How long do you keep files from printed jobs? and who is ultimately
responsible for these.

I have just received the 3rd request for a back up copy of a job I did
over a year ago.
The first (original) one that I sent to the printer, which contained
all of the fonts and images was misplaced by the client, apparenty the
2nd CD, I burned 6 months ago and charged $25 + shipping was
"corrupt". (I don't have the CD to check it - but I think I should get
it back, so that I can look at it for myself.)

I am not in the file storage business, but I want to be reasonable
about this. How do you guys handle requests lilke this?


2nd question: Can a full resolution PDF be created by using just Quark?


The same client wants pdf's of the Quark files, so she can re-print,
and attach them to e-mail. I have since upgraded to Quark 6.0 now, so I
think I can do that (I don't have Acrobat, and I don't want to hand
over the fonts)

On a closing note, I feel like the client is asking for more than they
should get, like when clients ask for layered photoshop files, or is a
provided PDF file of a job that has already printed so it can be used
in various ways part of the job.
I did not stipulate the extent of copies and their various versions, I
would provide at the beginning -- it was a one color brochure to be
offset printed. Pretty clear cut, or so I thought.

Thanks for reading my novella,
Melissa
(Maybe I just need to vent 'casue I don't want to be bothered ?)

in article 1110332458.993135.249670@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups. com, Melissa at
melliska@mac.com wrote on 03/08/2005 5:40 PM:


I personally charge for everything. I charge enough to make it worth my
while to provide the service. I don't care if the client likes it or not.
I am in business to make money, not friends.

On 3/8/05 8:40 PM, in article
1110332458.993135.249670@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups. com, "Melissa"
<melliska@mac.com> spewed:

something from the past that can save you a lot of time. CDs are cheap and
easy to store. I burn at least 2 of each: 1 for storage and 1 for working,
in addition to a external HD with as much as I can keep on it. Yes, I'm
paranoid.

Charge for your materials, time preparing and mailing, and a small fee for
archive services. It sounds as if you should set a minimum fee that cover
small services like this.

Send the bill along with the files. You're performing a service beyond the
original contracted project I assume, and that is obviously worth something
to the client at this point since you've shown yourself to be a reliable
safety net to them.
--
Jeff 'The Wizard of Draws' Bucchino

Cartoons with a Touch of Magic�
http://www.wizardofdraws.com

More Cartoons with a Touch of Magic�
http://www.cartoonclipart.com

In article <1110332458.993135.249670@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups .com>,
"Melissa" <melliska@mac.com> wrote:


backing up is common sense for anyone using digital files on a regular basis.


yes.

get acrobat. you don't hand over any fonts.


if it takes time, charge for it.



with that sort of attitude you sound like a fine person to deal with.

"Melissa"

| How long do you keep files from printed jobs? and who is ultimately
| responsible for these.

How long you keep files is up to you.

As for me I keep EVERYTHING (storage is cheap) I also keep back ups in two
far distant locations for the following reasons.

I have a client who kept the back ups for his business in his computer desk.
Last hurricane took his building down to the foundation.

The ONLY back up he had was in my files.

His business interruption insurance carrier sent me a substantial check
(~10% of their exposure) as appreciation. The client is mine forever.

woodsie wrote:
Actaully, I am a fine person.


Melissa

"Melissa" <melliska@mac.com> wrote in message
news:1110332458.993135.249670@o13g2000cwo.googlegr oups.com...
we keep everything tho as part of an office move some things have been lost,
we apologise for this but ultimatley we dont care beyond the signing off of
a project.

even sending copies of CD's that are 'corrupt' should have a charge for them
(youve still to post it and if they argue say "it left here ok, it must have
been corrupt in transit, get intouch with FedEx or someone if you want a
refund"

we dont supply layered photoshop files under any circumstance

sending PDF's for reprint is fine because we dont need to be involved in it,
if they waht it changing then thats another matter

It seems hard, but a client will twist and turn to get something for
nothing - all you're doing is asking for something in exchange for your
time - everything is chargeable for

Mark

"Melissa" <melliska@mac.com> wrote in message
news:1110332458.993135.249670@o13g2000cwo.googlegr oups.com...
I design web sites and keep client files (both paper records and web site
files) since I've been in business (10 yrs). I always provide the first CD
free upon request. Multiple copies or copies provided some time later I
charge for. Usually $25-$35, with free shipping unless they require
overnight/express, though sometimes I'll provide it free for some of my
better clients.


Sorry, can't answer as I don't do print design.

In article <1110332458.993135.249670@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups .com>,
melliska@mac.com says...
So far, I haven't had a request like this. But, I keep cd backups of
most of my old files.

Definately ask for the cd back. If it's corrupt, burn a new one at no
charge...but if it's ok, charge them for the new shipping.

Quark should be like every other program, and should make pdfs just
fine.

If you dont want to hand over the fonts, a pdf file is great. The client
can print the file, but the fonts are embedded, so you aren't actually
handing them over. If you dont want to shell out for Acrobat, and just
need to create pdf files (with nothing fancy), check out pdf995, Primo
or PDFCreator. All are free/cheap programs for creating pdf files.

You do have a contract, right? If so, the client gets what's in the
contract, and anything else costs extra. If they want a layered PS file,
they'd better be paying for it.

If you are concerned about giving out layered Photoshop files, you
should be concerned about pdfs. Pdfs can be imported into many design
packages, complete with editable text and images.

But, if you want to give your client a pdf, but are worried about them
making changes to it (possibly with a cheaper designer), here's a dirty
little trick: import the pdf into Photoshop, rasterize it out at 300 or
so dpi, and resave it as a pdf file. Sure, it'll be a lot bigger, but
none of the text will be easily editable. And, the client can still
print it.

-Ed

--

****************************
Edward Wedig
Graphic Designer - Gamemaster - Nice Guy
www.docbrown.net
g-r-a-p-h-i-cd-e-s-i-g-n-e-r@docbrown.net (remove dashes to contact me)
****************************

"Melissa" <melliska@mac.com> wrote in message
news:1110354848.602192.269260@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
don't worry about him, he's just a grumpy bum.

--
Helen, lime, et al.

"Edward Wedig" <g-r-a-p-h-i-cd-e-s-i-g-n-e-r@docbrown.net> ha scritto nel
messaggio news:MPG.1c9910d799f269db989787@news.individual.de ...


Many years ago, on the regular basis, I used Acrobat Distiller to generate
pdf files from dtp documents*QuarkXpress and Adobe Pagemaker* . I don't
remember if there was some kind of protection feature for the pdf documents
created with the old version of the Adobe software.

Anyway, I noticed that the last version of Acrobat Reader supply the user
with many informations about document protection. If you want to see them,
go to the main menu > File > Document Properties > Protection.
If such kinds of limits and protections are listed in A.Reader interface, I
presume there is a way to set them for the pdf document you wish to
generate.

Just my thought :-)

--
Davide

In article <KyKXd.932$Le2.10204@nasal.pacific.net.au>, "lime"
<nuthin@here.com> wrote:

excuse me miss perfect.

her attitude to backing up work and sending copies of files on cd really
stinks. who'd want to deal with someone that replies with 'don't bother
me' to such simple tasks.

"woodsie"
The OP didn't come across like that to me. As Melissa wrote "Maybe I just
need to vent 'casue I don't want to be bothered ?" and her inital request
was quite reasonable "How long do you keep files from printed jobs? and who
is ultimately responsible for these."

The venting she mentions more than likely is caused because of "I have just
received the 3rd request for a back up copy of a job I did over a year ago."

She doesn't seem like she has an attitude to me, just someone who has a
request and a little vent.

Older versions produce files that can be toyed to carry viruses and malware
code and that can't be closed other than to save in a newer format.

HTH,

--
Pepe
Milano, Italy

The client is ultimately responsible for their files. This is what they
bought and paid for after all. I usually explain this a bit to clients prior
to signing.
I furnish one backup CD and my contract states that I will keep their files
on .. well er.. file, active for one year with a replacement/copy fee of $25
[+shipping]. After one year's time, if they need a copy it costs the client
a $35 [+ shipping] morgue fee for the first time with increments of $20 for
each additional request.
I also stipulate in my contract what formats for the file[s] will be
provided beforehand and any requests after the signed off agreement for
something other than what is stated gets a fee attached. Formats are
determined by the client's anticipated usages.
These formats _never_ include a layered PSD or native AI file.
hth and good luck
--Gem

"Melissa"

On 2005-03-08 17:40:59 -0800, "Melissa" <melliska@mac.com> said:

I keep everything. I have 200GB of past files on a server in my office
(an old mac with a couple of big HDs). Way faster to access old files
and it keeps my main work machines really slimmed down.

Once it's billed, it's archived.

I have had clients come to me 3-5 years later and want more work done
or their files. They're really impressed when you have 'em right there.

If the client wants CDs of the work after the fact, I charge them
hourly for my time to compile the CDs plus media costs. With a 1hr
minimum. It's their work. They paid for it to be created. (That's
how I work.) However, I don't include MY fonts or MY Stock Photos.

One HUGE word of advice.

BACKUP.

I made this mistake once. My server's drive died. It cost me $3000 to
get DriveSaver to rescue it. (the read head on the drive snapped off
and was rubing across the plates. I lost a bit of work too.)

I now have a big external that I use to do a server archive once a
month and take it home. I sleep at night, sometimes.

Quark can create 'em. And it works fairly well. No progress bar
though so you don't know how long it's going to take. And, sometimes
it crashes when doing larger PDFs. I tried to get it to do a 64pg full
color catalog. It chugged, gasped, .... and crashed. go figure.
Acrobat Distiller is a much more solid option for good PDFs, IMHO.

Doesn't quark mean crash in some language? maybe Designerese.

Hope this helps.

- dustin


--
--

Macdonald Design, Inc.
ph: 831-462-2383
fx: 831-462-5283
Web: www.macdonalddesign.com
Email: alt.design.graphics@macdonalddesign.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN * WEB DESIGN * MARKETING

"Creative Solutions for Today's Evolving Marketplace"

"Dustin Macdonald"

| > How long do you keep files from printed jobs? and who is ultimately
| > responsible for these.
|
| I keep everything. I have 200GB of past files on a server in my office
| (an old mac with a couple of big HDs). Way faster to access old files
| and it keeps my main work machines really slimmed down.

We have a studio in Texas and one in NC. It's SOP for files from one office
to be stored at the other. Back up exchange is done each night between mid
night and 5 am.

We have two dead storage archive sites as well, both in locations away from
either studio city.

Yes we're paranoid but are we paranoid enough? BTW before we started this
we were using an on line archive storage company. (but still maintained a
local back up). One day the storage company just disappeared.

On 2005-03-10 19:24:47 -0800, "Not Me" <me@privacy.net> said:

What asset management solution are you using? Or, if not using one, how
do you keep track of revisions?


Yes, you are paranoid enough.

Funny how that happens... or not... keep a look out for your work on
the internet somewhere.


--
--

Macdonald Design, Inc.
ph: 831-462-2383
fx: 831-462-5283
Web: www.macdonalddesign.com
Email: alt.design.graphics@macdonalddesign.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN * WEB DESIGN * MARKETING

"Creative Solutions for Today's Evolving Marketplace"

"Dustin Macdonald"
I really like the Rain or Shine logo. Very nice.

..... d0tty ....

On 2005-03-11 09:49:21 -0800, "Dotty Screen" <dottyscreen@polka.undies> said:

thanks. always nice to hear.

- dustin


--
--

Macdonald Design, Inc.
ph: 831-462-2383
fx: 831-462-5283
Web: www.macdonalddesign.com
Email: alt.design.graphics@macdonalddesign.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN * WEB DESIGN * MARKETING

"Creative Solutions for Today's Evolving Marketplace"