How should I create and format my PDF file?

PDF FAQ

Formatting your PDF

• PDFs should be created as single page PDFs, not two-page spreads like you would submit for a print book
• Make sure your PDF is a standard format PDF. We cannot accept Password Protected or Portfolio PDFs
• Pages in PDF must be the same size, with the exception of double-page spreads
• PDF cannot exceed 1GB in size
   

PDF Creating Basics

Creating a PDF in

• Adobe InDesign CC
• Adobe Photoshop CC
• Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

 
Creating a PDF
 
If using Adobe InDesign CC (recommended):
 

1. Go to File > Export
2. When naming your PDF, set the export format to Adobe PDF (Print) (Fig 1)
3. A pop-up window titled Export Settings will appear. Under General, set the Adobe PDF Preset to High Quality Print. (Fig 2)
4. Under Compression, make sure the Compress Text and Line Art box is checked. (Fig 3)
5. Under Output > Color > Color Conversion, select No Conversion if your source files are already RGB (Fig 4a). If your source files are CMYK or other, then set Color Conversion to Convert to Destination, and set the Destination to Working RGB (Fig 4b)
6. Do not require a password to open the document.
7. Click Export
   
    

If using Adobe InDesign CC (recommended):
 

 
Fig 1: Go to File > Export. When naming your PDF, set the export format to Adobe PDF (Print).
 

 
Fig. 2: A pop-up window titled Export Settings will appear. Under General, set the Adobe PDF Preset to High Quality Print.


 
Fig. 3: Under Compression, make sure the Compress Text and Line Art box is checked.


 
Fig. 4a: Under Output > Color > Color Conversion, select No Conversion if your source files are already RGB.
 


Fig. 4b: If your source files are CMYK or other, then set Color Conversion to Convert to Destination, and set the Destination to Working RGB.  


If using Adobe Photoshop CC:

1. Go to File > Automate and select PDF Presentation
2. A pop-up window titled PDF Presentation will appear. Under Browse, select which source ties you’d like to convert to a single PDF.
3. Under Output Options, save as a Multi-Page Document, and hit Save. (Fig. 1)
4. Make sure that the Compress Text and Line Art box is checked (not applicable for Photoshop CC14) (fig 2)
5. Under Output > Color > Color Conversion, select No Conversion if your source files are already RGB (Fig 3a) If your source files are CMYK or other, then set Color Conversion to Convert to Destination, and set the Destination to Working RGB (Fig. 3b).
6. Do not require a password to open the document
7. Click Save PDF

 
If using Adobe Photoshop CC or above:



Fig. 1: Under Output Options, save as a Multi-Page Document, and hit Save.



Fig 3a: Under Output > Color > Color Conversion, select No Conversion if your source files are already RGB.



Fig 3b: If your source files are CMYK or other, then set Color Conversion to Convert to Destination, and set the Destination to Working RGB.

 
If using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC:

1. Go to File > Preferences > Convert to PDF
2. In the left window, select TIFF, then click the button labeled Edit Settings (fig 1)
3. A window titled Adobe PDF Settings will appear. In the first dropdown menu, select JBIG2 (Lossless), then click OK. (Fig 2)
4. Go to File > Create > Combine Files into a Single PDF
5. Click Add files and select the source files to export (or drag the source files onto this space). (Fig 3)
6. A window titled Combine Files will appear. Select Options from the top menu. (fig 4)
7. Under File Size, select the largest size (rightmost) option, then click OK. (Fig 5)
8. Click Combine Files
9. After the single PDF has been created, open it and go to File > Save, renaming the PDF accordingly.

 
If using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC:


Fig 1: In the left window, select TIFF, then click the button labeled Edit Settings


Fig 2: A window titled Adobe PDF Settings will appear. In the first dropdown menu, select JBIG2 (Lossless), then click OK.
 


 Fig 3: File > Create > Combine Files into a Single PDF. Click Add files and select the source files to export (or drag the source files onto this space).
 


Fig. 4:  A window titled Combine Files will appear. Select Options from the top menu.
 

 
Fig 5: Under File Size, select the largest size (rightmost) option, then click OK.