Please see the instructions below for printing a PostScript file from Adobe InDesign, then distilling it into a PDF using Adobe Distiller. This is our recommended method.

It is also possible to export PDFs directly from Adobe InDesign. Your success may vary.

Step 1: Edit Menu | Color Settings

• Turn off "Emulate Adobe InDesign 2.0"

Step 2: Print Menu | Print | General

• Choose Printer "PostScript File"
• Choose PPD "Adobe PDF"

Step 3: Print Menu | Print | Setup

• Paper Size
  • Choose Paper Size "Custom"
  • Set width and height to 1 inch larger than your trim size to allow for bleeds and printer's marks.
  • Set Offset to 0
  • Set Gap to 0
• Options
  • Set Scale to 100%
  • Select Page Position "Centered"

Step 4: Print Menu | Print | Marks and Bleeds

• Marks
  • Checkmark "Crop Marks", "Bleed Marks" and "Page Information"
  • Select Weight ".25 pt"
  • Set Offset to ".1667 in"
• Bleeds
  • Set all sides to ".5 in"
  • Do not checkmark "Include Slug Area"

Step 5: Print Menu | Print | Output

• Choose Color "Composite CMYK"

Step 6: Print Menu | Print | Graphics

• Images
  • Choose Send Data "All"
• Fonts
  • Choose Download "Complete"
  • Checkmark "Download PPD Fonts"
• Postscript: Choose "Level 3"
• Data Format: Choose "Binary"

Step 7: Print Menu | Print | Color Management

• Print
  • If available, choose option "Document (Profile: N/A)"
• Options
  • If available, choose Color Handling "Let InDesign Determine Colors"

Step 8: Print Menu | Print | Advanced

• OPI
  • Uncheck all options in the OPI section.
• Transparency Flattener
  • Choose preset "High Resolution"
  • Uncheck "Ignore Spread Overrides

Step 9: Print Menu | Print | Save Preset

• Save Preset as "Fine Line Offset"

Step 10: Print the PostScript File to Disk

• Print the PostScript file to disk using Preset "Fine Line Offset"

Step 11: Convert the PostScript to a PDF using Acrobat Distiller

• Lauch Acrobat Distiller
• Select Default option "PDF/X-3:2002". It is very important to choose this default!
• Open and distill your PostScript file:
  • From File Menu, select "Open"
  • Browse for your PostScript ( ".ps" ) file
  • Acrobat will immediately begin generating a PDF with the same filename, and a .PDF extension.

Note: if your document is all spot colors, change the Standards setting in Distiller NOT to enforce compliance. To do this:

• In Distiller, choose "Settings | Edit Adobe PDF Settings"
• Click the "Standards" folder
• Select Compliance Standard "None"
• Save settings as "Offset-Spot.joboptions"

How did you do? Preflight your file before submitting!

If you have Acrobat 7 Professional, you can automatically preflight check your file before submitting it to us. It's easy and it's fun. Click the link below to learn more:

• Preflighting PDFs Automatically