Am 24.08.24 um 03:16 schrieb Joel via ntg-context:

I’m nearing the final stages of preparing a file for printing, which will be used to produce a textbook at a professional printer. The printer can accept PDF files, and I’ve been generating them using the |context filename.tex| command as part of my regular workflow.

I’m wondering if this approach is producing the highest quality output for printing purposes. Is there anything additional I should consider, such as installing LuaTeX or running specific commands, or command-line switches, to ensure the best possible print quality?

For context, when I installed ConTeXt standalone, it didn't seem to include LuaTeX by default, though after I installed, it asked me to run context --luatex commands which didn't function, so I worry my install isn't giving the best-possible output.

The current version of ConTeXt, LMTX, uses LuaMetaTeX which is a greatly enhanced version of LuaTeX. You don’t need the older program for anything, if LuaMetaTeX works for you. PDFs generated by ConTeXt are usually as good as possible. Additional stuff you must consider for professional printing are – colors (better use CMYK; use images with proper ICC profiles) - bleed (if you have elements that touch the margin of the paper, they must go ~3mm over the margin) – crop marks (also make sense only if you have elements that go over the margin. – imposition (ConTeXt speak: arranging) only if your printer can’t do it Hraban