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PDF/X-1a Specifications for Ad Production - Acrobat, Quark XPress
What is PDF/X-1a?

It is a standard of PDF developed by the ISO (International Standardization Organization). It is a means for graphic arts professionals to reliably and efficiently exchange final print-ready ads and pages.

PDF/X-1a requirements:



  • All colors must be spot or CMYK

  • Gray objects must be grayscale

  • All fonts must be embedded into the PDF file

  • Files must be identified as trapped or untrapped (determined by Distiller)

  • Output intent must be PDF/X-1a compliant (determined by Distiller)

    • General Ad Construction

    Build your ad on a document that is the approximate size of the ad. Do not build your ad on an oversized page, for example a 2"x2" ad on a 11"x17" page.

      Bleed

      Remember to provide extra image for bleed ads. Ads must include an extra .25" of image at the bleed edge. Speak with your Sales Representative if you have questions about bleed ads.

      Scanning Input Resolutions


      • Grayscale: 266 d.p.i. @ 100%

      • Color: 266 d.p.i. @ 100%

      • Bitmapped graphics: 600 d.p.i. @ 100%

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    PDF Production

    It is best to print to PostScript and then Distill to PDF. If you choose to export to PDF, be sure to use a PDF/X-1a preset.




    Distiller 6 & 7 are supplied with a default PDF/X-1a profile. Use this profile to Distill your PostScript files.

    Distiller will prompt you if it is unable to Distill your PostScript to PDF. In most instances, the log window will tell you what is wrong with your file.

    IMPORTANT - Image resolution is not a requirement for PDF/X-1a. This means that you can create PDF files that contain low resolution files.

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    PDF/X-1a creator file Specifications

    Your graphic, photo and layout files must be correct in order to achieve an efficient PDF/X-1a workflow. Creator file specifications are listed below.

    All colors must be CMYK or spot color.

    All fonts must be correct and available when PostScript is written. InDesign offers a PDF/X-1a PDF export option. You may use this option to produce a PDF ad. InDesign allows you to create transparent objects. The PDF/X-1a export profile will flatten your transparent objects at the high resolution setting. This is the correct setting for print production. It is important to understand how transparent objects work. Refer to your InDesign manuals for more information.

    Do not export PDF from Quark - print to PostScript and Distill.

    Your PostScript files must be Distilled with the PDF/X-1a Distiller profile.

    All images must be linked prior to writing PostScript. The PDF/X-1a workflow does not check object and image resolution. Be aware of this when building your ads.

    Common errors that will cause your files to fail at Distiller

    Do not use LAB or RGB color.

    Do not produce your PDF files through an export command. You must print to PostScript.

    Missing fonts.

    Corrupt fonts. Not all fonts are OSX compatible. Confirm your font library compatibility prior to live production.

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    Activating the Adobe PPD

    When you install your version of Adobe Acrobat Professional 6.0, an Adobe PDF PPD will automatically be installed into your operating system. This PPD is required for PDF/X-1a production.You will find the PPD in the following directory:

    HD/Library/Printers/PPDs/Contents/Resources/en.lproj/ADPDF6.PPD

    You must activate the Adobe PPD before you begin your PDF/x-1a production.To activate the PPD:

  • Open and view your Printer Setup Utility.

  • Select the Adobe PDF PPD.

  • Click the Make Default button. The Adobe PPD will be displayed in bold text.




    • Remove OPI XTension

    Quark 6.0 will produce a PDF file with 2.0 OPI comments. This version of OPI is not compatible with many imaging systems. It's a good idea to deactivate the OPI XTension.

    Deactivate the OPI XTension in the Quark Utilities/XTension Manager menu.

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    Printing PDF/X-1a PostScript

    Your layout must be complete. Colors must be spot or CMYK. All graphics must be linked to their high resolution files.

    Do not use an export command to create your PDF files. You must print to PostScript.

  • Select the Print command.




    Do not activate registration. This is not necessary for digital production. Prepare the Layout tab as displayed above.



    2. Click the Setup tab.




  • Prepare the Setup tab as displayed above.

  • Your Paper Size should match your ad size. Do not build your ads on large Quark documents. Adjust the size of your Quark document to match your ad size.

  • Remember to add extra image for bleed ads (.25" for each bleed edge).

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    3. Click the Output tab.




  • Prepare the Output tab as displayed above. Prepare color ads as CMYK. Prepare grayscale ads as grayscale. Note that the resolution and screen frequency is 2400 d.p.i./133 l.p.i. for both color and grayscale ads.






    4. Click the Options tab.




  • Prepare the Options tab as displayed above.

  • DO NOT CHECK THE FULL RESOLUTION TIFF OUTPUT OPTION! This will not improve the quality of your TIFF graphics.

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    5. Click the Bleed tab.




    There two ways to build a bleed ad:

  • You can build a bleed ad on a Quark document that is setup to the bleed size of your ad. If you do this, you do not have to enter any bleed information in the Bleed tab.

  • You can also build a bleed ad on a document that is setup to the trim size of your ad. If you do this, you will need to define bleed at the Bleed tab. Remember to allow enough image for a .25" bleed. Your bleed objects will need to extend .25" past the document edge.



    6 Click the Printer button.

    7. Select Output Options from the Copies & Pages menu.




  • Check Save as file option.






  • Select PostScript from the Format menu.

  • Go back to the Output Options menu, and select Printer Features.






  • Select a resolution of 2400 d.p.i.

  • NOTE: You can save this setup as a preset in the Presets menu.

  • Click the Save button to begin saving your file.

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    8. Save your PostScript file. Label your ad.





  • (do not include any slash marks "/" or dashes "-" in your file name.

  • The ".ps" extension must be positioned at the end of your file label.

  • Click the Save button to save your PostScript file. The Quark Print window will reappear.



    9. Click the Print button to print your PostScript file.




  • Printing PostScript is not instantaneous. It may take a few minutes to print your file. Be sure to give your file sufficient printing time. You can create a corrupt PDF file if you do not complete the print function before Distilling.

  • You are ready to Distill when your file is finished printing.

    • Distill Your PostScript


  • Distill your PostScript file with the PDF/X-1a Distiller profile.

    (Drag and drop .ps file into Distiller window.)

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