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1. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
Russell Goodman Aug 11, 2010 2:05 PM (in response to kas8)Depending on which version of AI you have, it may be slightly different, but basically:
Save As
Format: Adobe PDF
A secondary window will then pop up for you to choose an Adobe PDF Preset.
There you choose PDFX-1a
Converting the fonts to outlines is not necessary to meet PDFX-1a requirements, but the fonts need to be embedded and at least subset. By converting the fonts to outlines, you don't have to worry about this setting.
And, yes, you do have to flatten your transparencies. It should include all. Make sure you save an original un-flatted file for going back to. And also make sure to choose the "High Resolution" flattening setting.
You should also inspect your file for total ink once it's a PDF using Acrobat's Output Preview. Some places specify that it be under 300.
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2. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
Doug Katz Aug 11, 2010 2:21 PM (in response to Russell Goodman)The PDFX1a format does not recognize transparency. The act of saving your illustrator artwork to that format will automatically flatten it. There is no need to flatten transparency in Illustrator before saving.
Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong about this... but I'll be surprised as I've been saving to this format for some time.
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3. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
Russell Goodman Aug 11, 2010 2:28 PM (in response to Doug Katz)That is true, Doug. But, some users prefer to preview their "Flattening" beforehand and see the results within Illustrator. Sometimes I like to move my non-Transparent objects, such as text, to the top most layer when possible, so that the flattening does not affect it.
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4. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
Doug Katz Aug 11, 2010 5:30 PM (in response to Russell Goodman)Yes, that's a separate point about transparency management and a good and important one. You're advising that -- whether flattening is performed by the user or the Acrobat software -- to the extent practical, transparent objects and those they interact with should be below all other objects in the layer stack to avoid surprises.
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5. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
kas8 Aug 12, 2010 3:14 AM (in response to Russell Goodman)Ok, thanks for all the explanation.
However, I've never seen this Flatten option before, where can I find it?
But, like Doug said, I dont need to flatten it before saving as PDFX1a, right?Also, you mentioned I should watch the total ink, which should be under 300, what exactly is total ink?
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6. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
Russell Goodman Aug 12, 2010 6:53 AM (in response to kas8)K:
You'll find the flattening settings in a few places in Illustrator, depending on which version you have. In CS4, you can create presets under the "Edit" menu > Transparency Flattening Preset. Or, if you wish to flatten specific objects or all that you select manually, go to the Object menu > Flatten Transparency.
You'll also find these settings when you save as a PDF as Doug does:
If it's "greyed-out" (un-selectable) that means you have no transparencies and don't need to flatten it.
Total Ink is a printing term used in conventional 4-color printing when you add all the ink percentages in an area together. So, if you have an image that contains a section made up of 40 Cyan, 30 Magenta, 30 Yellow and 100 Black, it's Total Ink is 200. Depending on who is printing a job and what kind of paper and other variables, the Total Ink number can fluctuate. Many printers will adjust this for you, but sometimes it's an extra charge or it may change you image's look and feel. Most houses suggest to keep it under 300. 400 is out of the question. That would be too much ink building up in an area and cause a problem on press. You can view the Total Ink in Acrobat and InDesign using the Output Preview window.
In this example I purposely set it to 280. All the areas highlighted in neon green are above the 280 threshold.
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7. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
kas8 Aug 12, 2010 7:15 AM (in response to Russell Goodman)Thanks for the help!
I really appreciate it!
So i checked, and at a Total Ink of 280, loads of dark colors are marked in my document, but when setting it to 300, just a few little spots [dark shadows on stock photos] are marked.
Do I need to adjust that somehow?
Also, my document had a Pantone color [is this what is called a "Spot color"?], which AI said might cause problems.
So in Acrobat I used the Ink Manager [discovered it by accident ] and checked: Convert All Spots to Process.
This is a good solution to solve this "problem"? [is it actually a problem?]
Another condition was that I use a CMYK standard called Eurostandard Coated, i guess this is the Euroscale Coated v2 output standard?
Btw: does that output preview actually do anything, or only give me previes?
Thanks a bunch so far!
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8. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
Russell Goodman Aug 12, 2010 9:53 AM (in response to kas8)KS:
You'll have to check with your Client to see if they specify a Total Ink Limit. Some shops will accept up to 320. Others will say 275. You'll impress them by just asking the question.
Yes, a Pantone Color is a Spot Color. And PDFX-1a specifications ask for all colors to be converted to CMYK (Process Colors). Good catch!
The Output Preview is just that: a preview. It does not correct any issues, but shows you how your file is built for output.
You may want to download and read this PDF I found. It's for Acrobat 6, but it explains PDFX-1a in more detail:
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9. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
kas8 Aug 12, 2010 11:15 AM (in response to Russell Goodman)Ok, So I will ask them about the Total Ink Limit.
But what if lets say, they use a Total Ink Limit of 280? Then I have lots of spots where there are too much colors...
How would I fix that?
Also, thanks for the link to the document, it really contains loads of info! Though some of it is hard to understand, as I'm not English/American.
Oh, and about that Euroscale Coated v2, that is the colors to be used by CMYK right? Do I need to watch that for something?
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10. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
kas8 Aug 17, 2010 3:12 AM (in response to kas8)Ok, I got a reply to my question, and it seems they adjust the Total Ink Coverage to the print, so that shouldnt be a problem, right?
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11. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
Luke Jennings Aug 17, 2010 3:54 AM (in response to Russell Goodman)A PDF/X-1a can have spot colors. It's best to not include spot colors in your file, unless they are actually being used by your printer.
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12. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
kas8 Aug 17, 2010 4:08 AM (in response to Luke Jennings)Next time, read the whole topic before you reply :/
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13. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
Russell Goodman Aug 17, 2010 7:44 AM (in response to kas8)If they can adjust it on their end, then it's no problem (as long as they don't charge you extra for the service).
I for one like to be in control of stuff like that.
When I get a chance I will post my technique for correcting total ink. Others may have a quicker way or another method, but I'm happy with what I do.
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14. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
kas8 Aug 17, 2010 7:52 AM (in response to Russell Goodman)No, they don't charge extra for it.
Also, I'm looking forward to see your method
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15. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
Luke Jennings Aug 17, 2010 9:06 AM (in response to kas8)I was responding to Russell's assertion that PDF/X1a does not support spot colors.
"Yes, a Pantone Color is a Spot Color. And PDFX-1a specifications ask for all colors to be converted to CMYK (Process Colors). Good catch!"
This is not correct. Perhaps it is you who should read the entire post.
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16. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
kas8 Aug 17, 2010 10:40 AM (in response to Luke Jennings)So, what would be better: converting the color to CMYK, or not?
As i dont want to get weird results...
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17. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
Russell Goodman Aug 17, 2010 12:04 PM (in response to kas8)My Bad!
All elements must be encoded as CMYK or spot. (No RGB, Index, etc.)
In my experience, most PDFX1a files I submitted were being used for submission to a magazine for printing, thus I translated that to 4-color printing (CMYK).
You just have to be careful when flattening any transparencies in an .ai file where there are spot colors and how the interact with other elements. If your job is printing 4-color, I would convert to CMYK before flattening. That's what I meant by "a good catch!"
Also, at the start of this thread, the client requested that all colors be CMYK.
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18. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
kas8 Aug 17, 2010 12:22 PM (in response to Russell Goodman)Yep, it's all going to be CMYK.
As for the No transparency allowed [one of the demands]: does this include the masking of images?
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19. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
Russell Goodman Aug 17, 2010 12:46 PM (in response to kas8)If you mean clipping masks, no they are safe as is. It's only items that Illustrator flags as having transparent properties. Not "transparent visually" such as a compound path or clipping mask. If you select all and flatten transparency, it will take care of meeting the client's requirements.
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20. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
kas8 Aug 17, 2010 12:51 PM (in response to Russell Goodman)Ah ok, thanks!
Thanks a bunch everyone, for answering my questions and helping me out!
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21. Re: Saving a document as PDFX1a format
Russell Goodman Aug 26, 2010 9:48 AM (in response to kas8)





