Generating Print-Ready PDFs from Adobe InDesign CS & CS2
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. For instructions on direct-export, click
here.
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
- 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: