How to Fix a Font-Related PDF Generation (Printing) Problem
© Ugur Akinci Sometimes you will not be able to generate a PDF copy of a MS Word or Adobe FrameMaker technical document because of a font problem. More specifically, your PDF will not be generated because you have the “Rely on systems fonts only” setting turned on in your printer preferences. This will create…
Read MoreHow to Select A-Series Paper Sizes in Inches
Paper sizes can be confusing at times. FrameMaker, for example, offers a wealth of paper sizes in the Print Setup dialog box. Most of them are spelled out clearly. But the dimensions of some others are not as clear. What size is A3, for example? Or what are the exact dimensions of A5 or A6?…
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How to Select U.S. and European (Metric) Standard Paper Sizes
Standard Paper Sizes If you end up printing your technical documents please be aware that there are no “standard” paper sizes across the globe. For example, the ISO 216 standard defines the paper sizes for U.S. and European (metric) standards. These are also called A series paper sizes. It is important to know that the…
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How to Write a Printer Spec Sheet
Introduction Most technical publications these days end up posted online or shared in PDF format through email or a product CD. However, there are still documents sent to the printer for good old-fashioned hard-copy printing. Or someone in your organization can decide to print a document that has been distributed only online in the past.…
Read MoreImportance of Book Covers
A unique blog post on a topic that is usually ignored by most self-publishers… (Excerpts) There are two key things you can NOT skimp on when you are self-publishing. One is an editor. No matter how careful a writer you are, you have to have an editor. Period. The second, of course, is the cover.…
Read MoreTechnical Writing – 7 Time-Tested Principles to Design a Cover For a Technical Document
© Ugur Akinci If you are a technical writer working for a company as a payroll employee, you might be working with corporate design guidelines that define what you can and cannot do to design the cover of your technical document. But what if you are a “lone writer,” an independent contractor working out of…
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