Indesign export to pdf. How to reduce page size to 80%?

[Hans Bos]

When i export from indesign to pdf i have no option to reduce the page size. The pdf i get is then far too big. The thing is that i can not make the indesign document itself smaller since i need it to export it to jpeg too. Is there a way that i oversee? Thanx, Hans

[Blippo]

The solution is simple: do it like you have done it before the convenient PDF export function has come up:

- Download Adobe PDF 9.0 Printer description (.ppd)

- Put it into Library / Printers (where the other .ppds are)

- Add a new printer with this PPD in the System Printer Setup

Then in Indesign:

- Print the design. If you choose the PDF printer you can setup scale in the printing dialog.

- Save the print file (it's just a virtual printer, so it just delivers a Postscript .ps file)

Then drag the .ps into the Distiller (Choose settings first)

Voilá - scaled PDF!

Please ADOBE: add scaling to the Export. Cannot be that hard to build in (at least for you guys)

PS: To all the "you just work the wrong way"-guys. It IS an issue and a missing feature.

If you want to send large format designs (Posters, Billboards) for approval or

vice versa if you simply want to build the design in a smaller scale (let say 1:10) there is a need for scaling the output.

[grant_gittus]

Thanks Blippo - I've tried that: on my system 10.6.8, it just doesn't see the PPD as a printer, so I've been unable to add it. I found Adobe's thread on this http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/multi/save-as-pdf-options-not.html#main_InstallAcroPPD to download the PPD, but found this doesn't work either, at least with CS6, which I'm now using.

My current workaround is to create a series of presets with progressively lower resolution (down to 5dpi) so that if I need to email a billboard I can export it, see if it's small enough, if not, go lower etc.ain as

Still a pain, as the old 'fit-to-page' solved it automatically.

[Blippo]

Well, it works for me perfectly fine on OSX 10.7.5 and CS6.

But I did not put it into the Indesign Folder as Adobe suggests. I've copied the ADPDF9.ppd manually to the folder library/printers/PPDs/Contents/Resources and when I've added a new printer the "Adobe PDF 9.0" printer was an option to choose.

[StoryChief]

Thank you! I've been looking for a long time to solve this problem. Your solution is the only one that works! (Adobe cc). Added this steps to my workflow for creating interactive pdf to fit iPad screen (1024x768px) AND to be printable on A4 (scaled 65%). Thumbs up Blippo14.

[Willi Adelberger]

If soemeone needs a PDF in a different size, he should use Adobe Acrobat Pro. In Print Production > Preflight exists a profiile which will change the size of the PDF with one click. Scale Page commands, you can access this command via quick access.