Unless your printer specifically requests files in PostScript format, it's usually best to use the Pack and Go Wizard to prepare a Microsoft Publisher file for commercial printing.
What's the difference between handing off a Publisher file and a PostScript file?
If you hand off a Publisher file, the Pack and Go Wizard verifies linked graphics, embeds TrueType fonts, and packs all the files your printing service needs to print your publication. If you hand off a PostScript file, you are responsible for updating graphics, including the necessary fonts, and ensuring that you have all the files your printing service needs.
In addition, with Publisher files, the printing service can verify that fonts and linked graphics are available, trap your publication, make color corrections or separations, and set final printing options. If you hand off a PostScript file, you are responsible for completing these prepress tasks.
Use Pack and Go to prepare Publisher files
The Pack and Go Wizard is extremely easy to use, and it will greatly simplify the process of preparing your files for commercial printing. When you use Pack and Go, the wizard creates linked graphics and embeds fonts in your publication, so that your printing service has access to the graphics and typefaces you want to use in your publication. In addition, the wizard will list any fonts that it can't embed and will report any problems with linked graphics.
Pack your publication using the Pack and Go Wizard
The Pack and Go Wizard will take you through each step of the packing process.
Tips to keep in mind while using Pack and Go
Unpack and open Microsoft Publisher files for a commercially printed publication
The Pack and Go Wizard names and numbers packed files and adds a .puz extension. For example, the first file will be named Packed01.puz, the second file will be Packed02.puz, and so on. A Readme.txt file and Unpack.exe program also are included with the packed files.Insert the first disk with the packed files into the appropriate drive on your computer.
If your printer does request PostScript files, follow these steps. Before you hand off your files, be sure to ask to your printing service about prepress tasks and the settings you should use for your publication.
Microsoft Publisher includes two printer drivers that are compatible with most PostScript printers.
The Add Printer Wizard appears.
Windows 2000 Users
Windows 98 Users
In most cases, you can use Pack and Go to prepare your files for commercial printing. If your printing service uses only Macintosh computers, or if they don't accept Microsoft Publisher files, you may need to save your publication in PostScript file format.
PostScript files are used only for printing on a PostScript printer, and you cannot make changes to a PostScript file after you have saved it. Before you save your publication in PostScript format, ask your commercial printing service if they want you to set specific print settings. You'll set the options they give you in step 7.
Publisher displays the Save as PostScript File dialog box.
Note By default, Windows optimizes PostScript for speed rather than portability. If you're running Windows 95 or later, be sure that PostScript is optimized for portability and/or ADSC (Adobe Document Structuring Conventions). If you're running Windows NT or Windows 2000, the PostScript settings depend on the printer driver. There may be no optimization options, but you should be sure that the Page Independence option or the PostScript Output option is turned on (File menu, Print Setup, Properties, Document Options, PostScript Options).