PDF Ground Controls Categories – File

Ground Controls categories for Portable Document Format files are in the PDF Ground Controls area in FlightCheck preflight software by Markzware.

Once a Set is chosen, all options for each category are marked and ready to test your PDF file.

FlightCheck PDF Ground Controls File

Each item or option can be ignored (unchecked/deselected).

FlightCheck PDF Ground Controls Category Deselected

or provide a warning (small box)

or indicate and error (larger box).

Note: Each Set will perform a series of tests or checks on the PDF files based upon the criteria chosen. Each selected option will be visually identify as present or show a color-coded error or warning within the Ground Control and reports.

FILE: APPLICATION
This reports the original or source application. The original application that created the PDF document will be identified. Knowing the original application can help troubleshoot a file that has any issues. Each application deals with color and layout differently.

File: Application – Producer is not Adobe Distiller
Adobe Distiller is a valid and efficient method of creating PDF files from PostScript files. This option can determine if another source application was used to create the PDF file.

File: Application – Producer Contains PDFWriter
PDFWriter can create a PDF that is suitable for business usage. PDFWriter does not produce a clean structured document for print/prepress.

FILE: DOCUMENT

File: Document – Not PDF
Any document not saved in PDF format (file formats such as .rtf, jpg .indd, etc ) will be indicated.

File: Document – PDF is Damaged
A few damaged PDFs can be fixed for further processing. Most damaged PDFs will need to be recreated.

File: Document – Version
The PDF version is important for compatibility with Adobe Acrobat and Reader. The version can indicate where transparency causes flattening (a process to break non-opaque objects into small regions). All of the pre-built Sets are made from versions of PDF/X so flattening must occur. The ranges will search between two versions to determine if the PDF falls within these parameters.

Note: PDF/X-4 will allow live transparency, but it is not used in the pre-built sets.
From – This indicates the starting point for PDF versions.
To - Indicates the end version of the PDF compatibility.

Ex. From 1 to Versions 1.3. In this case PDFs made before version 1.3 were not officially created for prepress use, therefore may not print accurately. In this case anything above version 1.3 is in the target zone.
Below
Above
This is a variation of From and To above. Version Below and above will pinpoint PDFs between a range of versions.

File: Document – Missing Creation Date
A PDF indicates when the PDF was first saved in the Document Properties. This will help in determining versions.

File: Document – Missing Modification Date
Once a PDF is initially saved it can be altered or modified with a new alteration date.

File: Document – Missing Title
Within the Document Properties a Title can be given to further describe the document.

File: Document – Missing Document ID
The Document ID is normally the same as the PDF file name. (Given at time of creation)

File: Document – Missing Trapping Information
To become PDF/X, a PDF needs to identify if trapping is set or not set within the file. A trap key (Do we need to define trapkey?) is embedded to indicate this answer (true or false) and must be present for this specification.

File: Document – Linearized
Large PDF files that will display on web can be processed so that the first page draws on the screen as additional pages cache in the background. (Also known as Optimizing for Web)

File: Document – Bookmarks
Document structures such as electronic table of contents or bookmarks are not needed for a print document.

File: Document – Article
Article threads used in PDF document give the reader a path to follow when reading articles that jump or extend to other pages . This structure is not needed for a print document.

File: Document – Separated
PDF files can be printed as composite (the normal view) where all colors are viewed simultaneously. Separated or pre-separated documents break the document into individual CMYK pages. Separated files do not lend themselves to trapping or easy editing.

File: Document – TrapNet FontFauxing
A font should be chosen by Font Name and then by that font’s particular style (such as Helvetica Bold). Software shortcuts often lead people to choose the Font and then select a generic Bold format with the application’s shortcut. When a font does not have the font-specific style, it is called Font Faux and may cause the font to print an incorrectly.

File: Document – Uses Rendering Intent
As you view a color on a monitor you see the colors described as one color model such as RGB. When you print your PDF, you may print to a CMYK color model. Since the first color model is larger than the second, a rendering intent to used to help the clipped (or out of range) colors adjust. Each color profile has a rendering intent to manage the colors.

File: Document – Contains Unknown Operators
In programming, software operators perform functions. An unknown operator would be a symbol that does not exist. It is helpful to locate these for troubleshooting
Contains features newer

File: Document – Than PDF
Each PDF version has added features. When creating PDF documents you want your file to be viewed by the majority of people. You can use this feature to determine if the file is backwards compatible.

File: Document – Uses Page Scaling
Documents can be scaled to fit a specific measurement. When chosen, this feature will indicate if the PDF file has been enlarged or reduced.

FILE: SECURITY
Having any security in a PDF file that is prepared for prepress is undesirable. A PDF file will indicate security password or set privileges. See Document Properties: Security tab for specific options. In most cases these settings should be errors. If the user cannot print the file due to security, the PDF needs to be resaved without Security controls.

File: Security – Password (encrypted)
To protect a PDF, a password is necessary to allow users to open the document.

File: Security – Security Privileges
A password can lock a PDF from being opened, In this case the user can have certain privileges with the document (such as printing, adding notes etc.) if the author has allowed.

File: Security – No Printing
A PDF document cannot be printed without the provided password once this is evoked.

File: Security – No Document Changes
Editing with the PDF Editing tools cannot be accomplished when this option is selected.

File: Security – No Content Copy of Extracted
The Selection tool can be used to highlight and copy text from the PDF to another document type (such as Word, InDesign, etc.) To keep others from reusing your copy, select this permission.

File: Security – No Comments or Form Field Changes
Comments and Form fields sit on top of the PDF. They should not be present for most print workflows.

FILE: CONFORMANCE
To comply or follow rules of a standard can be tricky. For instance, many PDF files, such as those created Microsoft Office, do not have all of the structure elements necessary to make the PDF conform to PDF/X. If your PDF indicates these missing components, they can be generated with Adobe Acrobat.

File: Conformance – Missing PDF/X Version Key
Each PDF/X is created with a standard, and the key describes the version of PDF/X. (such as PDF/X 1-a) The key can be set after the PDF has been made, but must be present.

File: Conformance – Missing PDF/X Conformance Key
Allowed PDF/X values must be set before opening the document. The PDF/X must have the key present and conform or comply with PDF/X specs.

File: Conformance – Invalid or Missing Output Intent
Each PDF should have an output path. An output intent must be set by using an ICC profile that falls within the standards of PDF/X.

File: Conformance – PDF/X Version Key is
Or
This setting ensures that the PDF/X version key remains at a specific version year. You can search between several PDF/X standards. The PDF/X Version Key embeds the main version in its name. (Ex. PDF/X-1a would look for PDF/X-1:2001)

File: Conformance – PDF/X Conformance Key
Or
The PDF/X conformance key remains at a specific version year. You can search between several PDF/X standards. The PDF/X looks at the main version in its name. (Ex PDF/X-1a cannot include file encryption)

File: Conformance – Trapping does not conform to PDF/X1a’s requirements
Most prepress providers prefer traps that are created by their own equipment. If you go to the trouble of setting and embedding traps within your PDF, they must meet the PDF/X trap test by referencing whether it has been trapped or not.