not include the digital
files. When the fonts are not included, the output devices
we use generally substitute an available font, such as Courier,
in its place, and the type looks much different than was
intended. Font substitution can also cause text to reflow.
Some layout applications like Adobe’s InDesign and
PageMaker have utilities that allow the user to pack all
the necessary elements needed in order to print, including
the font files, using the “Save for Service Provider
option.” Quark’s Xpress equivalent is its “Collect
for Output” tool. Some others like Microsoft Publisher’s
“Pack and Go” or Adobe’s Illustrator “Save
as Illustrator EPS” will have an option to embed the
fonts into the file.
But other utilities might not include the fonts at all
due to their interpretation of font copyright restrictions.
And most programs (word processing, illustration, spreadsheet,
and presentation programs), at this time, do not provide
a file collection utility at all.
What can you do?
If you are using Corel Draw, Freehand, Illustrator or InDesign
you have the option to convert all text to outlines. This
turns the text into artwork resolving any font issues but
making the copy un-editable. We strongly suggest you save
a copy of your file before converting all text to outlines.
The other option is to manually collect the font files.
In our next newsletter we will explain how to do this.
See our online help files at http://www.bestprintingonline.com/help/
The
Benefits of 
