Checking TAC (total area coverage) on images and final PDF files is a vital part of your final file preparation. InDesign users have long had an easy way to check TAC in their layout. Now Adobe has added new functionality to Acrobat Professional that makes it easier for QuarkXPress users to analyze problems with ink coverage in their PDF files.

 

TAC refers to the amount of ink in a given area on a printed page. For CMYK pages, it is calculated by adding the percentages of C, M, Y, and K, values and is measured on a scale of 0-400. TAC over the recommended limit for a given paper stock (typically between 260 and 310) can lead to problems with ink saturation, such as streaking and blistering; or problems with your paper, such as buckling and fluting.

InDesign users can check TAC with the Separations Preview tool, which is available within the InDesign application. For Quark users, a new feature in Acrobat Pro 9 now enables you to check TAC when you are using Acrobat’s ‘preflight’ function. Here at Lane Press, we have developed a preflight profile that, when used in Acrobat 9, will perform this check. Our profile uses a TAC threshold of 300, which is appropriate for most coated paper stocks. Keep in mind, though, we can customize the threshold to the needs of customers who print on uncoated and recycled paper products.

The procedure we recommend for checking multiple PDF pages or PDF ad files in Acrobat 9 is to save a number of files in a folder and make a 'PDF book' using Acrobat Pro (File > Create PDF > From Multiple Files). Then, run 'Preflight' on the book file. Any TAC-related errors that show up in the preflight report can be investigated further using the TAC function in Acrobat's Output Preview (located under Advanced > Print Production > Output Preview). For more information on how to address TAC-related errors, see Fixing TAC Problems.

 

For our Acrobat Pro 9 Preflight Profile, please contact your Customer Service Representative or go to lanepress.com > Customer Service > Private Access (requires customer login) > Utilities > Preflight Profiles. See "Acrobat 9.x (Download)".