I've used Illustrator before, and would like to design and have printed all my invitation and such. I'm looking to buy Illustrator, but it's over $500! I am looking on ebay, and there are a lot of version's, I think the one I used was 6, but that leads to my question.
For all of you who designed your invites to be printed by a printer, what version of Illustrator did you use? Were you using the newest Illustrator 10???? Does anyone know the if printers will still take and be able to print from older versions????????
Hi Kristin25 - this doesn't answer your question, but I actually just downloaded a free trial of Illustrator on Adobe's website. It's a 30-day trial, which I found was enough time to have everything done and sent out for printing (for invitations - although I guess if you want to use it for programs, etc, this might not work).
If for some reason you still want to buy an older version of one, most printers will take PDF's, so as long as you can convert the files to PDF you should be fine even if they don't accept V6...
You would be fine using an older version, though 6 is really, really old. If you could aim for version 8 or 9, I'd feel more comfortable recommending it. I am echoing Emilie here- saving it out as a PDF makes it importable to any newer version. An .EPS should work the same.
I use Illustrator all the time (I am a Graphic Design student). I know others have mentioned this too... but saving it as a PDF is definitely the way to go no matter what version you are using. This is the best way to guaranty that the printer will not have any problems with the file. For example if you use a font that the printer doesn't have installed on their computer it would default to something else and your work will look totally different than you were expecting. Stuff like this doesn't happen if you change the file to a PDF. Good Luck!
I am a Graphic Designer as well. A PDF as the others have recommended is just fine for any printer. One thing to consider, when saving your art as a PDF, be sure to save it as "Press Ready" or high quality if possible. This way you are not giving the printer a low resolution print. In other words, when saving the pdf, don't choose the option to have the file size as small as possible. You want the best quality you can get for printing.
I know how to save off as outlines, and then save as a PDF for the printer, but I'm just not sure the 30 day file is going to be enough for me! Plus from what I understand if you just download the 30 day trial, you only get certain functions? For thos of you who did the 30 day trial, were there enough of the functions to do everything you wanted to do???? I know that sounds funny, but I'm the kind of person who will design something, then have to just let it be for a few days, and continuously look at it to make sure I love it!
So basically what I am gathering is that as long as I save off to a PDF, no matter what version I use, the printer will not have a problem?!?
Also, just found out a friend of mine has Quark (I think that's how it's spelled), I have never used, but I could teach myself that, but does anyone know anything else about the program? Can I convert to a PDF from that??? Is it similar to Illustrator, and have all the fun stuff you can do with Illustrator?
I have used Quark. I don't love it but it works. The one I used wasn't near as user friendly as Illustrator. You could indeed convert to a PDF. Quark might be the best bet for you if you don't want to buy Illustrator.
It is more like InDesign than Illustrator though. Both are great programs, but a little more difficult to use.
You should be able to use Illustrator for everything you need...and like someone else mentioned, if you run out of time you can use the computers at Kinkos...they charge by the minute (something like 40 cents a minute)...its pretty reasonable. If you think you will be going back to things for adjustments later it is a good idea to save an illustrator document as well as a PDF because the PDF will not be editable. Hope this helps!
When saving an Illustrator file as a PDF, I recommend using the provided setting called PDF/X-1A I think there is a year in there. It's a bit of an older setting, but you would have a hard time finding a printer who had trouble printing from that setting.
Ok ladies, I need your help with something!
I've used Illustrator before, and would like to design and have printed all my invitation and such. I'm looking to buy Illustrator, but it's over $500! I am looking on ebay, and there are a lot of version's, I think the one I used was 6, but that leads to my question.
For all of you who designed your invites to be printed by a printer, what version of Illustrator did you use? Were you using the newest Illustrator 10???? Does anyone know the if printers will still take and be able to print from older versions????????
Any advice is welcome!!!
posted by Kristin25 54 posts 6 months agoHi Kristin25 - this doesn't answer your question, but I actually just downloaded a free trial of Illustrator on Adobe's website. It's a 30-day trial, which I found was enough time to have everything done and sent out for printing (for invitations - although I guess if you want to use it for programs, etc, this might not work).
If for some reason you still want to buy an older version of one, most printers will take PDF's, so as long as you can convert the files to PDF you should be fine even if they don't accept V6...
Hope this helps!
posted by emilie01 55 posts 6 months agoThe most current version is CS3. I have CS2.
You would be fine using an older version, though 6 is really, really old. If you could aim for version 8 or 9, I'd feel more comfortable recommending it. I am echoing Emilie here- saving it out as a PDF makes it importable to any newer version. An .EPS should work the same.
But try the free trial first!
posted by goteamgo 63 posts 6 months agoi also just got the free trial. you should be able to finish up everything in 30 days.
posted by Amy 209 posts 6 months agoGreat Idea to download the free trial...
I use Illustrator all the time (I am a Graphic Design student). I know others have mentioned this too... but saving it as a PDF is definitely the way to go no matter what version you are using. This is the best way to guaranty that the printer will not have any problems with the file. For example if you use a font that the printer doesn't have installed on their computer it would default to something else and your work will look totally different than you were expecting. Stuff like this doesn't happen if you change the file to a PDF. Good Luck!
posted by bekah210 3 posts 6 months agoI am a Graphic Designer as well. A PDF as the others have recommended is just fine for any printer. One thing to consider, when saving your art as a PDF, be sure to save it as "Press Ready" or high quality if possible. This way you are not giving the printer a low resolution print. In other words, when saving the pdf, don't choose the option to have the file size as small as possible. You want the best quality you can get for printing.
posted by designgirl13 12 posts 6 months agoyou could always download free indesign trial later to do programs/last minute stationery items
another option is to use a computer at kinkos which has the software. not free, but not $500!
posted by missrae 88 posts 6 months agoI know how to save off as outlines, and then save as a PDF for the printer, but I'm just not sure the 30 day file is going to be enough for me! Plus from what I understand if you just download the 30 day trial, you only get certain functions? For thos of you who did the 30 day trial, were there enough of the functions to do everything you wanted to do???? I know that sounds funny, but I'm the kind of person who will design something, then have to just let it be for a few days, and continuously look at it to make sure I love it!
So basically what I am gathering is that as long as I save off to a PDF, no matter what version I use, the printer will not have a problem?!?
Also, just found out a friend of mine has Quark (I think that's how it's spelled), I have never used, but I could teach myself that, but does anyone know anything else about the program? Can I convert to a PDF from that??? Is it similar to Illustrator, and have all the fun stuff you can do with Illustrator?
posted by Kristin25 54 posts 6 months agoI have used Quark. I don't love it but it works. The one I used wasn't near as user friendly as Illustrator. You could indeed convert to a PDF. Quark might be the best bet for you if you don't want to buy Illustrator.
posted by Candi1024 304 posts 6 months agoI think Quark is pretty expensive too...
It is more like InDesign than Illustrator though. Both are great programs, but a little more difficult to use.
You should be able to use Illustrator for everything you need...and like someone else mentioned, if you run out of time you can use the computers at Kinkos...they charge by the minute (something like 40 cents a minute)...its pretty reasonable. If you think you will be going back to things for adjustments later it is a good idea to save an illustrator document as well as a PDF because the PDF will not be editable. Hope this helps!
posted by bekah210 3 posts 6 months agoWhen saving an Illustrator file as a PDF, I recommend using the provided setting called PDF/X-1A I think there is a year in there. It's a bit of an older setting, but you would have a hard time finding a printer who had trouble printing from that setting.
posted by 711beachbride 52 posts 6 months ago