PDF and Authoring Workflows

Seybold New YorkFebruary 21, 2002

John CliffordThe GTS Companies

Why PDF?

• GTS Graphics—is a traditional prepress compositor working in the textbook industry

• GTS Publishing Services—is a full-service editorial group working in the textbook industry

• GTS Innova—is a technology-based division working with database and web integration in a variety of industries.

The GTS Companies is an organization made up of three divisions:

CD-ROM Production

GTS began looking at PDF and Acrobat in 1995 as an alternative to traditional overhead transparency packages

Its cross-platform, true-to-the-printed-version viewing engine seemed an ideal means of moving from an analog presentation format to a digital format

After producing a couple of samples, the industry decided to go with Microsoft PowerPoint instead.

The Beginnings

Our first big project in Acrobat was a CD-ROM project titled the Pfeiffer Library.

The Pfeifer Library was a series of monographs bound into 20 loose-leaf binders, totaling 10,000+ pages. The publisher, Mosby, wanted to have a readable version on a CD-ROM along with the Microsoft Word files that users could customize for their own use.

GTS got the job of working from original Word files, editing them, PDFing them, and creating all interface and navigation, as well as links to the Word files and a fully linked Index.

But we didn’t give up on Acrobat.

With the success of the Pfeiffer Library Project, we approached the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Players Directory with the idea of creating a CD-ROM version of the print product that we had been producing for the pastseveral years.

The Players Directory is a series of four volumes, published three times a year, that has the picture and contact information of actors. It is the “bible” of the Hollywood casting community.

The Academy was receptive to the idea, GTS produced the CD-ROM version of the Players Directory for over a year before we began hosting an on-line version of the Players Directory.

CTP(Computer to Plate)

Between 1998 and 2002, GTS’ primary deliverable went from 95% film to 15% film.

This resulted in the loss of a key profit center, but the CTP revolution took no prisoners.

GTS developed their own full-blown PDF workflow system to create production viable PDF files to feed the printers’ platesetters.

One of the side benefits of this workflow system was that it allowed us to “repurpose” the PDF files created for print into files for the internet, eBooks, custom published books, marketing materials, etc.

A Change of Workflow

• Helios PDF Handshake as a server-based system for the generation of PDF files

• Pitstop Server for preflight of PDF files and to run automated actions for such things as down-resing, changing colors, etc.

• Pitstop Pro for creation of actions and minor editing and for trouble-shooting problems

• Lantana Crackerjack for printing test separations

• Creo Seps2Comp for dealing with Quark trapping issues.

• And a variety of special Xtensions for various functions.

In our PDF workflow, we utilize suchtools as:

McGraw-Hill Primus—A system for the generation of custom textbooks at the college level

Marketing Materials for print and web distribution.

Facsimiles of Pupil Text pages in the Teachers editions.

McGraw-Hill Online Learning Centers—PDF material included on the web sites of individual textbooks.

International Editions—PDFs sent to off-shore printers.

Grayscale versions of 4/c Books—particularly in El Hi, the ability to create a “take home” version of a textbook.

Some of the repurpose projects we’ve created from this workflow include:

eBooks

Mosby Patient Teaching Guides

Prentice-Hall Grauer Series

McGraw-Hill e-Text

Collaboration

CollaborationOver the past few years we’ve seen a lot of interest in using PDF as a “soft-proofing” tool. We use it as such, but not in the workflow usually presented by Adobe.

Our workflow usually consists of us sending a PDF of final pages to the publisher.

They then print it out, mark it up, and fax it back to us for final corrections.

Why?

First, there is the issue of training. Most proofreaders at the publishers have been doing it for many years and are uncomfortable working on screen.

There is no GOOD way to view annotations at the same time that you’re correcting a page.

Why?

Acrobat and PDF are great tools to use for a variety of authoring needs.

• They are cross-platform

• Web enabled

• Multi-media rich

• Have small file size

• Full support for CTP print workflows

• Enable collaboration

Conclusion!

John Clifford

The GTS Companies5650 Jillson St.Los Angeles, California 90040(323) 888-8889 • FAX (323) 888-1849

john.clifford@gtscompanies.com

Thank You