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Collect for Output
To make [sending files to the printer] significantly easier for y’all, Quark has included a cool feature called Collect for Output. Selecting this command from the File menu copies your document and all the picture files necessary for its output to a folder of your choice-it doesn’t move or remove the original files. New in version 5 is the ability to also copy your document’s fonts, which is a great step forward. XPress also creates a report containing detailed information about your document, including fonts and pictures you used, and trapping information. Then all you have to do is get the folder to your service bureau or color prepress house by modem, messenger, or carrier pigeon.
Using this command is simplicity itself. When you select it, it prompts you to find a folder, and asks you to specify a name for the report. I typically just use QuarkXPress’s default name; it’s simply the name of your document with “report” stuck on the end. Then, when you click Save, QuarkXPress copies your document and extra files, wherever they might reside, to that target folder. If you haven’t saved your file before selecting Collect for Output, QuarkXPress asks you if you want to save first.
Note that to avoid potential copyright problems, QuarkXPress won’t copy fonts to the folder unless you specifically ask it to. The legal ramifications of sending these files are between you, your service bureau, and your font vendor. I don’t blame Quark for wanting to stay out of this one!
Collecting files for output often takes longer than manually copying each file, as QuarkXPress does a very thorough search for each file it needs. This may take a bit longer, but the process does give you the satisfaction of knowing you haven’t forgotten to copy that little bitty logo illustration hidden at the bottom of page 32.
Also note that you may need lots of space on your hard drive to do this. I recently worked on a job in which the combined size of the document and all the pictures in it was over 500 MB. When I went to Collect for Output, not only did it take almost forever to do, but I ran out of hard-drive space halfway through the procedure. If you’re working with big files like this, it may be easier and less painful for you to simply copy files yourself.
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This article was last modified on February 22, 2022
This article was first published on August 7, 2002
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Since Pagemaker 6.0 at least and InDesign since the quirky version 1.0 has had this feature, complete with font copying, I’m surprised Quark Xpress has only just now seen the need for this function. It’s a function that seems essential if you want to get your project printed in a timely manner without a bunch of problems at pre-press. I think Sandy Cohen may be in the right court now and Quark better get with the program if they want to stay in the game. Adobe is gaining ground.