One of the main uses of Publisher is to take publications to commercial printing companies, and Publisher makes this super easy with the Pack and Go Wizard.

The Pack and Go Wizard creates a compressed file that contains everything that your commercial printer needs. For instance, the Pack and Go Wizard creates linked graphics and embeds fonts in your publication so that your printing service has access to the graphics and typefaces that are in your publication. In addition, the wizard lists any fonts that it can't embed and reports any problems with linked graphics.

When you use the Pack and Go Wizard to save your publication as a compressed file, the wizard does the following:

  • Runs the Design Checker to detect any problems and helps you correct them.
  • Updates the links to linked graphics.
  • Includes the linked graphics files in the packed publication.
  • Embeds TrueType fonts in your publication.
  • Creates a list of any fonts that the wizard can't embed.
  • Creates a report of any problems with linked graphics.
  • Gives you the option to print a composite proof.

You just create the compressed file on a CD or a USB flash drive and take it to your printer to have your publication printed with professional results you can't get at home unless you have a 4-color printing press with commercial ink and paper!

For more information on commercial printing and the Pack and Go Wizard check out the following Help articles:

Publisher 2003 - Prepare a publication for commercial printing

Publisher 2007 - Take your Publisher file to a commercial printer

Publisher 2010 - Save and send Publications

And some general resources:

-- Bob deLaubenfels