How do I tell a client I cannot print (on a press) a brochure created in Word?

Question

I have a client who created a brochure in Word that he wants me to run on a printing press. I've told him this cannot be done. He refuses to give me the images and let me place in Illustrator. I think his images are from a website. Please help me with a 'letter' that I can send to him that explains why I cannot print a Word file, that the images need to be CMYK, not RGB, that the file does not bleed so there will be a white border on the piece and that the quality of images will be very poor due to the low resolution. Clearly, to quote Jackie Chan, he "doesn't understand the words that are coming out of my mouth."

Answer 1

just read the information on this site, and he'll get the point!

http://reducedprinting.com/printing101.h...

Answer 2

I deal with this on a daily basis and here is what I can suggest.  If he WANTS his artwork to be produced, run it.  Convert to PDF and run it w.o bleeds, at 72dpi - the color mode will be the least of the problems and you can convert in PDF.  Have him sign a release stating that his art is c**p and he understands.  

If he doesn't like the idea of paying a lot of money for something that is going to be poorqualityy explain that you need 300dpi min stock images and charge him for graphic design,re-setup the document - send to press.  

Don't argue with him - just give him the choice.  "I can print this and its going to look unprofessional and your folds probably wont line up or you give me the stock images at high res and we will redo your art for a fee and send it out right."

Don't take away his choice to print his art.

Answer 3

just don;t waste anymore time tell him the files are not in a compatible format for you and you can't do the work - come in and get your originals