tutorial: protect your creative
As an artist, I have often been appalled at the cavalier way people treat images found on the internet. I have been asked by clients and colleagues numerous times to just “find an image we can use on the internet” as they prefer not to pay a photographer or find a stock photo. Their attitude is “who’s gong to know?” Me for one – as I refuse to do it.
It could easily be one of my images, or yours.
After finding out how widespread the use and abuse of Flickr images are, I have taken steps to minimise my risk. Not allowing all sizes to be viewed and watermarking my images. Some people subscribe to the “Creative Commons” philosophy, but as someone who has built a career around my ideas and my production or finishing work, I must confess to being a little selfish in that regard. I have mouths to feed.
you are sending editable proofs
Which brings me back to my point. Not only do you have to take precautions with your photography but also your creative. I know design firms who have found their portfolios on other people’s websites – out of country. I also know that when you send a digital proof to someone not only do they have a clear image of your creative but you also may be unwittingly sending them editable files, which may leave you out in the cold.
When I first started in this industry, proofs were presented to clients via marker rendings, faxes, laser prints. The idea of sending electronic files is relatively new. Did you know that if you create a PDF in InDesign, XPress or Illustrator you can also re-open that PDF in Illustrator, and it is fully editable? In other words, if a client wanted to, they could use and re-use your creative or production files without involving you. There goes your income!
protecting your PDFs
I have developed a habit of protecting my PDFs and I always know when someone is trying to “use” my creative as they complain their artist cannot open the file in anything but Reader (“to make some changes or tweaks” they say). The simple extra step I take is PDF SECURITY which can be implemented while creating your PDF or you can do it later through Acrobat Professional.
Here’s what I do:
When creating your PDF go to the “Security” tab as shown in the above Image. Click on the “Use password to restrict editing” radio button and enter a password (I use the same private password for all my creative so I don’t forget). Then Choose the following options:
- Printing Allowed: Low Resolution so no one decides to send your piece to final print.
- Changes Allowed: Commenting, filling in form fields, and signing. This allows your client to mark up the PDF but not to edit it or open it in anything but Reader or Acrobat.
- Enable text access of screen reader devices for the visually impaired. You never know who needs to proof it.
- Another good habit to get into would be to create low resolution versions of your images for layout during production and then subbing them for high resolution when you are ready to go to print. The added bonus is that it speeds up printing and saving time while you are tweaking the layout.
- Add a watermark of your logo in the background of your creative and slug everything with your company name, docket number, logo etc.
- Be clear with your client what your expectations are about your creative. Add this note to your slugs: Ownership of Conceptual work: All designs and or creative concepts remain the copyright and property of YOUR COMPANY NAME unless otherwise specified in writing.
- And of course you could also export your proof as a JPEG but that’s not as practical for mark-ups or multiple pages.
You will have to re-confirm your password when you go to save the PDF and you are done. You now have one NON-EDITABLE PDF proof.
Acrobat Professional
In Acrobat Professional you will find the same menu under FILE/PROPERTIES/SECURITY (see below).
other protections
david
