Creating a PDF/X-3
Newer versions of
Adobe Acrobat
Distiller, along with
InDesign CS, make it
easy to export a PDF/
X-3 file.
1. In InDesign CS,
the basic process is
the same as it would
be for exporting any
file as a PDF. Under
File, select Export. In
the resulting screen,
select PDF/X-3 from
the drop-down menu.
2. If you’re using
Acrobat Distiller,
you’ll want to make
sure you’ve printed
your fi le to PostScript
before using the PDF/
X-3 option (upper
screen). Note that you
can also change the
fi le settings from here
(lower screen).
Learn about PDF/X
For many users who
are exchanging PDF
fi les with CMYK printers,
the PDF/X-1 format
will be adequate.
But if you’re printing
to digital or are
setting up a colormanaged
workflow,
PDF/X-3 will be your
best choice. To learn
more about PDF/X
variants and get helpful
downloads, too,
visit www.pdfx.info.
About the author Michael Jahn is a writer, speaker, and consultant to
workflow system vendors in publishing
and prepress. His expertise is in
PDF, PDF processing, preflighting, and
color management. He works for PC
Mall in business development.
