How to export a standard PDF from InDesign

NOTE: This does not apply to CS4 and CS5 on OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.

You can read on, if you are old-school and rocking CS3 or older.


Standard PDF export for printing through Distiller from Adobe InDesign CS3 with cropmarks and bleed.

This is not the only way to do it, but the way I do it. This is how I send my files to the printer.

Let’s say the piece is done, approved, etc.. Now you want to send it to the printer.
First, we make a PostScript:

Click File > Print... or cmd+P

Then you have to set the following settings:

• Printer: PostScript® File
• PPD: Adobe PDF 8.0* (or whatever version you have)
• General tab: stays default
• Setup tab:
• Paper size: Custom
• Scale: Width: 100 % Height 100 %
• Marks and Bleed tab:
•      tick: Crop Marks
•      tick: Use Document Bleed Settings (assuming you have set the correct bleed before)
• Output tab: stays default
• Download: Complete
•      tick: Download PPD fonts (do not un-tick if it’s ticked)
• Color Management tab: stays default
• Advanced tab:
• Transparency Flattener > Preset: [High Resolution]
• Press “Save”

That’s it. You can even save these settings as a preset by clicking on the “Save Preset” button, so you don’t have to set them every time.

Note on the PDF Printer:
On Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard) it’s difficult to find the PPD Adobe PDF 8.0 (or the version you have). It’s somewhere in the middle of that looooong, looong list. You just have to look for it.
If the PDF printer is not installed, you normally get a warning, when you select PostScripr® File. Or you just can not find the PDF printer in the long list after you’ve looked for half an hour. to resolve this problem, do the following:

• Go to System Preferences > Print & Fax
• On the bottom click the + sign (if the + sign is greyed out, you have to click on the padlock and authenticate and than click on the + sign.)
• Select Adobe PDF 8.0 (or your version)
• in “Print Using” select “Select a Driver to Use...” 
• select “Adobe PDF 3016.102 (or whatever PDF you have)
• and click the “Add” button.

Now you will find the Adobe PDF 8.0 in the long list.


OK, now you should have a .ps file saved somewhere. Now you have turn that PostScript file into a PDF.
 You do this with Adobe Distiller. You should have this program already installed.

• Open Adobe Distiller (It’s in Macintosh HD > Applications > Adobe Acrobat X Professional > Adobe Distiller)
• From the “Default Settings” dropdown menu, select:
“PDF/X-1a:2001” (This is an international standard, and you should always use this. This is the most compatible.)
• Find your PostScript file (filename.ps)
• Drag it onto the Distiller window.
• Wait.
• You PDF should be done now, and ready to print.

Don’t forget to check the PDF for any fuckup before you send it to the printer!!