Save only visible PSD layers as Adobe PDF

[Jim Peliksza]

I have a Photoshop 2023 calendar project that contains two layers per month, one for the calendar page and one for the image. The printer wants separate PDFs for each printed page, so 26 in all counting the front cover and back cover. I created these files by hiding all layers except for the one layer I wanted to save and then using Save As and choosing Adobe PDF. However, I noticed that the file size was roughly equal to the size of the entire calendar project (about 1 GB). I assume it is also saving the hidden layers that I did not want to be included.

It would be very helpful to have an option to save only visible layers in the resulting PDF file, just to save space. The printer had to download 26 one Gig files because I didn't realize this was happening when I sent it to them.

Thank you!

[Lavish_Moonlight0D4C · Accepted solution]

You have to uncheck the "Layers" checkbox when you do a save as. 

Show whatever you need for each page, then do a save as (copy) as a Photoshop PDF, then uncheck the layers box. It sounds like you had this option checked which would include every layer even though they are hidden.

[Jim Peliksza]

Thank you so much. I can't believe both I and the Adobe support tech I was working with missed this. I will try it again later and mark this as Correct Answer if it does what I want. I expect it will.

[Stephen Marsh]

InDesign would be the best choice, followed by Illustrator, with Photoshop the last tool chosen for the task.

If you don't need to retain vector layer content (presuming that you do have these elements for the calendar page), working on a copy for safety, Save As a Copy, then undo/revert etc.

Did you check the "Preserve Photoshop Editing Capabilities" checkbox?

Working on a copy, you could use the layer panel menu option "Delete Hidden Layers" (Layer > Delete > Hidden Layers), then Save As a Copy, then undo/revert etc.