InDesign PDF goes to printer in two days!

[designknerr]

I am new to this profession and am doing a simple 4 color process bookcover that will be sent to the printer as a PDF to be printed on their Xerox Laser Printer.

Most of the cover is solid color, with some object frames containing art and text. My text is not black, but close to it, and there is no white whatsoever on the cover.

1) Because this is a high end laser printer doing the printing, how important is trapping?

2) Also, the main title text was done with a 'text drop shadow' made with InDesign, should I do anything with the transparancy flattener presets? Maybe just set it to high resolution?

3) Lastly, I used several fonts and 'place'ed several graphics on the cover. I know if I were saving the file as a .INDD that I would package all the fonts and images, to send with the file to the printer. BUT the printer has asked for the PDF (they do not have the version of InDesign that I have abd dont want to risk anything), does saving it in PDF automatically embed the fonts and images, or do I still need to create a package folder to send with my PDF?

[Cone Graff]

Trapping is in my experience unimportant when it comes to laser printing.

I would however check with the printer, just in case

When saving to PDF, there should be an option to embed fonts. at least there is in Quark, so i recogn InDesign has the same feature

[designknerr]

Thank you friend.
I have a feeling that because it is a laser printer too, I need not worry about the drop shadow, either.
Working with a laser printer for my first professional design job is spoiling me a bit too much. I'll be in for a tough time when I work with a good old fashioned printing press.

[Cone Graff]

Most definitely :)


Well basic offset, pretty much everything is possible.
It is much more difficult when you get to rotation, silk screen and especially flexo :(

[Dre]

designknerr did I already ask you what part of Orange County you are from?