Image Quality & PDF

Discussion in 'Graphics & Multimedia' started by Aitch, Jul 6, 2010.

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  1. #1
    I've seen quite a few e-books in my time, and many of them have razor sharp image quality. However, when I save a MS Word 2007 file as .PDF, the quality goes out the window as the file gets compressed.

    Any ideas or suggestions on how to, or programs to purchase, that will allow me to create good PDF files without losing the quality in graphics?

    Thanks in advance

    Andii
     
    Aitch, Jul 6, 2010 IP
  2. Kerosene

    Kerosene Alpha & Omega™ Staff

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    #2
    Are you talking about the quality of jpg images that you've imported into Word? If so, there should be a setting somewhere to adjust the jpg compression when you go to save it as a PDF. I'm not really familiar with Word and what it can and can't do... but it might be worth trying OpenOffice. It can output to PDF. It's free and open source.
    http://www.openoffice.org/

    I use InDesign, which is fantastic for creating ebooks and for press/print ready PDFs.
     
    Kerosene, Jul 6, 2010 IP
  3. Aitch

    Aitch Well-Known Member

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    #3
    Thanks for your reply Kerosene :)

    I couldn't find those options in Word 2007, but i will go back and have another look. I will also take a look at the Adobe indesign program that you mention.

    Cheers

    Andii
     
    Aitch, Jul 6, 2010 IP
  4. zhoom

    zhoom Peon

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    #4
    I would second indesign.

    The problem with word is it is not designed to publish high quality documents, whether optimized for the web or for printing. It also processes your pictures to import them into word, therefore losing quality once, then when you go to pdf you lose quality again. plus you are probably using jpg which is a lossy format. I don't believe open office would be any different to this.

    indesign on the other hand is specifically designed for professional design. It comes with a complete preflight package for setting up your doc for export to pdf. It also does not import images as such. Rather it creates a link to the image so you don't lose quality importing it into the software. It also lets you link tiff and psd image formats which are less lossy than jpg.
     
    zhoom, Jul 9, 2010 IP
  5. webgain

    webgain Guest

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    #5
    very right zhoom. Word is for basic documentary. That is not for printing task.
     
    webgain, Feb 2, 2011 IP
  6. fewtion

    fewtion Peon

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    #6
    I have only saved PDF with word 2011 on mac. But the quality on text is very good its the images that struggle in word. Just need to make sure the original image is 300dpi for better results.
     
    fewtion, Feb 2, 2011 IP
  7. AHEINC

    AHEINC Peon

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    #7
    ONLY Indesign. It will not only preserve the quality of the images but will let you place it exactly where you want it and how you want it. Word is just a waste of disk space...
     
    AHEINC, Feb 3, 2011 IP