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PDF/X Files and Adobe® Creative Suite® 3

About this paper

Written for creative pros, production staff, IT professionals, prepress and print staff, this paper covers how to create valid PDF/X files for high-end printing. You can download the PDF version of this file, PDF/X Files and Adobe® Creative Suite® 3. For details on how to use features discussed in this guide, see Acrobat 8.0 Professional Help.

Introduction

Adobe® Creative Suite® 3 Premium, including Adobe Acrobat® 8.0 Professional, gives you the tools you need to create and verify PDF/X-compliant files. Here’s how you’ll benefit by using PDF/X in your print production workflow:

  • The standard is based on high-end printing requirements used worldwide.
  • The standard ensures that the file is print-ready.
  • PDF/X files created using a PDF/X setting (job option) yield valid PDF/X files.
  • Adobe Creative Suite 3 components—Adobe InDesign®, Adobe Illustrator® CS3, and Adobe Photoshop® CS3—directly export or save valid PDF/X files.
  • Adobe Acrobat 8.0 Professional can preflight a PDF, correct common errors using built-in fixups, validate against the chosen PDF/X standard, and convert the PDF to a PDF/X file. Preflighting a PDF file in Acrobat is a good practice, especially if you’ve received the file from another, such as a client or colleague, and don’t know how the file was created.

Talk with your publisher or print provider to determine whether the PDF/X format is appropriate for your project. Many workflows, particularly in the printing, publishing, and advertising industries, are well-suited for the PDF/X standard. When in doubt which PDF format to supply, ask your printer for a custom preset or recommendations to follow; and, if your printer can accept files with live transparency, choose PDF/X-4, the latest variant of the PDF/X standard.

Requirements

To follow along with this article, you will need the following software:

Adobe® Acrobat® 8 Professional

The PDF/X standard

The PDF/X standard responds to the challenge of ensuring that graphic arts files are written in a way that will reproduce on press exactly as the files’ creators intended. This simple sounding, yet daunting goal requires successful “blind” communication between two or more production tasks across a plethora of platforms, operating systems, software applications, color spaces, font types, file formats, and media. (Blind communication or exchange means that the file is thoroughly validated, so that a provider can “blindly” accept it.) Over many years, several industry organizations have developed the PDF/X standard—actually a set of standards—to meet this goal.

A subset of the Adobe PDF specification, PDF/X is designed for the blind exchange of final print-ready pages, and is one of the most predictable ways to deliver files bound for press. PDF/X-1a and PDF/X-3 are the most popular PDF/X formats; PDF/X-4 is a new standard, ratified as a CGATS (Committee for Graphic Arts Technologies Standards) and ISO standard in 2007. Adobe Creative Suite 3 supports all these PDF/X standard formats.

Using PDF/X-compliant files eliminates the most common errors in file preparation: fonts that aren’t embedded, incorrect color spaces, missing images, and overprinting and trapping issues. These issues don’t arise with PDF/X files because, by definition, these standards require that all fonts be embedded, appropriate PDF bounding boxes be specified, and color be correctly and consistently defined. PDF/X-compliant files also must describe the printing condition for which they are prepared.

If you send PDF/X-compliant files, you won’t have to worry about being asked to supply missing fonts or images. Nor will you have to be concerned about a service provider converting an image from RGB to CMYK without your seeing the results. And, the printer will know if the file was prepared properly for high-quality print output.

Many creative professionals prefer to prepare all the PDF files they will submit for printing in the PDF/X format, even when the print provider does not specifically require it. The PDF/X format is an efficient way to ensure that a file is validated against industry standards for high-end printing and is print ready.

Choosing a PDF/X file format

PDF/X has three variants, PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, and PDF/X-4; in some cases, a specific variant has different versions. Each variant has an arena of use, depending on the kinds of files you work with and the workflow you require; all variants share the PDF/X advantage of consistently describing a “reliable PDF file for print.” But as with any printing options, you lose some flexibility when you gain greater control.

When deciding which PDF/X variant to use, in general:

  • Choose PDF/X-1a when CMYK files are required; you’re sending digital ads to be reproduced on a press characterized to a printing standard such as SWOP (Specifications for Web Offset Publications) or SNAP (Specifications for Non-heat Advertising Printing); or when you want to maintain absolute control over a file’s content and color appearance.
  • Choose PDF/X-3 if your workflow requires transferring data in CIELab or RGB color spaces, with conversion to CMYK occurring later. Use PDF/X-3 for complete files that you will send to digital presses or other color-managed environments, or for some digital ads, where you expect the printer to optimize color reproduction for the specific printing environment.
  • Choose PDF/X-4 for printing artwork with live transparency and layers. Expected to be ratified as a standard in 2007, PDF/X-4 supports transparent artwork and effects, as well as layers. Print workflow systems based on the Adobe PDF Print Engine can process PDF/X-4 jobs natively, without flattening artwork or converting the file to PostScript.

Note: CS3 and Acrobat 8 users can take advantage of print workflow systems and RIPs powered by the Adobe PDF Print Engine. This technology allows PDF documents and jobs to remain unconverted and independent of printing devices throughout a print workflow. The technology, for example, eliminates the need to flatten transparent artwork and effects to ensure accurate and consistent reproduction of complex artwork, in all stages of the production process—print preview, proof, and print. For the first time, prepress and print production tasks now can be done using the same technology in Adobe applications—such as PDF rendering libraries and color management systems. Products based on the Adobe PDF Print Engine are available through Adobe print OEM partners. For more information on the Adobe PDF Print Engine, visit www.adobe.com/products/pdfprintengine/.

Table 1: PDF/X file formats available in Adobe Creative Suite 3 components

 

PDF/X format Contents Use Standard Compatibility Transparency support on output
PDF/X-1a CMYK colors, named spot colors. (No RGB or device-independent (color-managed) data.) Blind exchange of documents; streamlined and validated for use in high-end press workflows. PDF/X-1a:2001 Acrobat 4.0/PDF 1.3 Transparency must be flattened
PDF/X-1a:2003 Acrobat 5.0/PDF 1.4
PDF/X-3
(All PDF/X-1a files meet the requirements for PDF/X-3 files.)
CMYK, spot, calibrated RGB and Lab colors, ICC-based color. ICC color-managed workflows. ICC color profiles are included in PDF/X file. Allows RGB images that include enough information to be treated as device-independent. PDF/X-3:2002 Acrobat 4.0/PDF 1.3 Transparency must be flattened
PDF/X-3:2003 Acrobat 5.0/PDF 1.4
PDF/X-4 CMYK, spot, calibrated RGB and Lab colors, and ICC. Can contain live (unflattened) transparency and layers. Color-managed workflows and workflows using Adobe PDF Print Engine. Transparency in artwork stays live. PDF/X-4:2007 Acrobat 7.0/PDF 1.6 Live transparency and layers supported

About PDF/X file contents

PDF/X files require certain contents, prohibit others, and leave some open. It’s helpful to know what’s allowed and prohibited in PDF/X files before creating, preflighting, and correcting them; and when customizing any settings. See Best practices for creating valid PDF/X files for additional guidelines on contents.

Here’s what must be included in a PDF/X file:

  • Fonts and images embedded.
  • Page geometry (the trim box and bleed box) defined.
  • Intended printing condition (output intent).
  • Trapping key (Yes = True, No = False) defined.
  • Title, creator, producer, creation, and modification dates.

Here’s what’s prohibited in PDF/X files:

  • Live transparency, except in PDF/X-4 files.
  • Layers, except in PDF/X-4 files.
  • Encryption (security).
  • Form fields.
  • Interactive elements including movies, sounds, buttons, and hyperlinks.
  • Annotations within the bleed box.
  • Preseparated PDFs.
  • Transfer functions.
  • Actions and JavaScripts.
  • Embedded PostScript®.

PDF/X files do not set a minimum image resolution nor limit the plates used.

About the PDF/X standard and transparency

Originally released in 2000, PDF/X standards continue to evolve, mainly with the wide adoption of newer versions of the PDF specification. Here is the evolution of these standards and how they handle transparency in files:

  • The PDF/X-1a:2001 and PDF/X-3:2002 standards are based on PDF 1.3 (Acrobat 4.0). Creating a PDF 1.3 file—such as from InDesign CS3, Illustrator CS3, or Photoshop CS3—flattens transparency.
  • The 2003 versions of the PDF/X standard (PDF/X-1a:2003 and PDF/X-3:2003) are based on PDF 1.4 (Acrobat 5.0), but can also accommodate PDF 1.3 files. This standard does not support transparency. You can still use transparency in your design, but you must flatten the transparency before creating a PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-3 file.
  • The PDF/X-4:2007 format saves PDF 1.6 or later files. This format preserves transparency (does not flatten it) and layers.

In general, it is best to leave transparency live in artwork, until the end of the workflow. If flattening is necessary, a print provider can use the appropriate flattening resolution at print time. Discuss these PDF/X file formats with your print provider or the publisher you will send files to, and use the format and settings recommended.

PDF 1.4 and later files support live transparency, but until the PDF/X-4:2007 standard, PDF/X files did not. Thus, you can save a PDF 1.4 file from InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop, and any transparency remains live; but the resulting PDF 1.4 file is not a valid PDF/X file. For this reason, CS3 components create PDF/X files in PDF 1.3 format, as valid PDF/X files, with properly flattened transparency.

CS3 and Acrobat 8 support all PDF/X formats (PDF/X-1a:2001, PDF/X-3:2002, PDF/X-a1:2003, PDF/X-3:2003, and PDF/X-4:2007). CS3 components create PDF/X-1a:2001, PDF/X-3:2002, and PDF/X-4:2007 versions by default.

Creating PDF/X files

You can create PDF/X files in Adobe CS3 applications and Acrobat 8 Professional four ways, by:

Before creating a PDF/X-compliant file, prepare the original document to ensure that it conforms as closely as possible to the requirements of the PDF/X format and any other publisher or printer requirements. (See Best practices for creating valid PDF/X files.) Ask your print provider or publisher which PDF preset to use when creating the PDF/X file; your print provider or publisher may provide you with custom PDF presets.

Once the file is created, you can use the preflight and preview features in InDesign, Illustrator, or Acrobat to help you verify that the file is ready for printing. In InDesign or Acrobat, you can check the status of fonts, images, and inks in a document. Additionally, you can preview color separations, transparency flattener effects, and overprinting on-screen.

Even if the original document did not meet all the requirements of the PDF/X format, a CS3 component usually can make conversions or corrections for you as it creates the PDF/X file, to produce a PDF/X-compliant file. For example, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat can convert RGB colors to the CMYK color space, define boundary boxes, and assign an output intent. Acrobat Distiller 8.0 can convert colors, check image resolution, and make other corrections for you as it creates a PDF/X file.

Once the file is in PDF/X format, don’t encrypt it or use security or passwords. The PDF/X standard does not allow security.

Using PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, and PDF/X-4 presets

So that you can create PDF files consistently, Adobe Creative Suite 3 components—InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Distiller 8.0—share PDF presets (called PDF settings files in Distiller), with all the settings used to create a PDF file. These include default PDF/X presets for creating PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, and PDF/X-4 files; use them as they are, or as a basis for custom PDF/X presets for your workflow.

Note: Distiller processes PDF files using PostScript, which does not support live transparency or layers. Thus, Distiller cannot create PDF/X-4 files, which maintain live transparency and layers. As an alternative to Distiller, you can use the Acrobat 8.0 Preflight feature to convert a PDF file to PDF/X-4.

Adobe Creative Suite 3 installs presets for the PDF/X-1a:2001, PDF/X-3:2002, and PDF/X-4:2007 standards so that you can create valid PDF/X files from InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop. Presets and standards for the 2003 versions are included in the Extras folder on the Adobe Creative Suite 3 installation DVD, and, after you install Adobe Creative Suite 3, in the Extras folder on your hard drive in the following location:

  • Windows®: Documents and Settings/All Users/Documents/Adobe PDF
  • Mac OS®: Library/Application Support/Adobe PDF

Creating PDF/X files from Adobe Creative Suite 3

Creating PDF/X files from InDesign CS3, Illustrator CS3, and Photoshop CS3 is straightforward because they share a common user interface. These CS3 components can convert RGB images to CMYK or make other necessary conversions to create a valid PDF/X file, and will alert you of any errors during the conversion. After these components create the PDF/X file, they list any problems encountered or conversions made.

Because conversions may alter the document’s appearance, always review the PDF/X file before sending it to your printer or publisher to ensure that the final document meets your expectations. After you’ve created the PDF/X file, you may want to verify it.

To create a PDF/X file from InDesign CS3, Photoshop CS3, or Illustrator CS3:

  1. Choose an option, depending on the component:
    • In InDesign, choose File > Export, and then choose Adobe PDF from the Format menu.
    • In Illustrator, choose File > Save As, and then choose Adobe PDF from the Format menu.
    • In Photoshop, choose File > Save As, and then choose Photoshop PDF from the Format menu. Photoshop PDF files meet all the requirements for general Adobe PDF files, and retain editability in Photoshop.
  2. Name the file, and specify a location. Then click Save. The Export Adobe PDF (InDesign) or Save Adobe PDF (Photoshop and Illustrator; see Figure 1) dialog box opens.

     

    Photoshop CS3 Save Adobe PDF dialog box

    Figure 1. Photoshop CS3 Save Adobe PDF dialog box, similar to that in Illustrator CS3 and the InDesign CS3 Export PDF dialog box

  3. Choose a PDF/X preset from the Adobe PDF Preset menu. By default, Adobe Creative Suite 3 installs PDF/X-1a:2001, PDF/X-3:2002, and PDF/X-4:2007 presets, which use settings that conform to the PDF/X standards. You can also create your own presets, or your printer or publisher may provide you with one to use.
  4. Choose a Standard and Compatibility option:
    • Choose PDF/X-1a 2001 or PDF/X-3 2002 from the Standard menu, and Acrobat 4 (PDF 1.3) from the Compatibility menu. These settings flatten transparency.
    • Choose PDF/X-4 and Acrobat 5 (PDF 1.4), if your artwork includes live transparent effects or layers.
  5. Make other changes as appropriate. Be aware that some changes may invalidate the PDF/X file; if the PDF/X standard option is dimmed, a change has invalidated the conversion to PDF/X.

    Note: Security panel options are dimmed because the PDF/X standards do not support encryption.

  6. Click Save PDF.

Using Acrobat Distiller to create PDF/X files

Using Distiller to create a PDF/X file is a simple matter of selecting a PDF/X-1 or PDF/X-3 preset in Distiller, and then in your application, selecting the Adobe PDF printer, which uses the Distiller settings, to print the PDF/X directly. The Adobe PDF printer is included with Adobe Creative Suite 3.

Note: For best results, CS3 users should create a PDF/X file the native (direct) way by exporting or saving the file as PDF/X, rather than use the Adobe PDF printer. Distiller cannot create PDF/X-4 files, which can contain transparency, because it creates PostScript files, which do not support live transparency.

To create a valid PDF/X file from non-CS3 software, you can print to the Adobe PDF Printer using an Acrobat Distiller PDF/X preset, or you can print an Adobe PostScript file from any application and then distill it into a PDF/X file in Acrobat Distiller 8.0.

Converting a PDF file to PDF/X format in Acrobat 8

Using the Acrobat 8 Preflight feature, you can convert an existing PDF file to a PDF/X file using several methods.

To convert an existing PDF file to a PDF/X file in Acrobat 8 Professional:

  1. Open the PDF file.
  2. Choose Advanced > Preflight.
  3. Choose from the following options in the Preflight dialog box (Figure 2):
    • Choose Options > Convert Current PDF To PDF/X from the menu at the top right, or click the Convert Current PDF To PDF/X button at the bottom of the dialog box.
    • To use a preflight profile, under Preflight Profiles, scroll to PDF/X Compliance and click the arrow button to expand the list. Choose a Convert preflight profile from the top of the list, indicated by a gray wrench, to check and convert the file. (Verify profiles at the bottom of the list, with colored magnifying glass icons, only check a file for PDF/X compliance.) Click Execute. Skip to step 5.

     

    You can convert a PDF file to PDF/X several ways using the Preflight dialog box.

    Figure 2. Photoshop CS3 Save Adobe PDF dialog box, similar to that in Illustrator CS3 and the InDesign CS3 Export PDF dialog box

  4. Do the following in the Preflight: Convert To PDF/X dialog box (Figure 3):
    • Choose the PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, or PDF/X-4 option.
    • If the artwork contains trapped colors, set the trapped key to True; if it does not, set it to False.
    • Set the output condition to the recommended printing condition or standard.

     

    Convert To PDF/X dialog box

    Figure 3. Convert To PDF/X dialog box

  5. Click OK to convert the document. If Acrobat cannot convert the document, it reports that the conversion failed and lists the issues encountered (Figure 4). To correct any issues, you can apply a fixup, or return to the application in which you created the PDF file to correct it.

     

    Preflight Results window

    Figure 4. Preflight Results window

    A green check mark in the Preflight Reports window indicates that the file was converted successfully.

  6. Click the Close button to close the Preflight window.

    The Preflight feature also lets you validate a file against a specific printing condition using a Verify preflight profile, such as Verify Compliance With PDF/X-1A:2001. In addition, you can correct any issues that would prevent the conversion by applying a PDF/X fixup profile to a copy of the PDF file.

Customizing PDF/X settings

The default PDF/X settings files assume you are preparing a PDF/X file for SWOP that is to be printed on a web offset press on coated stock. If you are preparing a file for different press conditions, you’ll need to create a custom PDF/X settings (preset) file. You can create a single custom settings file for use in all the Creative Suite 3 components, including Acrobat Distiller 8.0. For information on permitted and prohibited contents in PDF/X files, see About PDF/X file contents.

Because the PDF/X format doesn’t require a minimum image resolution, it’s useful to set up a preflight profile to check for resolution.

The default PDF/X settings files are locked and cannot be edited, but you can use them as the basis for a custom PDF/X settings file. Use caution when creating a custom PDF/X settings file. Change only the settings you need to for your output conditions. Consider the PDF/X standard requirements as you edit the settings. If the PDF/X standard remains visible in the General panel when you edit settings in an Adobe Creative Suite component, the settings are PDF/X-compliant.

Because only a few options typically need to be altered, Adobe recommends that you open the PDF/X settings file, make the necessary changes, and then save the file with a name and custom description that identify the PDF/X standard and the press conditions (such as PDFX-1aUSWebUncoated).

Customizing and installing settings files

You can customize your settings file in Acrobat Distiller, InDesign CS3, Illustrator CS3, or Photoshop CS3. Acrobat Distiller settings files (with the .joboptions extension) are the same files as Adobe PDF presets in the other components. The settings files are stored in the Settings folder, which has shared PDF presets for use by all CS3 components, located as follows:

  • Windows: Documents and Settings/All Users/Documents/Adobe PDF/Settings.
  • Mac OS: Library/Application Support/Adobe PDF/Settings.

You can easily install custom settings files, such as those sent to you through email, for access by all CS3 applications.

To customize a PDF preset file in InDesign CS3, Illustrator CS3, or Photoshop CS3:

  1. In the Export Adobe PDF dialog box (InDesign CS3; Figure 5) or the Save Adobe PDF dialog box (Photoshop CS3 and Illustrator CS3), choose the PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, or PDF/X-4 preset.

     

    Export Adobe PDF dialog box in InDesign CS3

    Figure 5. Export Adobe PDF dialog box in InDesign CS3

  2. Select options in each panel, as appropriate.
  3. Click Save Preset.
  4. Name the preset and update the description as needed. The component adds a .joboptions extension to the preset and saves the file to the common location so that it will be available in other CS3 components, including Distiller.

To customize the file in Acrobat Distiller 8.0:

  1. Choose the original settings file (such as PDF/X-1a:2002) from the Default Settings menu in Distiller.
  2. Choose Settings > Edit Adobe PDF Settings.
  3. Select options in each panel (see Figure 6), as appropriate for your output conditions. Click General to update the description of the settings file.

     

    Standards panel of the Adobe PDF Settings dialog box

    Figure 6. Standards panel of the Adobe PDF Settings dialog box

  4. Click Save As, and name the file.
  5. Choose where to save the file:
    • To make the settings file available to other CS3 components, accept the default location.
    • To email the PDF preset or distribute it to others, save a copy to the desktop.

To install a custom settings file:

Choose from the following options:

  • Double-click the .joboptions or PDF custom settings file. Distiller starts automatically and saves the file in the Settings folder, accessible to all the CS3 components.
  • Open Distiller and choose Settings > Add Adobe PDF Settings, select the settings file you want to add, and click Open.
  • Choose File > Adobe PDF Presets (InDesign CS3) or Edit > Adobe PDF Presets (Illustrator CS3 and Photoshop CS3) to open the Adobe PDF Presets dialog box (Figure 7). Click Load, and select the preset you want to add. Then click Done.

Adobe PDF Presets dialog box

Figure 7. In InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop, load presets in the Adobe PDF Presets dialog box.

Selecting options for the settings file

Options in Acrobat Distiller 8.0 differ slightly from those in other Adobe Creative Suite 3 components. Adobe recommends that you create the custom settings file and select its options in the component you use most often to create PDF files. Make sure that any options you choose conform to the PDF/X standard.

Table 2: Selecting options for the settings (.joboptions) file

 

Options Acrobat
Distiller		 InDesign,
Illustrator,
and Photoshop		 Recommendations
Standard Standards panel All panels Choose a PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, or PDF/X-4 standard.
Compatibility General panel All panels Choose Acrobat 4.0 (PDF 1.3) for most uses. The 2003 PDF/X versions support Acrobat 5.0 (PDF 1.4) . (Use PDF 1.4 only if there is no transparency; otherwise, use PDF 1.6 for PDF/X-4.)
PDF/X-3
(All PDF/X-1a files meet the requirements for PDF/X-3 files.)
CMYK, spot, calibrated RGB and Lab colors, ICC-based color. ICC color-managed workflows. ICC color profiles are included in PDF/X file. Allows RGB images that include enough information to be treated as device-independent. Select Embed All Fonts to meet the requirements of the PDF/X standard.
Embed fonts Fonts panel Automatic Select Embed All Fonts to meet the requirements of the PDF/X standard.
Subset embedded fonts Fonts panel Advanced panel Subset fonts when the percent of characters used is less than 100% to reduce the file size and avoid potential name conflicts with similar fonts.
Color settings Color panel Output panel For PDF/X-1a files, convert all colors to CMYK. In Distiller, choose Convert All Colors To CMYK; in other CS3 components, choose Convert To Destination and specify a CMYK destination profile. Because the PDF/X-3 and PDF/X-4 formats support color management, you can choose different color modes when you’re preparing a PDF/X-3 or PDF/X-4 file.
TrimBox or ArtBox Standards panel N/A Choose what happens if the required TrimBox or ArtBox is not specified. By default, the TrimBox uses the MediaBox values. Note: When you print from InDesign, Distiller recognizes the trim and bleed boxes based on the page size and artwork.
BleedBox Standards panel N/A Choose what happens if the required BleedBox is not specified. By default, the MediaBox values are used.
Output intent Standards panel Output panel Choose an output intent profile and, if applicable, an output condition and an output condition identifier and the registry where it’s listed. The output intent conveys the printing condition for which the file was prepared, such as a sheetfed press printing coated paper or a web offset press printing newsprint. You can use an ICC profile or a characterized printing condition for the output intent. The default setting uses the U.S. Web Coated SWOP v2 output profile and the CGATS TR 001 characterized printing condition. Ask your printer or publisher what you should choose for the output intent.
Trapping status Standards panel Output panel In Distiller, choose Insert False or Insert True; in other CS3 components, select the Trapped option if the entire document is trapped. PDF/X standards require trapping status, but the data does not affect the contents of the file. A Trapped value set to Insert True (or selected, in the Adobe PDF Options dialog box) assumes that every component in the file is trapped. Because most native applications do not trap every component in a file, Adobe recommends that you use the default Insert False setting.
Overprint Advanced panel Advanced panel Although overprinting is not a requirement of the PDF/X standard, preserve overprint settings when distilling the file. Select Preserve Overprint Settings in Distiller; choose Preserve from the Overprints menu in other components. Additionally, Adobe recommends that you enable Overprint Preview (Advanced > Overprint Preview) when you view the file in Acrobat 8.0 Professional.

Preflighting a PDF/X file in Acrobat 8 Professional

It’s a good idea to preflight any document before you send it to a printer. The preflight feature in Acrobat 8 Professional can perform several functions in the creation of PDF/X files:

Work with your print provider or publisher to determine which preflight profile to use to confirm that the file meets your requirements. Your print provider or publisher may provide you with custom preflight profiles.

About preflight profiles

Acrobat 8 Professional includes two types of profiles in the Preflight dialog box (Figure 8):

  • Analysis, or verification profiles check and report errors without correcting them. They appear at the bottom of the category list, indicated by a magnifying tool icon.
  • Fixups, or correction profiles, correct PDF files as they are converted; a gray wrench icon indicates these profiles. (Profiles with a hollow wrench icon don’t include fixups.) Fixups can correct a broad range of errors that affect color, fonts, images, print production, compliance with international standards like PDF/X and PDF/A, and other areas. The Preflight tool also includes a toolkit for creating your own fixups; see Acrobat 8.0 Professional Help for more information.

For example, a verification profile would report that a file being converted to PDF/X-1a had RGB images, whereas a fixup would report the error and convert the images to CMYK color mode, according to the fixup rules in the preflight profile.

 

Magnifying glass icon indicating verification profile, and gray wrench icon indicating fixup

Figure 8. Magnifying glass icon indicating verification profile, and gray wrench icon indicating fixup

Preflighting PDF/X files

You can preflight a single document or use a preflight droplet to automate the process for multiple files.

To preflight a PDF/X file in Acrobat 8 Professional:

  1. Open the PDF/X file.
  2. Choose Advanced > Preflight. The Preflight dialog box opens, with the PDF/X status of the document at the bottom of the dialog box (Figure 9)—either an icon labeled Not a PDF/X (Figure 10), indicating that the file has not been converted to PDF/X; or a PDF/X icon with a yellow question mark (Figure 11), indicating that the file’s conversion needs to be verified.

     

    Acrobat 8 Preflight dialog box with PDF/X status

    Figure 9. Acrobat 8 Preflight dialog box with PDF/X status

     

    Convert Current PDF To PDF/X button

    Figure 10. Convert Current PDF To PDF/X button

     

    Verify PDF/X button

    Figure 11. Verify PDF/X button

  3. Do one of the following:
    • Click the Convert Current PDF To PDF/X button, next to Not a PDF/X.
    • In the Profiles tab, click the arrow next to the PDF/X compliance category to expand its contents, and choose a profile that converts to the chosen PDF/X standard, such as Convert to PDF/X-1a (SWOP). A gray wrench icon indicates that the profile’s built-in fixups will correct PDF files to make them PDF/X compliant; a solid magnifying glass icon indicates that the profile will check for errors and report them without correction. Check Run Preflight profile without applying fixups, if you are sure that the PDF file was saved correctly in the originating application.
  4. Click Execute to have Acrobat preflight the document and report any problems.
  5. To display more information about the file, select the options at the bottom of the dialog box, Show Detailed Information About Document or Show Selected Page Element In Snap View.

Validating a PDF/X file

If you’ve created a PDF/X file from a CS3 component or from Acrobat Distiller, you should have a valid PDF/X file. If you want to verify the file against the same standard used to create it—especially if you received the file from someone else—you can use the Preflight feature in Acrobat 8 Professional to verify that the file is PDF/X compliant.

To validate a file against a specific printing condition in Acrobat 8 Professional:

  1. Open the PDF/X file that was created in another application.
  2. Choose Advanced > Preflight to open the Preflight dialog box. The Verify PDF/X icon with a yellow question mark appears at the bottom of the dialog box, along with the PDF/X standard used to create the file.
  3. Do one of the following (Figure 12):
    • Click the Verify PDF/X button. Preflight reports whether the PDF/X complies with the standard used to create it, displaying a green check mark next to the icon if the verification succeeds, and a red X if it fails.
    • In the Profiles window, click the arrow button next to PDF/X Compliance to display its contents, and choose a verification profile such as Verify Compliance With PDF/X1-a: 2001 Profile. A hollow wrench icon next to the profile indicates that the profile does not include fixups. Click Execute to run the preflight profile; click OK if an alert appears.

     

    Verify compliance to a PDF/X standard in Preflight

    Figure 12. Verify compliance to a PDF/X standard in Preflight

  4. Click the Results tab to view the results of the preflighting in the Results pane (Figure 13).

     

    View the results of the verification profile

    Figure 13. View the results of the verification profile

Applying fixups

You use the Preflight Profiles window to apply Acrobat profiles that include error corrections, called fixups. The Preflight feature includes more than 75 fixups that you can add to a profile; these cover a broad ranges of errors that affect color, fonts, images, and print production. A gray wrench icon next to a profile means that it has a fixup; a profile with a hollow wrench icon has no fixups associated with it.

In some workflows, you may need to customize a PDF/X profile, including its fixups. For example, you may need to customize a PDF/X preflight profile to convert colors to an ICC press profile supplied by your print provider, that differs from the default press specification. See Acrobat 8.0 Professional Help for more information on using fixups.

To apply a fixup to a PDF file:

  1. Save a copy of the file to which you’ll apply the fixup, and continue this procedure using the backup copy. Fixups overwrite the existing file.
  2. Choose Advanced > Preflight.
  3. Click the Profiles tab at the top of the Preflight window, scroll to PDF Fixups and expand the list (Figure 14).

     

    PDF/X fixups in Profiles window

    Figure 14. PDF/X fixups in Profiles window

     

    Preflight Results window

    Figure 15. Preflight Results window

  4. In the PDF Fixups list, select an appropriate fixup for your document or workflow—such as Flatten Transparency (high resolution), and click Execute.

    A green check mark in the Preflight Results window (Figure 15) indicates that the file was converted successfully.

  5. If desired, repeat step 4 to run additional fixups on the file to correct it.

Creating a custom preflight profile

Verifying that a file meets the PDF/X standard eliminates many common file preparation errors, but not all. For example, the standard doesn’t include a minimum resolution or limit the number of plates used. To ensure that your file meets all your printer’s requirements—not just those for the PDF/X standard itself—create a custom preflight profile or use one that your print shop provides. You can create profiles from scratch or by duplicating an existing profile.

To create a custom preflight profile in Acrobat 8 Professional:

  1. Choose Advanced > Preflight.
  2. Click the Edit tab at the top of the Preflight dialog box. The Preflight: Edit Profile dialog box appears.
  3. Choose from the following options:
    • To base the new profile on an existing profile, in the left pane of the dialog box, scroll to PDF/X Compliance; if needed, click the arrow button to display its profiles. Select the basic profile (such as Verify Compliance with PDF/X-1a:2001). If the profile is locked, choose Unlocked from the pop-up menu to gain access to options.
    • To create a new profile from scratch, click the New Profile button at the bottom left of the dialog box, and skip to step 5.
  4. Click the Duplicate Profile button at the bottom left of the dialog box. Acrobat duplicates the profile (Figure 16) and appends the words “(Copy 1)” to its name.
  5. Use the Name box to rename the profile, and in the Purpose box add a custom description.

     

    Customize a preflight profile by duplicating it and modifying the copy.

    Figure 16. Customize a preflight profile by duplicating it and modifying the copy.

  6. Select the area you want to edit in the left pane, such as Images. You can customize the checks and fixups within the profiles.
  7. Click the button next to the issue you want to identify, and enter a value, if needed.

    For example, to warn you of any images with a resolution lower than 300 ppi, click the button next to Lower Than 0 Pixels Per Inch and choose Error (red X) or Warning (yellow caution sign) from the pop-up menu, and enter 300 in the box.

    Note: Rounding imprecision in the printing process may cause some images to be down­sampled to values below what the user specified. For example, if the setting is 300 ppi, a file containing an image that is 299.998 ppi will fail. You can avoid this problem by increasing the rounding by a small margin during the preflight operation.

  8. When you have finished editing the profile, choose Locked to prevent changes.
  9. Click Summary to display a summary of the errors the profile will identify (Figure 17).

     

    View a summary of the profile’s criteria.

    Figure 17. View a summary of the profile’s criteria.

  10. Click Save. Acrobat adds the preflight profile to the list.

Automating the preflight process

You can use preflight droplets to preflight multiple files at a time to verify that they comply with the PDF/X standard and any other requirements specified in your preflight profile.

To create a preflight droplet in Acrobat 8 Professional:

  1. Choose Advanced > Preflight.
  2. Choose Create Preflight Droplet from the Options menu in the Preflight dialog box (Figure 18).

     

    Choose Create Preflight Droplet from the Options menu.

    Figure 18. Choose Create Preflight Droplet from the Options menu.

  3. In the Preflight: Droplet Setup dialog box, choose the preflight profile to use (Figure 19).

     

    Set up a preflight droplet to automate preflighting.

    Figure 19. Set up a preflight droplet to automate preflighting.

  4. Specify where to move each PDF file if it meets the preflight criteria (Success folder) or if Acrobat identifies errors during preflight (Error folder). You can also create reports for successful and failed files.
  5. Click Save.
  6. Name the droplet and specify a location for it (usually the desktop).

    To use a droplet, just drag individual PDF files onto the droplet icon.

Best practices for creating valid PDF/X files

Start by asking your print provider or publisher which PDF preset to use when creating the PDF/X file, and which preflight profile to use to confirm that the file meets your requirements. Your print provider or publisher may provide you with custom PDF presets and preflight profiles.

Creating a valid PDF/X file requires certain settings. For best results, follow these guidelines when creating PDF/X files from CS3 components and Acrobat 8 Professional.

Before converting files created in InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop to PDF/X, do the following:

  • Verify that all the fonts used in the document are available on the system. All fonts must be embedded.
  • Make sure that links to images are current, and update links to high-resolution images. You do not want to flatten transparency on low-resolution images.
  • Make sure that all images are in the correct color mode: for PDF/X-1a files, CMYK or spot colors; for PDF/X-3 or PDF/X-4 file, RGB colors if color profiles are included, Lab, or CMYK mode.
  • Specify the appropriate image resolution for the final output device. PDF/X standards do not require a minimum image resolution. However, you can create a custom PDF settings file with a policy that warns you or cancels the job when image resolution is below a specified level.
  • Confirm that the mechanical specifications, such as bleed and trim values, are correct. The CS3 components automatically define the page geometry (MediaBox, ArtBox or TrimBox, and the BleedBox values) for digital output; Distiller recognizes these values. If you’re creating a PDF/X from a non-CS3 application using the Adobe PDF printer, and the BleedBox has not been specified, you can set it in Distiller, equal to the MediaBox. You can also define these boxes manually using the Acrobat 8 Crop Box feature.

Before converting files created in Acrobat 8.0 to PDF/X, do the following:

  • Be sure to preflight any PDF files whose originating software is unknown. (For example, a client may have supplied a PDF 1.6 file with live transparency.) If preflighting reports transparency that the PDF/X format can’t support, you must flatten the transparency in Acrobat 8 before conversion. To flatten transparency, in Acrobat 8, choose Advanced > Print Production > Flattener Preview; choose the High Resolution flattener preset, and click Apply. Then convert the file to PDF/X.
  • If you are converting a PDF whose originating software is unknown, make sure that the file includes a title. In Acrobat, choose File > Properties; click the Description tab in the Document Properties dialog box, enter a title, and click OK.
  • If you plan to run a PDF/X fixup to have Acrobat automatically apply the required PDF/X settings, first make a backup copy of the file; run the fixup on this backup copy. A fixup permanently changes a file.

On converting files to PDF/X, for best results, do the following:

  • Use PDF/X-4 or other PDF formats that maintain live transparency. Adobe recommends that designers not flatten transparency, but rather leave that to the print service provider. If flattening is required, use the High Resolution flattener preset; converting to PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-3 automatically uses this preset. See A Designer’s Guide to Transparency for Print Output for more information.
  • For PDF/X-1a, select Convert Color To Destination and set the destination to CMYK. PDF/X-3 and PDF/X-4 support color management, so the color settings may differ.
  • Set the trapping status.
  • Specify a default output intent to use if one is not defined. An output intent is required.

Additional resources

Be sure to use the online Help in Acrobat 8.0 Professional for detailed information and instructions on how to use the features covered in this guide.

To learn more about the PDF/X standard, PDF/X workflows, and tools that support PDF/X documents, see these resources: