File Prep
Quark Adobe Photoshop Adobe Acrobat Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign

Creating a PDF File from InDesign

Preflight Dialog BoxThese instructions apply to anyone using InDesign CS and CS2. Important Note: If you are using InDesign 2 or older, pleasesee the instructions on how to create a PDF file using Acrobat. Although older versions of InDesign may export in a PDF format, the integrity of these PDF files do not comply with Prisma specifications.

With your InDesign file open, choose File > Preflight... to ensure there are no RGB colors, font problems, or problems with images. In the Colors and Inks area, make sure that all spot colors have been converted to process.

Choose File > Adobe PDF Presets > [PDF/X-1a:2001] (InDesign CS2) or File > Adobe PDF Presets > [PDF/X-1a] (InDesign CS). An Export dialog box will appear.

Name the PDF file and choose the directory in which the file should be saved. Click Save. An Export Adobe PDF dialog box will appear. Make sure all the options on your machine match the screenshots to the right. Go through each category and match the options laid out. Once completed, be sure to compare the PDF version of the file with the original version.