What is quickcut?
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- Helvetica
A potential client asked me do I use quickcut for newspaper ads? I did the cliche blank stare before I tried to dig myself out of an ignorance abyss. Can anyone enlighten me as to what quickcut is (the website tells me nothing except prices to join), and what was wrong with PDF X1-a anyway?
- nicko0
because newspapers have a size / mechanical detail checking system. I always used a bureau to make my ads 'quickcut'
- Helvetica0
but what is it? A PDF profile you can add to InDesign?
- nicko0
Um, I don't know. Is it not a delivery system?
I always used to send a pdf x1 and the bureau handled it. I guess if you're doing loads of ads it'd be worth investing in
- nicko0
"Quickcut delivers comprehensive solutions for file validation, file distribution, workflow automation.
Our solutions can be seamlessly integrated within your current workflow, operating on
We have solutions that cater for all type of users from high volume to low volume."
- matblack0
Basically it does create a PDF for print, but QuickCut have got most of the newspaper houses around the world to only accept a file created in QuickCut. The PDF gets sent with a job ticket with all relevant information (newspaper, section, booking ref, etc.) and is set-up to the specific newspapers guidelines (dot gain etc.) If the PDF is set-up wrong the paper will reject it.
It is quite useful as newspapers have slightly differing column widths. QuickCut keep them all up-to-date and have some obscure publications on their books.
I'd only get it if you do a lot of Press Advertising to warrant it, otherwise just get an agency to do it for you from your InDesign file.
- Helvetica0
OK I get it. Can I download a profile like ISOnewspaper26v4.icc and add it into my colorsync profiles to get the same effect, albeit one ad at a time?
- nicko0
yeah, what matblack said
- matblack0
You can't really download the profile. QuickCut acts as a plug-in within InDesign.
You'd create the ad in InDesign, then export it to QuickCut, this would then run a Preflight check and flag any problems (such as wrong colour profiles on images - some newspapers only lay down a certain amount of ink on press to save money, if you go over that density the job will be rejected).
You could try ringing the newspaper direct to see if they'll accept a normal PDF and give you some guidance?
- or just pay to have the ad quickcut'd and charge your clientnicko