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runninghead_design
Inspiring
June 7, 2019
Answered

Best Acrobat compatibility settings for 2019?

  • June 7, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 3352 views

Just saving out a PDF from my AI file and I was wondering which version of Acrobat should I be catering for in the compatibility settings.

I don't imagine many people will still be using Acrobat 6 but is it risky to save fro Acrobat 8?

Just wondering what's best.

Thanks.

    Correct answer Test Screen Name

    It isn't really about versions of Acrobat. You are right that nobody is likely to be using Acrobat 8 or older. But the PDF version (1.0, 1.1... 1.7) is also relevant to every other PDF consumer. The most important consumer in prepress is the RIP (output device). Some of these will not be able to read all versions of PDF. Also, some prepress shops will use software to prepare their files which also has limitations. Be guided by your print providers and be prepared to adapt to their whims.

    Also, all versions of PDF/X put limits on PDF version, but that is taken care of by choosing output in PDF/X format.

    1 reply

    Test Screen NameCorrect answer
    Legend
    June 7, 2019

    It isn't really about versions of Acrobat. You are right that nobody is likely to be using Acrobat 8 or older. But the PDF version (1.0, 1.1... 1.7) is also relevant to every other PDF consumer. The most important consumer in prepress is the RIP (output device). Some of these will not be able to read all versions of PDF. Also, some prepress shops will use software to prepare their files which also has limitations. Be guided by your print providers and be prepared to adapt to their whims.

    Also, all versions of PDF/X put limits on PDF version, but that is taken care of by choosing output in PDF/X format.

    runninghead_design
    Inspiring
    June 8, 2019

    Thanks Test Screen Name.

    Having done some more research now it appears that, if you're just uploading a file as a PDF to ensure the average office worker can view it in browser and print it without problems, it's OK to choose version 10 compatibility on save.
    Wikipedia wisdom there.

    If anyone knows of any reason why this would not be a good bet for the given context, speak now or forever hold your piece