Creating PDF Custom size, then saving A4 size

[Opayc]

I hope someone can help.

Docs with a lot of text and images are created in Word.

The size is A4 + 3 mm > 216 x 303 mm.

This size was then placed in InDesign.It would neatly fill the bleed and was used for print.

At the same time, when opening this PDF in Acrobat X/XI the bleed was cut off, resulting in a neat A4 size that could be sent to the students as a digital file.

Now on this new machine there is Acrobat DC.

This opens the resulting PDF as 216 x 303 mm.

There is no way to crop the document to A4 size.

I could add a crop box but this would mean having to do over 100 pages each time. Since the documents are heavily edited this means a huge work load which would severely slow down the timely delivery of files to the students: in short, it's absolutely not doable.

What am I missing here?

Is there a way to use the 216 x 303 document and output it as 216 x 303 for place in InDesign AND open it in Acrobat DC and output it as A4 size automatically, as used to be the case in Acrobat X?

[maratovich]

Why do you create size is A4 + 3 mm ?
Do it right away = A4.

[Opayc]

As explained I need the extra for the bleed.

[Abambo]

You only need the bleed for borderless printing.

So if I understand you right, you have Indesign and Acrobat DC Pro on your machine?

your options are the following:

1. export your data to A4 from Indesign. You can do multiple export sizes if needed. One with bleed, one without bleed.
2. You can add your trim in PDF as there is an option to add the same trim to all pages in the document.
3. You can simply print your document on a A4 printer. If you Print without the fit to page, the print will get out perfectly sized.

If any of these options are not working for you, I would ask you to make available the final document (it may be an older one or even a dummy document if a current one is confidential) so that we may be able to check the document for solutions. Please note that you cannot attach a document here, so you need to share the link to dropbox or similar.

[Opayc]

HIi Abambo.

Thank you!

Yes I do have InDesign and Acrobat DC Pro on the machine.

Solution 1

This would not work, it is not doable since it is impossible to export data from InDesign so often: the files are too frequently edited. InDesign should be taken out of the loop until it's time to use the original PDF for placement.

Solution 2

Is there a way to automate the trim? By the way, I don't have trim in Acrobat DC, only crop and Acrobat does not allow me to downsize the document. It seems as if things are missing, which is odd. But in Acrobat X I had more options.

Solution 3

Yes I can print it but printing myself is never done. It is sent to the printer (a company) and not to the printer machine

So I hope my workflow is clear, but here is a recap of what works here and what I need:

Creating a doc in Word, size 216 x 303 so elements can stick out into the bleed (Word does not have a bleed option so this is the trick).

Word uses a PDF printer to print a 216 x 303 size PDF, 'PDF A'.

After printing 'PDF A' is opened in Acrobat.

Acrobat then is used to save an optimized PDF, 'PDF B', that can be distributed.

Later, if this is required, 'PDF A' can be placed in InDesign. Since it still has the bigger size it will be placed filling the bleed edges.

I hope this is clear. And yes by all means I could send you an example of a file, since most docs contain sensitive information this though would be removed. Let me know first though, please, if solution 2 has an automated function for this and where I can find it. I have been working like described for years and suddenly feel myself like a fish out of water

[Opayc]

I did think of a workaround...

In Acrobat I reprint the document as size A4 without of course resizing the page to fit in the A4. So everything that sticks out is removed. This is a slowing down of my pace since I then have to save it as an optimized PDF afterwards but if all else fails I still will have this, at least.

It is strange that the simple fact that I now have Acrobat DC makes the regular workflow so much slower. I would expect it to be handier but well, there it is  

I thought I would post this and look forward to your reply Abambo

[Abambo]

I never had X or XI, but I was working with 9 and now DC and between 9 and DC what changed is the user interface, not the funtionality...

Where do you edit your documents? Word? Then Solution 1 is completly in the range.

I never did automate anything in Acrobat, but yes, I supose it can be automated. I just do not see the difference from your old workflow. Was that automated?

It is indeed hard to get other people printing as it should be printed, but still this is for me the easy solution.

As of printing a PDF document to a new PDF document is workable, you could easily take solution 1. It is to my knowledge not recommended to recreate a PDF from a PDF. The result can only be a quality degraded PDF.

[Opayc]

Sorry for not getting back sooner, things are quite hectic at the moment.

Yes, reprints lower the quality but since I have to create a lower quality for distribution though I think the workaround will do for now.

The workflow was semi automated. But with the changes in interface in almost all Adobe applications lately, especially with the bloated 'New document' interface, it is difficult to find my way. Plus the older versions allowed me to tweak the interface in a better way so that would save a LOT of time. It sometimes feels as if Adobe is putting novices first. But that's a different matter.

As for the nr. 1 solution: as explained all documents are created in Word, yes. Since they are so frequently updated (sometimes a few times per day) it is not doable to keep checking if things are also right in InDesign, so InDesign is only in the loop for fixed moments in the timeline, when printed versions are required.

I suppose I will have to make do with what is possible now until I can revert to using Acrobat X. Sad but true... I still don't understand how things can get worse but there it is.

[Test Screen Name]

In Acrobat Pro DC you can set the trim box and other boxes, all from the Crop function. The UI is confusing but it works.