Expert: Glen Demers - 7/12/2011

Question
I'm paying for a subscription for Adobe CreatePDF.  I used it  today  but the (options) window was different than in the past when I logged in. Previously, I have used the Adoobe service  to send to an online printer who needs 300 dpi.   I need my files to be 300 dpi. in the past it gave me the option to  select such.  Now it just converts the file.  How do I know it is in 300 dpi?
My Microsoft Publisher program will convert to PDF for free but is that different than this.  And does the Microsoft Publisher use some other version to convert
Please advise accordingly.

Mel Scarberry

Answer
Hi Mel,

When you create a pdf using one of the settings for high resolution pdf's, the images resolution will only be changed if they are greater than 450 dpi, in which case, they'll be downsampled to 300dpi. You have to make sure your images are high enough resolution in you original document.

With Publisher files, I've had the best results by first going to Tools>Commercial Printing>Color
and set to all CMYK.
Then go to File>Print and select as the printer - Adobe PDF Converter. Under Properties select one of the high res pdf settings such as High Quality Print, Press Quality or PDF/X. The Press Quality or PDF/X:1-A will convert your colors all to CMYK, and all these setting will downsample images above 450 dpi to 300 dpi.

Hope this helps,
Glen Demers
Prepress Technician, Best Printing Online
www.bestprintingonline.com

For more InDesign tips please visit our help pages here: http://www.bestprintingonline.com/indesign.htm