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Adobe Distiller DC using PDF/X4 preset

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
October 8, 2018
5 replies
2433 views

I have a user with the following problem:

Can you please help us get PDF/X-4 for Acrobat Distiller DC. The PDF/X-4 shows up as an output option in InDesign CC, but not in Acrobat Distiller CC. We need to use Acrobat Distiller DC to create our signs for output and need to use PDF/X-4 to avoid these phantom lines that appear when we use anything lower then PDF/X-4

I found the preset in custom folders and moved it over, however it doesn't work naturally. I tried a quickfix by modifying the preset's compliance (I changed its compliance check to match PDF/X-3) but with no such luck. Is there a reason for PDF/X4 not being in Distiller?

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Correct answer Dov Isaacs

Distiller does not have an option for PDF/X-4 for one very simple reason! PostScript doesn't support either live transparency or ICC color management. As such, any PDF file created from PostScript via Distiller would never be able to take advantage of the primary features of PDF/X-4, support for live transparency and ICC color management.

You should never, repeat never, repeat yet again never create PDF from InDesign via PostScript (regardless of what some highly misinformed, Luddite print service providers might advise or “require”). The PostScript output from InDesign is specifically for direct printing to PostScript printers and not for PDF creation.

- Dov

Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com

Legend

@theresam30004689

I have a user with the following problem:
Can you please help us get PDF/X-4 for Acrobat Distiller DC.

Curious: why does your client want to use Distiller rather than the export utility in InDesign? I a teacher and this issue comes up several times a year for my students.

|    Bevi Chagnon   |  Designer, Trainer, & Technologist for Accessible Documents ||    PubCom |    Classes & Books for Accessible InDesign, PDFs & MS Office |

Dov IsaacsCorrect answer

Legend

Distiller does not have an option for PDF/X-4 for one very simple reason! PostScript doesn't support either live transparency or ICC color management. As such, any PDF file created from PostScript via Distiller would never be able to take advantage of the primary features of PDF/X-4, support for live transparency and ICC color management.

You should never, repeat never, repeat yet again never create PDF from InDesign via PostScript (regardless of what some highly misinformed, Luddite print service providers might advise or “require”). The PostScript output from InDesign is specifically for direct printing to PostScript printers and not for PDF creation.

- Dov

- Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)

ceyhun_akgun

Legend

I think it is possible to convert to PDF X4 with Acrobat Preflight. Does this work for you?

Graphic Designer Educator / PrePress Consultant

rob day

Community Expert

I think it is possible to convert to PDF X4 with Acrobat Preflight. Does this work for you?

But that would not remove the stitching artifacts that are being caused by Distiller's flattening, they are baked in once the PDF is flattened.

It should be noted that as long as the output is to a high resolution device, stitching artifacts wont print. Stitching shows on screen because screens are relatively low res, which becomes exacerbated as you zoom out to lower magnifications.

But still if you are in a workflow with an output device that can't handle live transparency, the best option is not to use InDesign's effects.

BobLevine

Community Expert

That is impossible!

Distiller flattens everything causing stitching lines. Perhaps you can explain why you think you need to distill these PDFs and we can help find a solution to your issues which, to be honest will probably be to find a new printer.

Steve Werner

Community Expert

It would be totally contradictory to use PDF/X-4 in Distiller DC which is why it's not there. Acrobat Distiiler is primitive and inherently destructive of data.

Distiller (very, very old) flattens transparency, doesn't support color managment, stores no metadata, etc etc.

PDF/X-4 does all those things (and more) and tries to preserve as much of the original data as possible.

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