How can I save a very large file as a PDF?

[Nythological]

I can't seem to find a straight answer to this anywhere.

I am designing a banner, and the people I'm making it for want a high res image saved as a pdf. However, with a blank canvas, at 32" x 180" I cannot get a resolution higher than 150 to save as a pdf, which isn't good enough.

How can I get around this? Ideally I'd like 300 resolution at least.

[Derek Cross · Accepted solution]

With something like a poster, which is viewed from a distance (unlike an image in say a magazine that's viewed close up), you don't need such a high resolution as 300PPI, 100PPI would probably be fine.

Create your artwork in RGB color mode and export it as PDF/X-4, ticking Use Document Bleed Settings, unless your printer gives you a different spec.

[Nythological]

Thanks for the reply I'll do that then, however I have been told to save it as CMYK.

[Derek Cross]

If that's what your printers wants it's probably best to supply the artwork like that, but they are out-of-date in their workflow practice!