Re: To speak or not to speak -- that is the question

["Jeff Hanvey" <jewahe -at- comcast -dot- net>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- granatedit -dot- com>

> My client is asking whether I can produce a brochure based on the
> proposed new design of his Web site (using the colors and graphics on
> the new site). He calls it his "new site," but it is not live yet.
> I am going to be editing the text for the Web site as well as a
> second, short manual for this client.
>
> I have three problems I need to solve with regard to this request:
>
> PROBLEM 1
>
> PROBLEM 2

I'd call both to his attention, using a tactful, outside-user-with-questions
attitude.

However, since you are in the employment, if they truly will use these
items, you don't really have much of a choice but to use what they give you.

> PROBLEM 3 - Can I use FrameMaker or Word to create a brochure design?
> I'm assuming the answer is yes, but what do printers expect to get
> when a brochure is to be printed?

I'd ask him what printer he's using, and contact them directly.  They may
have strict limitations (for example, they only use Quark or PageMaker/In
Design).  If conversion between formats is an issue, you can head those off
at the design level.  However, in my experience, most items are sent
ready-to-print using PDF, so either Word or Frame is reasonable and
conversion shouldn't be an issue (although you should probably know which
version of Acrobat they're using, and make arrangements for incompatible
versions).  You should also understand their options for folding the
brochure before you  design it - The difference between an accordion fold
and a tri-fold could seriously affect the flow of the information and
design. If you're going to do a bi-fold, or some other unusual fold, there
could be issues with set up and cutting.

My experience with printers has been that you should *always* control as
much of the process as possible and leave little, if anything up to the
printer.  Assumptions and misunderstandings in this area can rapidly
increase costs and printing time.

Jeff Hanvey
Thomson, GA
jewahe -at- lycos -dot- co -dot- uk
http://www.jewahe.net