Here is an email I received from Mr. Neil Stratton, whom handles the distribution and management of Deutscher Drucker’s English version for their printing magazine focusing on technology and the larger German printing industry (DACH market; Germany, Austria and Switzerland). Email and PDF of this special edition of their publication posted with Neil’s prior approval here:

Here are the topical bits of eDD42, which, as a special Christmas treat, we are also sending to non-subscribers to show them some of what they are missing.
This is the last eDD before 2010, so Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
The first issue of DD in 2010 will appear on Thursday 14th January 2010.
Between now and the first issue of 2010, we will be sending out the features articles for 38 onwards to subscribers.
Download PDF here:
eDD42-Deutscher Drucker-eng

Best wishes
Neil

What I like about reading Deutscher Drucker, other than the fact of staying abreast on what is happening within Germany in general, is the fact that they offer some of the most in-depth technical pieces in print (or pdf as is the case here) in the printing trade as a general monthly printing publication. Others are good, maybe even very good, but imho, DD (short for Deutscher Drucker) is one of the best sources for technique, workflow and detailed technical information for prepress software, hardware and related processes.  Read more... (295 words, estimated 1:11 mins reading time)

This is a cool site for those in the printing industry in the UK, but useful for anyone that uses the English language really, PrintSpeak.

“Print is not dead, but circulation and readership of printed publications are falling fast“, says Karen Charlesworth. It is Karen’s honest reporting and fairness to both vendors, as well as the users alike, that makes this site a must visit, in my book. The site is like a portal for both print news, but also informative links on prepress software, hardware, as well as editorial views that are up to the moment. They even have a nice Pre-flighting software (stand-alone) category. Check it out:

http://www.printspeak.co.uk

They also have a great and easy to read print industry newsletter which you can subscribe to. Print’s one-stop product information shop • printing products directory, video library, product news and more..

Here is a quick peak inside the wide format digital imaging print workflow. This video from YouTube user SGIAdigital covers from file preparation to the print finishing process. Neat to watch:

Click image below to view on YouTube or here to watch-

When clients hand you source files so ancient or obscure that they’re unreadable for design layout file conversion, don’t despair. Part 1 of my file conversion survival kit will have you repurposing those files lickety split — without asking the client to lift a finger, and without forcing you to buy every application under the sun just to open the occasional weirdo document.

I bet they forgot to tell you in design school that you need to become an expert in computer file formats to survive, let alone succeed, in our field.

Consider graphic file formats. Your clients and vendors assume you know the limitations and appropriate use of all the image file types: JPEG, TIFF, PSD, AI, EPS, GIF, PNG, DNG, BMP… Tell me, did you take that class at Design School U?

Luckily, most layout programs (Web, print, or presentation) can import a wide variety of graphics file formats; and if they can’t, a quick trip to an image converter utility (or in and out of Photoshop, Illustrator, or CorelDRAW) will spit out a version in an appropriate format.  Read more... (2293 words, 8 images, estimated 9:10 mins reading time)