Large PDF File Size

[j etch 2]

I've got an issue that's driving me nuts. I couldn't figure out why one of my projects was exporting to such a large file size. I narrowed it down to one linked PSD file that was causing the problem. The PSD file is about 30MB. When I link it into a fresh blank InDesign file and save, the INDD file balloons to over 30MB. Plus whenever I export it to PDF, even using the lowest settings, the PDF will be over 30MB. I've never had this happen before. Is there something I'm missing?

I'm using the latest versions of both InDesign and Photoshop.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[maxwithdax]

Is there a reason you are saving the native psd into the InDesign document rather than a png flat file copy instead of your original? Did you check your Compression settings for Color Images? In addition your psd can be bloated from the xml data contained in the history panel. You might consider purging your history to reduce your file size.

- Dax

[philabbo]

I have come across this too. I have a layered psd file placed in indesign which is 63mb. If export to pdf at the low resolution setting the pdf comes out at 49mb no matter what compression I use.

I have managed to get the pdf to a low resolution size by changing the export to pdf setting compatibility to Acrobat 4 (PDF 1.3) and setting a low resolution preset for the Transparency flattner in the advanced settings. This results in a pdf of 44kb.

I use a lot of psd files within indesign and it makes no sense to save a png copy as this increases workflow time and results in having multiple copies of images. Also it is handy to be able to control layers from the psd file within indesign.

[rob day · Accepted solution]

I narrowed it down to one linked PSD file that was causing the problem.

Here's a thread on the metadata problem with a scripting solution for stripping out ancestor metadata that can get saved with the file and brought into InDesign

Re: File size is too big

[Srishti Bali]

Hi there,

I would like to know if the steps suggested above worked for you or the issue still persists.

Kindly update the discussion if the issue is resolved or if you need any further help.

Regards,

Srishti

[j etch 2]

Just to update. We worked around the problem when it first happened a month ago. But it happened again today with another file, and yes, the metadata was the issue. That thread linked by rob day helped resolve the issue.

Thank you all!

[Srishti Bali]

Hi there,

Thanks for confirming. Feel free to let us know if there is anything else we can help.

Regards,

Srishti

[davidw79211648]

Where is the answer?

The link just takes me to the Adobe Community Home Page. If it's been removed... Why would you do this as this issue is an ongoing problem.

Thanks

[BobLevine]

This thread is more than year old and has been asked and answered. If you have an issue, please create a new discussion with full details.

I'm going to lock this one.

[rob day]

The link I posted was from the old forum, this links to a discussion that also has the scripting solution:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign/file-size-is-too-big/m-p/9370649#M67518

[davidw79211648]

Um, thanks

Not sure why the thread would be closed off though as it appears this is an ongoing, long in the tooth problem that has not been addressed (as usual) at Adobe Development level. Whilst it's nice to have a possible, albeit longwinded workaround, unfortunately the issue of enlarged PDF files has not been resolved.

This workaround might work for some who have one or two PSD images in their document, but spare a thought for some of us working in a design environment where images are integral to the publication that requires smaller electronically transportable documents in a reasonable and professional resolution.

Cheers

[rob day]

The accumulated metadata problem is not common. If you are seeing bloated PDFs with all of your exports post a new question with specific details. There are a number of script solutions for the rare cases where history metadata really is the problem.