How to Make a PDF

If you are designing your text yourself, you will need to provide us with an Adobe PDF file. Use the methods below to "Export to a PDF". If the export options are not available in your software, you can provide us with a postscript file instead.

Make a PDF from Adobe Indesign:

  • Make sure your document is setup to the proper Text Specs or Cover Specs.
  • With your document open, go to: File/Export. Set the "Save as type" to PDF. Click Save.
  • In the "Adobe PDF Preset" choose "PDF/X-4". Do not add printers marks, or change any settings. Click "Export".

Make a PDF from Microsoft Word:

  • Make sure your document is setup to the proper Text Specs or Cover Specs.
  • With your document open, go to: Adobe PDF/Change Conversion Settings. In the Conversion Settings box, choose "PDF/X-4". Click "OK".
  • Go to Adobe PDF/Convert to Adobe PDF. Save the file to your harddrive.

Make a PDF from Apple Pages:

  • Make sure your document is setup to the proper Text Specs or Cover Specs.
  • With your document open, go to: File/Export. Make sure "PDF" is selected. Under "Image Quality" choose "Best". Under "Security Options" make sure nothing is checked. Clck "Next".
  • At this point you can rename your file or leave it as is. Save your PDF to a known location, click "Export".

Rules for PDF Files

  • We can use RGB or CMYK for color printing. No need to convert colors, keep in original color mode.
  • Embed all fonts.
  • Black and white images must be Grayscale.
  • Black type should be 100% black only, no C, Y or M.
  • Image DPI should be a maximum of 300 dpi. DPIs larger than 300 will only result in a larger file, not a higher quality printout.
  • Images should be flat and contain no layers.
  • Transparent areas must be flattened.

printerAbout PDFs

PDF stands for Portable Document Format. When a file is converted to a PDF, all the fonts, formatting, colors and graphics are "locked" into place. Adobe Acrobat is a group of programs that includes Acrobat (used to view and edit PDF files) and Distiller (used to create PDF files). Many people are familiar with Acrobat Reader, (a portion of Acrobat) which is limited to only viewing and printing PDF files. Making a PDF is the last step in the design process. Before making it, you should be sure you have all design details taken care of for your particular project. We will print directly from your file. If you will be designing both your text and your cover, you will need to supply a single PDF file (trouble-free) for the text and a single PDF file (trouble-free) for the cover.