3

I have no previous knowledge in graphics at all. I decided to re-create our company logo using adobe illustrator since that's what everyone said would be best. I would use this logo on Microsoft Office and Word Perfect Documents that I would later print to Adobe PDF. I have messed around with several options but haven't figured out the right combo - mainly because I don't understand it all. I want to export my file to several different sizes and formats. PNG, JPEG.. will be used for web as well... I cant seem to smooth the edges of the text when the word (and word perfect) file is printed to PDF. It looks jagged and the left edge is cut off. What am I doing wrong?! JPEG File:enter image description here

Prints to PDF from Word like this: Test Logo w Word

Improve this question
3
  • How did you make the .pdf? How did you bring the file into word? What are all of the settings? Its kinda hard for us to help without knowing all of the information.
    – Ryan
    Sep 3, 2014 at 20:53
  • I literally typed the words in illustrator to make a new logo. I have changed the settings around so much I don't even know anymore. I am learning the difference between vector and raster images now and I think this is where my problem is. Here is the original .ai image... dropbox.com/s/8e45rsc4v6ceyie/Stone%20LogoCAG%20Shadow.ai?dl=0 which I exported to a .png and also to a .jpg... i slapped the both the jpg and png on word docs and printed them to PDF. They both equally look terrible.
    – C Gonzalez
    Sep 3, 2014 at 21:09
  • I saved this sucker as a JPG, PNG, DWG, Save for word, Save for web, I changed the 'document raster effect settings' down to 50 (from 71), checked anti-aliasing... I guess its looking a little better but still isn't perfect. My usual habit is to -print- my word docs to Adobe PDF but tried -save as- PDF which looks significantly better. There has got to be something with my save/export settings that is making it look terrible.
    – C Gonzalez
    Sep 5, 2014 at 19:53

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
3
  • Open file in Illustrator
  • Choose File > Export
  • Select PNG from the format drop down
  • Click OK
  • Choose High (300ppi) from the Resolution drop down
  • Choose Type Optimized (Hinted) from the Anti-Aliasing drop down
  • Choose Transparent from the Background drop down
  • Click OK
  • Launch Word
  • Open Word document
  • Choose Insert > Photo > Picture from File...
  • Select the PNG you just exported
  • Choose File > Save As...
  • Choose PDF from the Format drop down
  • Click OK

Seems to work fine for me.

Microsoft products actually prefer png over jpg when possible.

Improve this answer
4
  • depends on what you optimize for I would just embed a pdf or eps file
    – joojaa
    Sep 4, 2014 at 6:01
  • @joojaa PDF and EPS files can be very problematic, especially if the .doc file goes to a different machine. Yes they are technically supported. But the support is not exceptionally stable. In addition, you may need a postscript level 3 printer to properly support printing the embedded PDF/EPS image. PNG24 is honestly the most versatile, best supported, format for multiple users and multiple machines.
    – Scott
    Sep 4, 2014 at 6:04
  • Also note the "Save for Microsoft Office" menu item in Illustrator... which generates a PNG24. :)
    – Scott
    Sep 4, 2014 at 6:13
  • Yes I know but when generating pdf from word this creates a better file. Even having a 300 dpi image in word is dangerous as it dowsanples the thing. But depends on what you optimize PNG optimizes ease of use, not quality...
    – joojaa
    Sep 4, 2014 at 6:20
2

Just adding my experience here in case it helps someone else, I know this issues is discussed all over the place as it is a common complaint/problem with Word.

I've never had luck with using either JPG or PNG in Word if my goal is crisp logo art in a PDF. Best way seems to be to use an EPS, and turn it into a PDF using something other than Word's save as PDF.

Here is an example of the same file printed to PDF using Bluebeam Revu PDF printer. Left is EPS, middle is a 100 quality, 300 dpi JPG, right is a 300 dpi transparent PNG. Word does not seem to care what resolution you export it from Illustrator as.

enter image description here

As other people have said though, Word's handling of EPS can be dodgy. If you use the built in Save As > PDF capability in Word, you'll end up with a disaster:

enter image description here

Also, if you just print straight from Word (rather than "printing" to a PDF and then printing that), then you're at the mercy of the printer and driver. We have some Xerox printers that will print the embedded EPS happily with the right colors (or close enough, we're not a print shop), but our Canon MFP prints the red color practically black.

I wish I knew more about how Word really handles different graphics formats though. With more and more businesses transmitting paperwork electronically, you really want your PDFs to look sharp and that's difficult to get out of Word easily.

Improve this answer
1
  • Welcome to GD.SE! Great contribution, thank you for including images and explaining your answer clearly. If you have any questions about the site check out the help center or feel free to ping one of us in Graphic Design Chat once your reputation reaches 20.
    – Vicki
    Jan 6, 2016 at 20:15
1

I suggest open the EPS file in Photoshop (anti-aliased, 300 ppi) then save as JPG at minimum compression.

This gave me the best results in comparison with the use of files in Word created by various methods of exporting from Illustrator.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.