What is a PDF Export Preset?

Most of the Adobe Creative Suite Applications have the ability to access and use a preset setting or specification for exporting PDF files. Using PDF presets is a convenient way to more consistently produce PDF files for specific output conditions or intents. In the preset,  we can specify items such as color conversions, tagging or untagging  of color profiles to the pdf, image compression settings and font inclusion, and so on.

We have provided you with two basic presets: The presets are together in one Zip file download here Follow instructions below for installation and use.

 
1 Projects needing to match other collateral printed on a variety of offset CMYK presses.

2 Projects needing to match 4-color offset now and in the future.

3 Projects with spot colors and needing to match a previously printed letterhead or card on uncoated stock, produced using an offset press.

Saving your PDF file with the spot  colors used saved as spot colors allows our equipment to process the spot color information separately from that of ordinary RGB or CMYK in order to  produce a better match to spot reference books.

Note about spot color selection: It is VERY important to choose spot or specialty colors from a recent swatch book and one based on the printing type, (CMYK or spot) and stock that will be used to produce the order. If you select a Coated spot color, then have part of the order run on an offset press, using an uncoated letterhead paper, the letterhead will be fine, but if you are planning to run a separate order of business cards with a quick turn, such as printing on a Xerox Docucolor, the digital cards will not look the same as the letterhead on the offset press.

Simply selecting the spot based on stock intended for printing will allow our digital presses to simulate the offset printing condition with relative accuracy.

-Choose Coated when using any coated sheet, this can be glossy or matte finish.

-Choose Uncoated when running on a stationary sheet or uncoated stock.

-Choose Process CMYK for all spot colors you do not plan having a separate plate made for over and above the CMYK.

This preset will convert all content, RGB, CMYK, and Spots into CMYK only content, the PDF will be tagged with the GRACol_coated profile for intended output.

1 Projects of one-off presentations needing the most vibrant colors possible.

2 Projects primarily made up of RGB photographic images that need to look as vibrant as possible.

This preset will leave all content unchanged and include icc profile tags for every element in the document. This is a more ricky way to make your PDF, in the elements that have transparencies and sit above or below one another may have transparency issues and blocks of missing color information when printed.

 
Special Note: this preset will convert all the content back to RGB even if it was CMYK originally. This is used primarily for non-RIP printer drivers. This also leave RGB content as RGB but converts it to sRGB if it’s not already in that RGB color space.

Installation

To install PDF presets, open Acrobat, then go to the menu Advanced > Print Production and launch Distiller. Once Distiller is open, drag the PDF export preset files directly onto the distiller box. Distiller will copy the presets into the appropriate area. Next time you open Illustrator and save as PDF or Export from InDesign, the presets will be available.

These are basic PDF exports, primarily focused on color and inks. If you need bleeds, marks, or other elements, start with these as a base and add the items you need and re-save the preset with something to indicate how it is different or why it’s used.

Using

To Export a file from within Adobe InDesign, go to File>Export, Select Adobe PDF in the export type and choose the location to save the file. Give your PDF a name with some indicator of the intent, such as CMYK or RGB.

Next, choose the preset that you installed to give you the PDF style you wish to have for print.

Customize and save your presets for other purposes

It’s a good idea to save presets for your specific working environment. Start with one here and save with other changes, such as the inclusion of crop marks, bars or resolutions differences.  Just Click the “Save Preset” at the bottom left corner and specify your new name for the preset.

 Find preconfigured Adobe Distiller PDF Preset here

 Find Adobe Color Settings Files here

If you would like assistance with your design applications or would like to discuss our color training services, contact our Color Specialist

More information about color setups, working with digital content, general design, and marketing tips can be found on our Blog