You have created a brochure, catalog, newsletter, or other business publication using Microsoft® Publisher 2002, but maybe you aren't sure if you should print the document yourself, use a local copy shop, or have it printed by a commercial printing service. The Pack and Go Wizard in Publisher 2002 makes it easy for you to prepare your work for reproduction by a commercial printer.

You might be thinking that commercial printing is too expensive for you, but there are factors that can make commercial printing your best solution. The following table provides information to help you select an appropriate printing method:

Printing your publication at a commercial printing service can cost the same as it does at a copy shop, depending on the size and special work you need. Before ordering a large print run, check with your commercial printing service and copy shop to see which option is less expensive. If you decide commercial printing is the right choice, you'll want to use the Pack and Go Wizard in Publisher.

Save time and money with Pack and Go Wizard

To package your publication for printing, the Pack and Go Wizard is extremely easy to use, and it will greatly simplify the process of preparing your files for commercial printing.

To use the Pack and Go Wizard

1. On the File menu, point to Pack and Go, and then click Take to a Commercial Printing Service....
2. When the Pack and Go Wizard opens, click Next.
3. Do one of the following:
   • If you want to save your publication to disk, click A:\, and then click Next.
   • If you want to save to your computer (for example, to create a CD of your publication) or a Network Place, click Browse, and then click Next.
4. Select Embed TrueType fonts, Include linked graphics, and Create links for embedded graphics, and then click Next.

   Note  The wizard asks you to decide if you want to embed your TrueType® fonts, include your linked graphics, and create links for embedded graphics. Unless your printing service has told you otherwise, accept the default settings. Embedding and linking ensures that your printing service has access to the graphics and typefaces you want to use in your publication.

5. Click Finish.

   The packed files are copied to the directory or location you've selected and the file Unpack.exe is also created. Use the file Unpack.exe to unpack your files.

6. The final action of the wizard is to offer you the option to print a composite and/or create color separations for the printing service. Click Print a composite and/or Print separations, if requested by the printer.
7. Click OK.

   Your document is now packaged and ready for delivery to the commercial printer.

The wizard will also list any fonts that it can't embed and will report any problems with linked graphics. If problems arise, you should correct them and run the Pack and Go Wizard again. This will avoid delays and save you the additional expense of having the printing service fix your publication.

If you make changes to your publication after packing your files, be sure to run the Pack and Go Wizard again, so that the changes are part of your packed publication.

More information

For more information about using the Pack and Go Wizard in Publisher 2002, see Microsoft Publisher Help.