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Hanswurscht+
Hanswurscht+
Participant
October 9, 2017
Answered

High resolution PDF for printing ?

  • October 9, 2017
  • 6 replies
  • 4657 views

In Illustrator I am trying to export a banner for printing. The requirements are: 30x72in, CMYK, >300ppi, PDF.

The problem now is that if I want to save my file (preset: 30x72in, CMYK) as a PDF I can not set the ppi number.

Normally i should get around 12.000x28.000 pixels.

But it exports the document always with 2160x5183 pixels.

If I try to preset the document with the pixel number from above it doesn`t work, because it is to big.

What can I do to get around this problem ???
Thank you

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Ton Frederiks

    A pixel in Illustrator is the same as a point, which is the same as 1/72 of an inch.

    That means that 2160 X 5184 px is the same as 30 X 72 inch.

    If you create your document at that size (and keep in mind raster effects an images), your PDF should be fine.

    6 replies

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Ton FrederiksCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    October 10, 2017

    A pixel in Illustrator is the same as a point, which is the same as 1/72 of an inch.

    That means that 2160 X 5184 px is the same as 30 X 72 inch.

    If you create your document at that size (and keep in mind raster effects an images), your PDF should be fine.

      T
      Test Screen Name
      Legend
      October 10, 2017

      Yes, vector graphics are scalable. Some effects have a resolution, so you should set that. Otherwise, you just create your PDF at the size (in inches) needed. Don't try to set any value in pixels ANYWHERE in Illustrator, even though it lets you! Make sure you designed in CMYK. In an ideal world, they will tell you WHICH CMYK PROFILE to use, otherwise your colours could be wildly off.

      If you add raster graphics they will need to have an EFFECTIVE resolution to meet their needs. But if you don't, you can ignore that requirement.

      Hanswurscht+
      Hanswurscht+Author
      Participant
      October 10, 2017

      Okay, I knew that vectors graphics themselves are scalable , but I didn't know that they are also saved as a PDF.
      So now I can send it to the Printing service and they can scale it to the right size.
      Maybe I misunderstood the meaning of a PDF. But if it now works I am content.
      Thank you all for the fast answers! It was very helpful!

      J
      jdanek
      Inspiring
      October 10, 2017

      "The requirements are: 30x72in, CMYK, >300ppi, PDF."

      A banner at 300ppi?  Here's what I do:  Set the document size to 25% of 30x72 ( 7.5 x 18 ); place the image using 300ppi at the reduced size > Set the Rsster Resolution to "High" > Save As PDF ( High Quality Print ).  Tell the geniuses at the print lab to enlarge the file 400% in the RIP.

      Hanswurscht+
      Hanswurscht+Author
      Participant
      October 10, 2017

      to Monica Gause: No I don't, I use vector graphics. But I am confused by the Requirements.

      to John Mensinger/Test Screen Name: So If i save it as a simple PDF it is scalable ? Would be nice.

      to jdanek: These are the specifications for the file I have to send. They don't say more than this.

      Okay, as a conclusion: I can save my vector graphics as a PDF and they are scalable for them to the right size of 72x30 inches ?

      Monika Gause
      Community Expert
      Monika GauseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 10, 2017

      Hanswurscht+  schrieb

      to Monica Gause: No I don't, I use vector graphics.

      So no drop shadow, no outer glow, no Photoshop effects?

      Pure paths?

      In that case, see Test Screen Name's answer.

        T
        Test Screen Name
        Legend
        October 9, 2017

        The software giving a size in pixels is incorrect. Because PDF files don't have one. For some reason, some software likes to fill in a number even if it is made up nonsense.

        John Mensinger
        Community Expert
        John MensingerCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        October 9, 2017

        There is no artboard-wide resolution setting in Illustrator. If you did place one or more raster elements on the artboard, their respective (effective) resolutions will be honored, subject to whatever downsampling, if any, is applied by the PDF preset invoked at Save.

        Furthermore, if you're designing for print, you should forget about pixels as a unit of linear measure.

        Monika Gause
        Community Expert
        Monika GauseCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        October 9, 2017

        Is there any pixel artwork in your document?

        When the specifications are in inches, then why do you care about pixel sizes at all?

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