Question

Topic: Other

Reducing Large Quark Catalog File To Pdf

Posted by Anonymous on 3/6/2009 at 9:29 PM ET 100 Points
This is a question for graphics experts out there.

We just completed a new full-color catalog, it is a total of 40 pages including the cover. There are anywhere from about 5-20 graphic items per page representing products, not including other page layout element such as separation elements, page tabs, etc. Developer is using Quark for the layout tool.

The total file size is about 900 Meg in PDF when print ready. I had the catalog developer produce a low resolution file, but it is still about 15 Meg, which is larger than I would like to see for web downloads and for emailing. Note I have several competitors with catalogs in the 25-30 page catalog range, they have files in the 3-5 Meg size range.

Looking for suggestions on how best to convert to get to the smallest reasonable size for an elecronic PDF file suitable for customers. (For example, convert it all in Quark first? Convert to PDF, then go to low res?)

Any suggestions on this helpful, was hoping to have an electronic version about a week ago I could start to use for emailing to several prospects.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Frank Hurtte on 3/6/2009 at 10:39 PM Accepted
    A lot of this depends on how it was developed in the first place. When these things are developed in word or publisher and "printed" to PDF they turn out huge.

    I suggest you look at the picture sizes first.

    Also, I can tell you that most people will not stand for a 15 meg download unless they REALLY, REALLY want to buy from you.

    BTW, there are catalog maker programs that can be had pretty cheap that do the job quick and easy.
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 3/7/2009 at 9:26 AM Accepted
    Don't send large files via email - it may clog people's inbox and cause them problems (depending on their web hosting solution). If you must send them a PDF, sent a link to it for downloading (or use a solution such as YouSendIt (https://www.yousendit.com/).

    First, isolate where the big size is coming from. Start by removing all the images and get a baseline PDF size. Page-by-page add the images back in. Hopefully, you'll identify a few very high res images that need to be reworked.
  • Posted by Mikee on 3/7/2009 at 10:45 AM Accepted
    The image sizes need to be optimized for the web. The full resolution images are just a waste when viewed on a monitor.

    I know in InDesign you can compress the photos down. I bet Quark will allow the same.

    However, if your layout is very rich in images you can only get it so small.

    You might consider breaking it into logical chunks.

    If you are looking to do it on the web, I would suggest moving the content over to the web. This means rebuilding it as a website. You take out some of the graphics and really optimize it for the web. People do not always like downloading stuff and will most likely appreciate being able to get the info directly in their browser.

    Hope this helps,
    Mike
  • Posted by Harry Hallman on 3/8/2009 at 6:49 PM Accepted
    You could also break the PDF in to sections, ( separate files) if you can, and provide a link for each.

    Also there is a optimize tool in Acrobat. Try that as well.
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