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katelyn5E33
Participant
August 27, 2021
Question

PSD Layers to PDF

  • August 27, 2021
  • 1 reply
  • 331 views

I am currently designing labels in which the specific printer we are using requires a "press quality layered PDF". I build all 32 designs in photoshop.... I know how to export as press quality but I know acrobat cant read psd layers, the whole reason they need it as a layered PDF is to toggle the die lines on and off. My question is can I keep all 32 designs in psd and export to PDF without the die lines, then import the die lines to Indesign so I only need to pull the one portion to indesign rather than the full 32 files? Will I be able to import the indesign layer on top of the PDF or do all files need to originate from Indesign? I think it would be easier to pop the lines ontop of the 32 PDFs rather than rebuild everything. Any suggestions would help!

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1 reply

jane-e
Community Expert
jane-eCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 29, 2021

Hi @katelyn5E33 

 

Here's what I would do:

 

INDESIGN

  • Create an InDesign file with the same dimensions as the images (or larger to include space for buttons)
  • Place each image into InDesign twice. 
  • Put one instance on the Image layer and one on the Die-Cut layer.
  • In InDesign: use Object menu > Object Layer Options to show the image layer only on one layer and the die-cut layer only on the other. You can hide/show layers and layer comps with this dialog.
  • Export to Print PDF with at least Acrobat 6 or later and check "Include Layers". (Layers are not supported in earlier versions.)
    You said you need "Press Quality". Start with that, but it will say "Modified" when you choose Acrobat 6 or later. Save a new preset with a name that means something to you. Turn on the "View PDF" button as well, but that will not trigger "Modified".

 

ACROBAT

  • Right-click each of the two layers in the layers panel to set which layer(s) will be displayed when the file is opened
  • Set the Initial view to show the Layers panel on opening (optional)
  • Create buttons to hide / show layers (optional)

 

Test with 2-3 images first and ask if you have further questions.

 

~ Jane

 

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