How To Create Pdf X-1a Files
Ena Marklund
I use an ibook G4 with OS 10.4.11. On the print window, I can create a PDF file, or a PDF/X file. I am attempting to create a high res PDF for printing with Amazon's guidelines, which are specifically PDF/X-1a files. On my mac, however, there is no menu for the variations of the PDF/X file. Most info on the subject states that PDF/X only describes the file and there are only variations i.e. PDF/X-1-a, PDF/X-3, PDF/X-2 etc. How do I determine what kind of file I have and how can I assure the file is PDF/X-1a? I would output the file from a QuarkXpress program or word processor program. Thanks!
I tried the Hex software, but I'm not seeing any data other than the highly complex chart of numbers and letters...from that, I did see PDF 1.3, but no info about which version of PDF/X I am getting. I would hope also that the 1.3 version of PDF is "newer" than, and satisfies the PDF/X 1-a since it was from 2001? My computer and OS is from 2006. But, it seems necessary to see which version . . . could be I'm not utilizing Hex correctly?
Unfortunately, I still can't tell what the details are on the PDF/X generic description. It's like the OS is saying all PDF's are the same, or the 10.4.11 OS is not intended for high-res PDFs for printing books. I'm hesitant to invest in some older Quark Xpress 6.5 version for this computer if the OS won't deliver the PDF. That version of Quark may or may not have settings for PDF X 1-a.. I'll have to research.
Yep, it's in Acrobat X now, distiller etc. My Missing Manual for OS 10.4 Tiger states that the built-in Mac PDF print menu command will make PDF's that aren't high quality enough for high end printing, such as books. It seems to include the plain PDF/X in that description and he doesn't delegate between the different X formats as in the Wikepedia articles. But I trust his book, and his suggestion to use Acrobat, Distiller, InDesign, etc. More money and re-tooling of my entire computer system! Arg...
I need to create a pdf/x-1a file to send to a printer (for a large book I am writing). The file is initially created in pageplus9 and then reviewed in Adobe. Unfortunately the file is large (4Gb) and the printer says it corrupts when opened even though it opens happily in Acrobat at home. My investigations reveal that if I ask Adobe to test if my file is pdf/x-1a compliant it says yes if it is below 2Gb in size but non-compliant if over. The only reason the program gives for this is that the file is over 2Gb in size. Is this a strict limit then? Unfortunately my book is very image heavy and any reduction to less than 2Gb causes inage deterioration.
p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post if it helps you get responses.
I'm pretty sure the limit is 10 gigabytes (this was the size limit of PDF 1.4). I think the printer is saying (whether they know ir or not) that THEIR software corrupts it if over 2 GB. Don't assume they are using Acrobat ! We can tell you that larger files are OK, but we can't fix their software.
Unfortunately I can't post a screenshot as I ended my trial of Adobe when I couldn't get it to do the tasks I wanted (optimizing, reducing file size, combining). The non-compliance assessment was from Adobe itself. When a pdf was open in Adobe there was a 'check compliance' button on the left of the screen and this reported non-compliance with the files over 2Gb. The result could be examined further and all seemed to be well apart from a comment stating that the file was non-compliant as over 2Gb
I suggest you break the book down into "bite-size" portions. Any printer does not care if the your book is one big PDF as they will impose it as necessary anyway. Use Acrobat's Organize Pages > Split to make some logical divisions. e.g. if your book is 200 pp, split to 4 chunks of 50 pages, or find a logical divsion, say between major chapters.
Use: Adobe Acrobat X pro
Hi,
My printer needs the file in pdf/x-1a:2001 format, which is no problem when I create individual files. My question is: when I merge multiple files (which were created in this format) is that final document in pdf/x-1a:2001 form?
Also, how can I be sure what the format is for any given pdf file? I went into document properties, but am unable to tell for sure.
Thanks.
cheryl :)
PDF is a very versatile file format. Unfortunately, this also means that it is very easy to create PDF files that are completely useless in a prepress environment. The solution to this problem is to define a set of rules that forbid the use of certain PDF functions that are irrelevant for printing purposes and to enforce others that do improve its usefulness in prepress. This set of rules is called PDF/X, a series of well-defined subsets of the PDF standard that promise predictable and consistent PDF files.
In May 2000, PDF/X was first put to use when Time Inc. processed a Bayer ad that was delivered as a PDF/X-1 file. In the meantime, other organisations have also started getting involved in the definition of PDF/X standards.PDF/X-1a is now an official ISO standard: ISO 15930-1.
If you think all of the above restrictions make sure that you get perfectly printable PDF files, think again. There are no rules in PDF/X that state that images need to have a certain resolution. A file with 50 dpi images can be a valid PDF/X file yet the printed result will be horrible if used for printing glossy magazines. PDF/X is meant to be a standard that is independent from the specific production requirements of a type of printing.
GWG is an industry organization that took the PDF/X standards and then added on top of that a set of rules to cover specific types of printing. There are standards for exchanging files for commercial printing, newspapers, packaging, and digital printing. Their current specifications are mainly based on PDF/X-1a.
If you want to get absolutely perfect PDF files for the type of jobs that you print, head over to the GWG site and check out their specifications. In a lot of countries, national trade organizations recommend the use of the GWG standards to exchange files.
The cheapest solution is probably to purchase and use Adobe Acrobat 7 or later. From version 7 onwards, PDF/X-1a support is built right into Acrobat Distiller, the module that is used to create PDF files.
To convert an existing PDF file to a PDF/X-1a file, you can use a plug-in for Adobe Acrobat Professional. The two plug-ins that I have experience with are Enfocus PitStop and Apago PDF/X Checkup. These two plug-ins can also be used to check if an incoming PDF is a PDF/X-1a compliant file.
According to my client, all new PDF files should be saved as PDF/X1a compliant PDFs. PDF versions up to 8.0 are suitable for backlist needs such as file retrieval, but must be converted to PDF/X1a for archiving.
hello, I have a code made with iTextSharp 4.1.2.0 that produce PDF/A (PDFXConformance = PdfWriter.PDFA1B) but now I am developing with iTextSharp 5.5.13.2 that not allowed that conformance and only produce PdfWriter.PDFX1A2001. My question is, this conformance are similar ? In otherwise, why iTextSharp 5.5.13.2 not enabled for PDFA1B.
Thanks in advance
Carlos
The PDF/X-1a standard eliminates many of the common errors found when supplying files for press including missing fonts, incorrect colour space & missing images. A preflight check can be performed on any PDF to validate its conformance to the PDF/X-1a standard before submitting to manufacturing.We ask our pre press vendors to use the latest versions of Adobe InDesign along with Photoshop & Illustrator from the Adobe Creative Cloud suit to create our printed content. PDF/X-1a files can easily be created using our Export setting direct from InDesign.
Essentially this is the same as the PDF/X-1a preset, but it produces a double page spread for WIP proofing purposes. This preset must not be used for final press output. Proof PDF's are not a requirement for archiving.
I ask because I cannot find the option anywhere. I bought this program as an alternative to Adobe Acrobat Pro as it is HEAVILY marketed as such. But it seems it is lacking this function, which is needed for preparing works for printing. Can anyone steer me to the proper info if I am wrong and it does have this functionality?
Your answer discussing another format is irrelevant and a bit confusing and in fact somewhat misleading in its vagueness. It's like if I asked, "Do you sell oranges?", and you said, "Oranges are a fruit and we sell apples, which are also a type of fruit." Right, but you didn't answer honestly and directly about selling oranges, did you?
Also, your answer is inaccurate, as PDF/X-1a are not just files with several restrictions, they actually must contain a special file identification, inside the PDF, which says which PDF/X version they are. Without specifically being coded as such, as a PDF/X-1a, some printers may reject a writers PDF, even if the other restrictions are met, because the file is of the wrong type. Is this irritating and form over function? Yes. Must you comply if you want to get your book published/printed? Yes. Thus your program falls short in a key area that PDF creators need and that Adobe provides.
This format is required by some printers and, thus, if you want to be taken seriously as a viable alternative to Adobe Acrobat, you need to offer the same features for PROFESSIONAL use, including this well established commercial printing related format. If you are making content for print you absolutely need to be able to export to this format. If you are required, as I now am after purchasing your program, to open the PDF created with your app in another program and save it/export it AGAIN in the PDF X/1-a format, that is another step (time wasted) and another iteration (more chances for errors and dilution of the file integrity to creep in), both of which are not good.
I had hoped this program was, as advertised, a viable alternative to Adobe Photoshop, but after having used it a while and paid for a license I am disappointed by a feature set which does not match the breadth and scope of Acrobat, and does not feel PRO(fessional) at all, but more like Home User Plus.
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