InDesign to PDF - Best Optimization for Web

Report · Jan 04, 2011

I am trying to figure out the best way to take an InDesign document and Export it from InDesign for the best PDF Optimization for the web. Should be a very common question, but I see thousands of questions that are close but no cigar.

I know how to Export an InDesign document to make a PDF. I also know how to change the compression in InDesign to reduce the pixels per inch. I am using the Export setting in InDesign to reduce the compression in my document to 80 DPI, which still makes my PDF about 1.5 Meg. This is much too large. I would like this PDF to be about 500k and still be a good quality for both type and color pictures.

I can accomplish this by Exporting from InDesign as an Encapsulated Post Script file first. This makes the EPS file huge! About 158 Meg!

Then, I bring this huge EPS file into Distiller (using the smallest file setting) This reduces the EPS file into a PDF file of about 230k which is great and it looks good, but this is quite a process just to get a small, clear PDF from InDesign.

How do professionals take a large InDesign file and Export it as a PDF file for best optimization for the web? A PDF that opens quickly is a must.

Thanks!

Report · Jan 04, 2011

It's hard to say if 1.5 mb is large for the file you have. Sounds pretty small to me, but I deal in print and it's not unusual to produce files over 100 mb if they have a lot of images.

If you 've read the other threads, you've seen what there is to see. Distilled PDF is smaller because it lacks a lot of the features that are preserved in exported PDFs like support for tranparency, color management, and interactivity. You needn't export to .eps to distill a PDF. In Windows you can print direct to the PDF virtual printer. On Mac try Save PDF from the print dialog.

Report · Jan 04, 2011

In your answer you say "you can print direct to the PDF virtual printer." I would like to know what you say as a professional what is the best way for you to transfer an InDesign file to a PDF file that is best for web optimization? Is it best to export it a a low DPI (what dpi would you suggest?) or print it to the virtual printer?.....Thanks

Report · Jan 04, 2011

Are you exporting a flattened PDF—Acrobat 4 (PDF 1.3) as Compatibility. Also, don't include profiles and convert to an RGB Destination—CMYK includes an extra channel. Also, try JPEG compression with Medium quality.

Report · Jan 04, 2011

I see my InDesign import setting compatibility is set at Acrobat 5 (PDF 1.4) Is this ok?

I have also checked "Optimise for Fast Web View" and "Create Tagged PDF". Also my Export Layers are set at "Visible and Printable layers"

Profile Inclusion Policy under "Output" is set at: "Include Tagged Source Profiles" should this be set to "Don't Include Profiles"?

Thanks Alot!

Report · Jan 04, 2011

If you are looking for the smallest file you can sacrifice color management by not including profiles and exporting to a generic RGB space like sRGB. Flattening the PDF should also save some file size so set the Compatibility to Acrobat 4 (PDF 1.3)

Report · Jan 04, 2011

Also, if the file has transparency the flattener preset you use when exporting to PDF 1.3 will affect file size. Try experimenting with a low res preset.

Report · Jan 04, 2011

I suspect the Tagged PDF also adds some size, but is required if you expect devices for the visually handicapped to work.

Report · Jan 04, 2011

You don't really want my opinion. I design for print and don't give a darn about optimization for the web. I probably wouldn't reduce the resolution below 100 ppi, and use nothing less than medium quality compression (knowing full well that the people who will print it out won't see anything resembling the work coming off the press), or I'll forbid printing altogether. I usually do optimization of this sort through the PDF Optimizer in Acrobat, and what I get is what I get.