InDesign

Produce a print-ready Adobe PDF file

A service provider can use Acrobat 7.0 Professional and later to perform preflight checks and color separations. Acrobat 8 Professional contains more advanced preflight tools, including the ability to make certain corrections automatically. Various prepress applications and in-RIP technologies can also perform preflight checks, do trapping and imposition, and make the color separations of the pages in the digital master.

If you choose to leave out the images when creating the Adobe PDF file, make sure that the service provider has access to the original high-resolution images that are required for proper output. In addition, make sure that the service provider has Acrobat 7.0 or later for accurate viewing of text and color graphics. For best viewing, they should use Acrobat 8 Professional.

If you’re using a color-managed workflow, you can use the precision of color profiles to perform an on-screen preview (a soft proof). You can examine how your document’s colors will look when reproduced on a particular output device.

Note: Unless you are using a color management system (CMS) with accurately calibrated ICC profiles and are sure you have properly calibrated your monitor, don’t rely on the on‑screen appearance of colors.
  1. Prepare the document for exporting to Adobe PDF.
  2. Export using the .joboptions file provided by your service provider. If you don’t have a preferred .joboptions file, use a PDF/X preset.
  3. Preflight the PDF in Acrobat 7.0 Professional or later.
  4. Proof and correct the PDF file.
  5. Hand off the press-ready PDF to the prepress service provider.