i created a multiple page pdf in cs6 using file automate but the file was too large to email. i flattened all the files (10 in all) and resent. the receiver says the file looks grainy although it did go through. i am trying to create a 10 page product catalog to email to customers. i am fairly new to photoshop and would really appreciate any suggestion. thanks!
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emailing multiple page pdf
- Thread starter marshgirl
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Tom Mann
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a) There is a difference between "grainy" and the pixel dimensions of each image within your pdf file. "Grainy" is like noise or film grain. It is not the same as pixellated (ie, seeing each and every little pixel, seeing stair-steps instead of straight lines, etc.). When someone describes an image as "grainy", I think of lighting, photography and post-processing problems. Problems that produce a grainy image have essentially no effect on file size.
In contrast, sending images whose pixel dimensions are larger than needed is almost always what causes problems such as you are experiencing.
You should reduce the pixel dimensions of all of your images in the package to the minimum size needed for your particular catalog. For example, one can almost always get away with images no larger than 600 pixels in the longest dimension for catalog photos up to 3 inches on a side. If your images are bigger than this for small photos, you are just wasting space and causing yourself problems.
b) If you have a lot of half, full and double page spreads, you are stuck with large pixel dimensions and hence large files. In this case, I would suggest you use the feature of many ZIP'ing programs to break down large files into smaller chunks (of specified max size) so that they can be emailed.
HTH,
Tom M
In contrast, sending images whose pixel dimensions are larger than needed is almost always what causes problems such as you are experiencing.
You should reduce the pixel dimensions of all of your images in the package to the minimum size needed for your particular catalog. For example, one can almost always get away with images no larger than 600 pixels in the longest dimension for catalog photos up to 3 inches on a side. If your images are bigger than this for small photos, you are just wasting space and causing yourself problems.
b) If you have a lot of half, full and double page spreads, you are stuck with large pixel dimensions and hence large files. In this case, I would suggest you use the feature of many ZIP'ing programs to break down large files into smaller chunks (of specified max size) so that they can be emailed.
HTH,
Tom M
Tom Mann
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Ahh. Thanks for supplying that info.
You can save a bit of space by sending JPGs instead of PSDs (... if that's allowed), but even that would likely still be around 4 or 5 megs per file and probably still not small enough to fit 10 of them within the limits of most email systems.
You've got two, possibly three choices:
1) Zip it into sections as I described previously. You aren't using the zipping for its usual purposes to reduce the size, but to facilitate the separation and re-assembly of the separate chunks.
2) Use one of the on-line services that allow you to send large large files. I think Dropbox.com has a limit of around 300+ megs per send; yousendit.com I think is around 2 or 3 Gigs per send. There are others.
3) Many companies that regularly send and receive big files maintain either FTP or sFTP sites specifically for this purpose. I would be surprised if the publisher / printer of your catalog does not have such a facility. It's worth your while to ask.
HTH,
Tom M
PS - BTW, just how big was the file you attempted to send?
You can save a bit of space by sending JPGs instead of PSDs (... if that's allowed), but even that would likely still be around 4 or 5 megs per file and probably still not small enough to fit 10 of them within the limits of most email systems.
You've got two, possibly three choices:
1) Zip it into sections as I described previously. You aren't using the zipping for its usual purposes to reduce the size, but to facilitate the separation and re-assembly of the separate chunks.
2) Use one of the on-line services that allow you to send large large files. I think Dropbox.com has a limit of around 300+ megs per send; yousendit.com I think is around 2 or 3 Gigs per send. There are others.
3) Many companies that regularly send and receive big files maintain either FTP or sFTP sites specifically for this purpose. I would be surprised if the publisher / printer of your catalog does not have such a facility. It's worth your while to ask.
HTH,
Tom M
PS - BTW, just how big was the file you attempted to send?
First off, thank you so much for all the suggestions!!! my first unflattened file was 59.9 mb and the second flattened file was 9.70mb. The second attempt the receiver said the file was "grainy" when opened as an email attachment but has now emailed back and said once the file was downloaded it was very clear. What is the maximum size an email attachment can be?