Sharpening in the PDF to Book Workflow

The 3-step sharpening method seems to be the best way to achieve sharp results in print. i.e., capture sharpen, creative sharpen then output sharpen. However I am struggling to formulate a PDF to Book workflow which allows this.

The 3-step sharpening method dictates that I should work with images in InDesign which have not yet had had any output sharpening applied. The optimal sharpened print is better achieved by sharpening a final spread, when you know the paper type and size.

If I generate a multi-page PDF from InDesign, how am I able to output-sharpen this? For other album companies, I import the PDF into Photoshop, sharpen each spread and save to individual jpgs, and upload these to the print companies. But how do I re-create a multi-page PDF file for uploading to Blurb? As far as I know, Photoshop cannot process entire multi-page PDF files and save as such (only as individual files).

The support offered by the Blurb tech team was:

“This workflow is incorrect, as the images should be worked up in Photoshop first, saved to a new folder, and then placed to the templates we offer for InDesign. Plus, Photoshop can’t export a PDF in the format we need.”

So: is it true that no-one at Blurb in output sharpening in the optimal way?

I’d be interested to hear any thoughts on this…

Steve

Steve — Output Sharpening, as you mentioned, is a separate step from Capture, Content & Creative Sharpening as per Real World – B Fraser’s books (& Jeff S) — all of this sharpening is Image-specific, that is applied directly to each Image, typically in Photoshop (not thru InDesign) — there’s no need to sharpen Vector Objects — we know the final paper type & Image size when working out the job specs; ie; 8×10 Portrait, Uncoated Paper, Image Rez @ 245ppi, Blurb-Indigo Line Screen at 175 lpi (note that the Blurb PDF/X-3 Job Options limits Color & Grayscale Images to 300 ppi, which is less than the typical 2x lpi formula) — the Blurb PDF-to-Bk workflow incorporates press ready PDF/X-3 file delivery & not what you may be use to with other (RGB-Delivery) workflows — optimal Output Sharpening has a formula as per the Real World books, or Pixel Genius or Nik SharpenerPro — or we can use any of the various methods in Photoshop — FYI — with CMYK-delivery, the K Channel offers a sharpening option , K-Channel & optionally the weak Channel) tht is not fully available with Composite Channel routines — hope this helps — Glenn Las Vegas