QuarkXPress Tips

All versions of QuarkXPress are supported for both Apple Macintosh and Windows platforms. Here are some basic tips that apply to all software versions and for both platforms.

• Document Setup Basics
• Creating Bleed
• Exporting PDF Files from QuarkXPress
• Collecting Your Quark Job for Printing
• Converting to CMYK Color 

For even more tips please visit our Quick Tips section. This is our catch-all category for all manner of miscellaneous tips, tricks, program fixes, and workarounds to help you with building your artwork . We'll add new items from time to time so check in to see what's been added recently.

Document Setup Basics

• Set your layout page size to to match your final individual page size.  Do not use an oversize page as a pasteboard.
• Make certain that you have provided that 1/8" bleed for all images and for any other items that touch the outer edges of the pages in your document.
• Do not use Non-White Areas clipping paths. For best results all clipping paths should be created within Photoshop (or other image editing applications) and the files should be saved using the EPS format with the clipping path enabled.
• If you are colorizing grayscale TIFFs and their picture box backgrounds separately (these are also known as false duotones) in QuarkXPress please let us know when you are uploading your files so that they can be handled correctly.
• Convert all type in any placed EPS files to shapes or make certain that you include these fonts when you send your files. These fonts will not be collected when you do a Collect For Output.

Special Note: Later versions of Quark will alter the names of PANTONE colors when they are imported into the color palette with placed EPS files (example: PANTONE 121 CVC will be shortened to PANTONE 121 C). This will cause two separate PANTONE 121 spot color plates to be generated. To prevent output problems caused by duplicate inks the ink colors in the EPS files should be renamed to match color name in the Quark ink palatte exactly.

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Creating Bleed

The way to create bleed is to simply make certain that the image or graphic extends off the edge of the page to a distance of 1/8" (.125) wherever you want something to bleed.

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Exporting Your QuarkXPress Document to PDF

1. The first step in exporting PDF files from QuarkXPress is to set up the Preferences for the type of PDF that you will need to export. Navigate to the Prefernces dialogue box and select PDDF in the left column. Then click the Default Options button.
   
   
    
2. Click the Job Options button at the top. Select the Embed all fonts option. Set Compression Options to None and Keep Resloution for each of the three image types. Select the Compress Text and Line Art option. Leave ASCII unchecked.
   
   
    
3. Click the Output button at the top. Set the Color Output type to Composite and the Print Colors to CMYK.
   
   Special Note: If you are colorizing grayscale TIFFs and their picture box backgrounds separately (these are also known as false duotones) then you should select the DeviceN color option rather than CMYK.
   
   Check the Produce Blank Pages option.
   
   Uncheck the Use OPI option.
   
   Set the Registration to centered with an offset of 9 pt (.125").
   
   The Bleed Type should be set to Symetric and the amount to .125".
   
   
   
   Click OK.
    
4. You are now ready to create PDF files from your QuarkXPress documents. From the File menu select:
   
   Export > Layout as PDF.
   
   
    
5. A dialogue box with the Default Job Options that you set up in step 2 will then come up.
   
   
   
   Click OK.
    
6. Navigate to the desired file location, and name your PDF.
   
   
    
7. Click Save to create your PDF.

Collecting Your Job for Printing

Collect your files for upload using Quark’s Collect for Output  command. In QuarkXPress the Collect for Output utility is accessed via the File Menu:

1. Go to File > Collect for Output
    
   
    
2. In the area marked Collect and select the following Collect options:
   Layouts
   Linked Pictures
   Embedded Pictures
   Fonts (for PC or for Macintosh both Screen and Printer Fonts)
   Include Fonts and Links from Hidden Document Layers
   
   
3. Select the New Folder button then name it and place it anywhere like. Save your files to the new folder of your choice and location.
4. You will get a standard warning dialogue box concerning illegal copying and distributing fonts.
   
   
    
5. Select OK and Quark will collect copies of all necessary items in the new folder that you have just created.

If you like, you may then compress this folder by using Stuffit, ZIP, or similar compression software prior to uploading your files.

Special Note: To prevent any loss of resource fork data that would render your fonts useless, Macintosh users should always compress their files on a Macintosh.

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Converting to CMYK Color Space

Use the following menu options:

Edit > Edit Colors > Show Colors in Use

Highlight each color one at a time and for each click Edit. Change the color model to CMYK and deselect Spot color.

Each placed graphics file or picture must also be converted to CMYK in their creating application (such as Photoshop or Illustrator) and their links should then be updated prior to doing a Collect for Output.

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