Why can't I create a PDF of printer spreads from InDesign print booklet?

[elizabethl91772566]

I'm trying to create a booklet from InDesign, but when I try to select "Save as PDF" from print booklet I get an error that says this is not supported. I'm on a relatively new mac, with the newest version of InDesign CC.

I tried a workaround and saved as a Postscript file, with the idea of opening it in Preview or Acrobat and saving as a PDF from there. When I went to save the Postscript file, the Setup dialog box would not allow me to specify anything:

However, the print booklet preview looked okay, so I went ahead and saved it. It should be a booklet with the spreads trimmed out of an 11x17 page, but when I open it in both Preview and Acrobat, it shrinks to fit an 8.5x11 page. Because I can't specify the size when saving (see screenshot above), I don't know how to change this. The actual size of the InDesign document is the correct size — one spread fits on an 11x17 with crop marks.

Basically, my questions boil down to this:

- How can I save my document as a file with imposed spreads?

- Why is it so difficult to do this fairly common task?

- Why have options to export as PDF from print booklet that simply don't work?

- Why can't I make any specifications when saving as a Postscript file?

[rob day · Accepted solution]

The Device Independent PPD will not work, you'll need the Adobe PDF 9.0 PPD.

Re: Print booklet to post script does not work

[elizabethl91772566]

Thanks for the reply! But my presets folder doesn't have a PPDs folder. Maybe they changed where it lives on the latest version?

[rob day]

Right, you have to make one. It has to be PPDs—case sensitive

[elizabethl91772566]

Ah, got it. Thank you!!!!

[Ricardo37390749igsa]

I just have to create the folder? or do i have to get some file there? what is and where to get the file?

[rob day]

Hi @Ricardo37390749igsa , This thread is 6-years old, but if you are looking for the Adobe PDF 9.0 PPD you can download it here and follow the instructions above for installing:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/fhnvventjc7vxpzzmft5f/AKwgMb_SlYYf5JUfSfpr2nk?rlkey=e7ruj0dh52vvwku98...

[NormaPierce]

The link to Acrobat 9 PPD goes directly to the download of a zip file, and I get an error message of "Failure: insufficient permissions."  I am signed into Adobe support. On OS 10.13.4 using latest updates of Indesign CC & Acrobat Pro DC. How did you get this to work?

[Laubender]

Hi Norma,

do you get this error when unpacking the zip file?

Regards,
Uwe

[NormaPierce]

No, I got it from the download. Couldn't unpack....

BUT then I thought -- maybe you have to create the PPDs folder BEFORE you ask for the download.

So I now have the ppd, I guess.

Planning to see if it works now.

[Laubender]

NormaPierce  wrote

… maybe you have to create the PPDs folder BEFORE you ask for the download.

No need to create the folder before downloading the zip file.

Simply download the zip file to your Downloads folder, unzip it there, create the PPDs folder if permissions allow and move the unpacked ppd file in.

Regards,
Uwe

[NormaPierce]

However, nothing has changed. The 8.5x11 paper side is still vertical (portrait) when it must be horizontal for spreads. I couldn't see anyplace to change the paper settings. Sigh. My project is at the commercial printers now, where they will do the impositions. But I still would like to know the solution. Thanks for your attention!

[Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com]

NormaPierce​,

<< but when I try to select "Save as PDF" from print booklet.>>

Use the buttons in the lower left of your screen capture (Page and Printer) to change the final press sheet/paper size to tabloid and landscape.

That then should allow 2 vertical 8.5x11 pages to be imposed on the 11x17 print sheet.

[rob day]

You have to choose the installed PPD and the imposition paper size and orientation from Print Settings...