PDFs drucken

Preparing PDFs (for printing in CoLAB) # Direct link to this section

• PDFs for printing should ideally be converted to PDF-X standard.
• File names should only contain ASCII characters
• Reduce file size, e.g. by:
  • Exporting image material in 300 dpi
• Converting complex vector graphics to images
• Unnesting placed InDesign files --> e.g., embedding them as PDFs or images

Test printing # Direct link to this section

• Before printing a large print job with many pages and complex settings, it is advisable to do a test print of a few pages.
  • For double-sided printing, e.g., front and back
• For imposition, e.g., a booklet before printing multiple copies

Double-sided printing # Direct link to this section

Option 1: Apple print dialog # Direct link to this section

• Select the “Double-sided” option in the print dialog.

! Apple print dialog. The “Double-sided” option is selected.

• Depending on the layout of the document, the “Flip on narrow edge” option may need to be selected. If necessary, print two pages as a test. If the reverse side is rotated by 180°, try the other option.

Imposition # Direct link to this section

Imposition refers to the process of combining individual pages to print booklets or sheets.

Preparations # Direct link to this section

• The page count must be divisible by 4.
• Export as single pages, with bleed only on the outside if necessary.

Creating impositions with SpectroLite # Direct link to this section

• The Spectrolite software (freeware) is available in CoLAB. Here is the link to the tutorial on creating impositions.

Troubleshooting # Direct link to this section

• Is the printer turned on?
• Is the correct driver selected? In CoLAB: SW-Laser 1 or SW-Laser 2.
• Is the printer displaying an error message?

• 2025-09-24 – Updated tutorial for printing PDFs. by simonthi