pdf export from photoshop

How to Export a File as a PDF

PDF is a hugely popular format for documents simply because it is independent of the hardware or application used to create that file. This means it can be viewed across multiple devices, regardless of the underlying operating system. Also, sharing between users is fairly easy. Another key advantage with PDF files is that files from any format can be converted to PDF format without any data loss whatsoever. That’s exactly what we’ll see in this article too. We will explore the different ways by which you can export a file as a PDF.

There are many free PDF conversion tools available online that will convert files in any format to PDF. A lot of them are simple to use as well. You have to upload a document in any format to the site and within minutes, the conversion is done and is ready for download. However, some sites do place a restriction on size and frequency. For example, some sites allow only small PDF files, typically less than a few MB while others restrict to one conversion an hour/day. You can overcome these restrictions by becoming a paid member of these sites.

Use Office Programs

You can use Microsoft Office programs to make this conversion, and no additional software is needed to translate to PDF document. To do that, navigate to File menu. Choose Export or Save As options depending on the Office document you’re using and select PDF option. This will transfer data in files to PDF format.

Adobe InDesign

To export an open document to PDF for printing or viewing, go to File > Export. Give a specific name and location for the new PDF file. If you prefer the PDF document to have the same name as that of the original one, use InDesign document name option.

Pages for Mac

If you want to save a Pages document in PDF format, simply open the document and choose File >Export To > PDF. You can even specify the necessary settings. You can add a password as well. To do this, simply check the password box and select a password for your document.

This adds an extra layer of security to your document, even if your computer is hacked or used by unauthorized users. This is particularly a useful feature to have for files containing confidential or private data.

File Converter Software

There are many paid and free pdf converter applications. But these have to be downloaded to your system and they come with a license, especially if it is a paid tool. Some conversion software gives a free trial period to give you a feel of what they’re offering and you can continue with the subscription if you’re interested.

If you have printable time sheets PDF or want to post PDF forms online, such a tool will be useful as it will do batch conversions as well.

In short, PDF format offers a ton of flexibility for users when compared to other document formats, and this is why you can choose from one of the above options to convert your documents to this format.

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Free Tools vs Paid Software: Choosing the Best Method to Export PDFs to Excel

In today’s digital age, PDF files have become an integral part of our daily lives. They are widely used for various purposes, including business transactions, document sharing, and data storage. However, when it comes to extracting data from a PDF file and converting it into an Excel spreadsheet, many people find themselves at a loss. Thankfully, there are several methods available to export PDFs to Excel. In this article, we will explore the two main options: free tools and paid software.

The Power of Free Tools

Free tools are often the first choice for individuals and small businesses looking to export PDFs to Excel without breaking the bank. These tools provide a cost-effective solution that allows users to convert their files quickly and easily.

One popular free tool for exporting PDFs to Excel is Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. This software allows users to open and view PDF files on their computers or mobile devices. While it doesn’t offer direct conversion capabilities, it provides an option to export tables from a PDF file as an XML spreadsheet format (.xlsx), which can be opened in Microsoft Excel.

Another well-known free tool is Smallpdf. This web-based platform offers a range of features, including the ability to convert PDFs into various formats such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Users can simply upload their PDF file, select the desired output format (in this case, Excel), and wait for the conversion process to complete.

The Advantages of Paid Software

While free tools are convenient and budget-friendly options for many users, they may not always provide the advanced features required by businesses or individuals dealing with complex data extraction tasks. This is where paid software comes into play.

Paid software solutions like Adobe Acrobat Pro DC offer comprehensive features specifically designed for professional use. With advanced OCR (optical character recognition) technology, these tools can accurately extract data from PDF files and convert them into editable Excel spreadsheets. Additionally, paid software often provides batch processing capabilities, allowing users to convert multiple PDFs to Excel simultaneously.

Another advantage of paid software is the added security and privacy features. These tools usually come with encryption options that protect sensitive data during the conversion process. This can be crucial for businesses dealing with confidential information.

Choosing the Best Method for You

Deciding between free tools and paid software ultimately depends on your specific needs and requirements. If you’re an individual or a small business with simple data extraction tasks, free tools like Adobe Acrobat Reader DC or Smallpdf may be sufficient for your needs. They offer convenience and ease of use without any financial burden.

However, if you deal with complex data extraction tasks or require advanced features such as batch processing or enhanced security measures, investing in paid software like Adobe Acrobat Pro DC may be a better option. It provides the necessary tools to handle intricate PDF to Excel conversions efficiently and securely.

In conclusion, both free tools and paid software have their own advantages when it comes to exporting PDFs to Excel. Consider your specific needs and budget before making a decision. Whether you choose a free tool or invest in paid software, rest assured that there are solutions available to help you efficiently convert your PDF files into Excel spreadsheets hassle-free.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

About Photoshop PDF format

You can use the Save As command to save RGB, indexed-color, CMYK, grayscale, Bitmap-mode, Lab color, and duotone images in Photoshop PDF format. Because the Photoshop PDF document can preserve Photoshop data, such as layers, alpha channels, notes, and spot color, you can open the document and edit the images in Photoshop CS2 or later.

You can quickly save a file as Photoshop PDF by playing the Save As Photoshop PDF action on the file. You can access this action by choosing Production from the Actions panel menu.

For advanced users, the Photoshop PDF format offers options for making the document PDF/X compliant, which is essential, for example, when you send your document to a large commercial press. PDF/X (Portable Document Format Exchange) is a subset of Adobe PDF that eliminates color, font, and trapping variables that lead to printing problems.

You can also specify security options for restricting access to the PDF document. The 128‑bit RC4 (Acrobat 6 and later) encryption has an option for letting users view metadata and thumbnails in a secure PDF document using Adobe Bridge.

You can save your PDF settings as a PDF preset for creating consistent Photoshop PDF files. Adobe PDF presets and settings are shared across Adobe components, including Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Acrobat.

Save in Photoshop PDF format

Choose File > Save As , and then choose Photoshop PDF from the Format menu. You can select a Color option if you want to embed a color profile or use the profile specified with the Proof Setup command. You can also include layers, notes, spot color, or alpha channels. Click Save.

Choosing a preset is the easiest way to set options for your Photoshop PDF file. After you choose a preset, click Save PDF to generate your Photoshop PDF file. If you want to add security options or fine-tune the saving options for the PDF, follow the remaining steps in this procedure.

(Optional) Choose options from the Standard menu and the Compatibility menu to specify the PDF/X compliance and the Acrobat version compatibility for the PDF document. For more information, see PDF compatibility levels .

Users of Photoshop 7.0 and earlier can open a Photoshop PDF as a generic PDF with flattened layers. Choose File > Open As and then choose Generic PDF from the Files Of Type menu (Windows), or choose File > Open and choose Generic PDF from the Format menu (Mac OS).

(Optional) Select Compression in the left pane of the Save Adobe PDF dialog box to specify the compression and downsampling options for the PDF file. For more information, see Compression and downsampling options for Adobe PDF .
(Optional) Select Output in the left pane of the Save Adobe PDF dialog box to specify color management and PDF/X options. For more information, see Color management and PDF/X options for Adobe PDF .

(Optional) To add security to your PDF document, select Security in the left pane of the Save Adobe PDF dialog box. Specify the password and permissions options for your PDF document. See also Add security to PDF files .

The Encryption Level depends on the Compatibility setting of your PDF document. Choose a different Compatibility setting to specify a higher or lower Encryption Level.

(Optional) Select Summary in the left pane of the Save Adobe PDF dialog box. You can review the options you specified.

(Optional) If you want to reuse the PDF save settings, click Save Preset and save your settings as a PDF preset. The new preset appears in the Adobe PDF Preset menu the next time you save a Photoshop PDF file and in any product in the Adobe Creative Cloud . See also Save an Adobe PDF preset .

Click Save PDF. Photoshop closes the Save Adobe PDF dialog box and creates the PDF document file.

Adobe PDF presets

A PDF preset is a group of settings that affect the process of creating a PDF. These settings are designed to balance file size with quality, depending on how the PDF will be used. Most predefined presets are shared across Adobe components, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat. You can also create and share custom presets for your unique output requirements.

A few of the presets listed below are not available until you move them—as needed—from the Extras folder (where they are installed by default) to the Settings folder. Typically, the Extras and Settings folders are found in (Windows Vista and Windows 7) ProgramData\Adobe\AdobePDF, (Windows XP) Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Adobe PDF, or (Mac OS) Library/Application Support/Adobe PDF. Some presets are not available in some Creative Suite components.

The custom settings are found in (Windows XP) Documents and Settings/ [username] /Application Data/Adobe/Adobe PDF/Settings, (Windows Vista and Windows 7) Users/ [username] /AppData/Roaming/Adobe/Adobe PDF/Settings, or (Mac OS) Users/ [username] /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe PDF/Settings.

Review your PDF settings periodically. The settings do not automatically revert to the default settings. Applications and utilities that create PDFs use the last set of PDF settings defined or selected.

High Quality Print

Creates PDFs for quality printing on desktop printers and proofing devices. This preset uses PDF 1.4, downsamples color and grayscale images to 300 ppi and monochrome images to 1200 ppi, embeds subsets of all fonts, leaves color unchanged, and does not flatten transparency (for file types capable of transparency). These PDFs can be opened in Acrobat 5.0 and Acrobat Reader 5.0 and later. In InDesign, this preset also creates tagged PDFs.

Illustrator Default (Illustrator only)

Creates a PDF in which all Illustrator data is preserved. PDFs created with this preset can be reopened in Illustrator without any loss of data.

Oversized Pages (Acrobat only)

Creates PDFs suitable for viewing and printing of engineering drawings larger than 200 x 200 inches. These PDFs can be opened in Acrobat and Reader 7.0 and later.

PDF/A-1b: 2005 (CMYK and RGB) (Acrobat only)

Used for long-term preservation (archival) of electronic documents. PDF/A‑1b uses PDF 1.4 and converts all colors to either CMYK or RGB, depending on which standard you choose. These PDFs can be opened in Acrobat and Reader versions 5.0 and later.

PDF/X‑1a (2001 and 2003)

PDF/X‑1a requires all fonts to be embedded, the appropriate marks and bleeds to be specified, and color to appear as CMYK, spot colors, or both. Compliant files must contain information describing the printing condition for which they are prepared. PDF files created with PDF/X‑1a compliance can be opened in Acrobat 4.0 and Acrobat Reader 4.0 and later.

PDF/X‑1a uses PDF 1.3, downsamples color and grayscale images to 300 ppi and monochrome images to 1200 ppi, embeds subsets of all fonts, creates untagged PDFs, and flattens transparency using the High Resolution setting.

The PDF/X1‑a:2003 and PDF/X‑3 (2003) presets are placed on your computer during installation but are not available until you move them from the Extras folder to the Settings folder.

This preset creates a PDF based on the ISO standard PDF/X-3:2002. The PDF created in this setting can be opened in Acrobat 4.0 and Acrobat Reader 4.0 or later.

PDF/X‑4 (2008)

This preset creating ISO PDF/X-4:2008 files supports live transparency (transparency is not flattened) and ICC color management. PDF files exported with this preset are in PDF 1.4 format. Images are downsampled and compressed and fonts are embedded in the same manner as with the PDF/X-1a and PDF/X-3 settings. You can create PDF/X-4:2008-compliant PDF files directly from Creative Suite 4 and 5 components including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Acrobat 9 Pro provides facilities to validate and preflight PDF files for PDF/X-4:2008 compliance as well as convert non-PDF/X files to PDF/X-4:2008 if possible.

Adobe recommends PDF/X-4:2008 as the optimal PDF file format for reliable PDF print publishing workflows.

Press Quality

Creates PDF files for high-quality print production (for example, for digital printing or for separations to an imagesetter or platesetter), but does not create files that are PDF/X-compliant. In this case, the quality of the content is the highest consideration. The objective is to maintain all the information in a PDF file that a commercial printer or print service provider needs in order to print the document correctly. This set of options uses PDF 1.4, converts colors to CMYK, downsamples color and grayscale images to 300 ppi and monochrome images to 1200 ppi, embeds subsets of all fonts, and preserves transparency (for file types capable of transparency).

These PDF files can be opened in Acrobat 5.0 and Acrobat Reader 5.0 and later.

Before creating an Adobe PDF file to send to a commercial printer or print service provider, find out what the output resolution and other settings should be, or ask for a .joboptions file with the recommended settings. You might need to customize the Adobe PDF settings for a particular provider and then provide a .joboptions file of your own.

Rich Content PDF

Creates accessible PDF files that include tags, hyperlinks, bookmarks, interactive elements, and layers. This set of options uses PDF 1.5 and embeds subsets of all fonts. It also optimizes files for byte serving. These PDF files can be opened in Acrobat 6.0 and Adobe Reader 6.0 and later. (The Rich Content PDF preset is in the Extras folder.)

This preset was called eBook in earlier versions of some applications.

Smallest File Size

Creates PDF files for displaying on the web, an intranet, or for email distribution. This set of options uses compression, downsampling, and a relatively low image resolution. It converts all colors to sRGB and embeds fonts. It also optimizes files for byte serving. For best results, avoid using this preset if you intend to print the PDF file.

Magazine Ads 2006 (Japan)

This preset creates a PDF based on the creation rules designed by Digital Data Delivery committee.

Standard (Acrobat only)

Creates PDF files to be printed to desktop printers or digital copiers, published on a CD, or sent to a client as a publishing proof. This set of options uses compression and downsampling to keep the file size down, but also embeds subsets of all (allowed) fonts used in the file, converts all colors to sRGB, and prints to a medium resolution. Note that Windows font subsets are not embedded by default. PDF files created with this settings file can be opened in Acrobat 5.0 and Acrobat Reader 5.0 and later.

For more information on creating and saving a custom preset, see Save an Adobe PDF preset .

About PDF/X and PDF/A standards

PDF/X and PDF/A standards are defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). PDF/X standards apply to graphic content exchange; PDF/A standards apply to long-term archiving of electronic documents. During PDF conversion, the file that is being processed is checked against the specified standard. If the PDF will not meet the selected ISO standard, a message appears, asking you to choose between canceling the conversion or going ahead with the creation of a noncompliant file.

The most widely used standards for a print publishing workflow are several PDF/X formats: PDF/X‑1a, PDF/X‑3, and (in 2007) PDF/X‑4. The most widely used standards for PDF archiving are PDF/A‑1a, and PDF/A‑1b (for less stringent requirements).

For more information on PDF/X and PDF/A standards, see the ISO website .

PDF compatibility levels

When you create PDFs, you need to decide which PDF version to use. You can change the PDF version by switching to a different preset or choosing a compatibility option when you save as PDF or edit a PDF preset.

Generally speaking, unless there's a specific need for backward compatibility, you should use the most recent version (in this case version 1.7). The latest version will include all the newest features and functionality. However, if you're creating documents that will be distributed widely, consider choosing Acrobat 5.0 (PDF 1.4) or Acrobat 6.0 (PDF 1.5) to ensure that all users can view and print the document.

The following table compares some of the functionality in PDFs created using the different compatibility settings.

Acrobat 8.0 and 9.0 also use PDF 1.7.

General options for Adobe PDF

You can set the following options in the General section of the Adobe PDF Options dialog box:

Description

Displays the description from the selected preset, and provides a place for you to edit the description. You can paste a description from the clipboard. If you edit the description of a preset, the word "(Modified)" is added at the end of the preset name.

Preserve Photoshop Editing Capabilities

Preserves Photoshop data in the PDF, such as layers, alpha channels, and spot colors. Photoshop PDF documents with this option can be opened only in Photoshop CS2 and later.

Embed Page Thumbnails

Creates a thumbnail image of artwork.

Optimize For Fast Web View

Optimizes the PDF file for faster viewing in a web browser.

View PDF After Saving

Opens the newly created PDF file in the default PDF viewing application.

Compression and downsampling options for Adobe PDF

When saving artwork in Adobe PDF, you can compress text and line art, and compress and downsample bitmap images. Depending on the settings you choose, compression and downsampling can significantly reduce the size of a PDF file with little or no loss of detail and precision.

The Compression area of the Adobe PDF Options dialog box is divided into three sections. Each section provides the following options for compressing and resampling images in your artwork.

Downsampling

If you plan to use the PDF file on the web, use downsampling to allow for higher compression. If you plan to print the PDF file at high resolution, do not use downsampling. Select the Do Not Downsample option to disable all downsampling options.

Downsampling refers to decreasing the number of pixels in an image. To downsample images, choose an interpolation method —average downsampling, subsampling, or bicubic downsampling—and enter the desired resolution (in pixels per inch). Then enter a resolution in the For Images Above box. All images with resolution above this threshold are downsampled.

The interpolation method you choose determines how pixels are deleted:

Average Downsampling To

Averages the pixels in a sample area and replaces the entire area with the average pixel color at the specified resolution. Average downsampling is the same as Bilinear resampling.

Subsampling To

Chooses a pixel in the center of the sample area and replaces the entire area with that pixel color. Subsampling significantly reduces the conversion time compared with downsampling but results in images that are less smooth and continuous. Subsampling is the same as Nearest Neighbor resampling.

Bicubic Downsampling To

Uses a weighted average to determine pixel color, which usually yields better results than the simple averaging method of downsampling. Bicubic is the slowest but most precise method, resulting in the smoothest gradations.

Compression

Determines the type of compression that is used.

ZIP compression

Works well on images with large areas of single colors or repeating patterns, and for black-and-white images that contain repeating patterns. ZIP compression is lossless.

JPEG compression

Is suitable for grayscale or color images. JPEG compression is lossy , which means that it removes image data and may reduce image quality; however, it attempts to reduce file size with a minimal loss of information. Because JPEG compression eliminates data, it can achieve much smaller file sizes than ZIP compression.

Is the new international standard for the compression and packaging of image data. Like JPEG compression, JPEG2000 compression is suitable for grayscale or color images. It also provides additional advantages, such as progressive display and lossless compression not available with JPEG. JPEG2000 is only available if Acrobat 6 (PDF 1.5) or later is selected from the Compatibility menu.

Image Quality

Determines the amount of compression that is applied. The available options depend on the compression method. For JPEG2000 compression, Photoshop provides Lossless, Maximum, High, Medium, Low, and Minimum options. For JPEG compression, Photoshop provides Minimum, Low, Medium, High, and Maximum options. For ZIP compression, Photoshop provides an 8‑bit Image Quality option. The 8‑bit Image Quality option is lossless; that is, data is not removed to reduce file size, so image quality is not affected.

Specifies the size of the tiles used in images with JPEG 2000 compression. When low Image Quality values are used to optimize images smaller than 1024 x 1024 pixels, using the largest tile size produces better results. In general, a tile size of 1024 is best for most images. Lower tile sizes are generally used for images with small dimensions (for viewing on devices such as mobile phones).

Convert 16 Bit/Channel Image To 8 Bit/Channel

Converts 16‑bits-per-channel images to 8‑bits-per-channel images (selected by default). ZIP is the only compression method available if the Convert 16 Bits option is unselected. If your document's Compatibility setting is Acrobat 5 (PDF 1.4) or earlier, the Convert 16 Bits option is unavailable, and images are automatically converted to 8 bits per channel.

Color management and PDF/X options for Adobe PDF

You can set the following options in the Output section of the Adobe PDF Options dialog box. Interactions between Output options change depending on whether Color Management is on or off and which PDF standard is selected.

Color Conversion

Specifies how to represent color information in the Adobe PDF file. When you convert color objects to RGB or CMYK, also select a destination profile from the pop-up menu. All spot color information is preserved during color conversion; only the process color equivalents convert to the designated color space.

No Conversion

Preserves color data as is.

Convert To Destination

Converts all colors to the profile selected for Destination. Whether the profile is included or not is determined by the Profile Inclusion Policy.

Destination

Describes the gamut of the final RGB or CMYK output device, such as your monitor or a SWOP standard. Using this profile, Photoshop converts the document's color information (defined by the source profile in the Working Spaces section of the Color Settings dialog box) to the color space of the target output device.

Profile Inclusion Policy

Determines whether a color profile is included in the file.

Output Intent Profile Name

Specifies the characterized printing condition for the document. An output intent profile is required for creating PDF/X-compliant files. This menu is available only if a PDF/X standard (or preset) is selected in the Adobe PDF Options dialog box.

Output Condition

Describes the intended printing condition. This entry can be useful for the intended receiver of the PDF document.

Output Condition Identifier

A pointer to more information on the intended printing condition. The identifier is automatically entered for printing conditions that are included in the ICC registry.

Registry Name

Indicates the web address for more information on the registry. The URL is automatically entered for ICC registry names.

Add security to PDF files

When saving as PDF, you can add password protection and security restrictions, limiting not only who can open the file, but also who can copy or extract contents, print the document, and more.

A PDF file can require passwords to open a document (document open password) and to change security settings (permissions password). If you set any security restrictions in your file, you should set both passwords; otherwise, anyone who opens the file could remove the restrictions. If a file is opened with a permissions password, the security restrictions are temporarily disabled.

The RC4 method of security from RSA Corporation is used to password-protect PDF files. Depending on the Compatibility setting (in the General category), the encryption level will be high or low.

Adobe PDF presets don't support passwords and security settings. If you select passwords and security settings in the Export Adobe PDF dialog box, and then click Save Preset, the passwords and security settings won't be preserved.

Save an Adobe PDF preset

Although the default PDF presets are based on best practices, you may discover that your workflow requires specialized PDF settings that aren't available using any of the built-in presets. In this case, you can create and save your own custom presets for reuse in Photoshop or any product in the Adobe Creative Cloud .

In Photoshop, you can save the preset using the Adobe PDF Presets command or clicking the Save Preset button in the Save Adobe PDF dialog box. Adobe PDF presets are saved as files with a .joboptions extension. This is useful, for example, if you want your vendor or printer to send you a .joboptions file with the Adobe PDF presets that work best with their workflow.

Choose Edit > Adobe PDF Presets.

If you're saving a Photoshop PDF document, click the Save Preset button in the Save Adobe PDF dialog box after you specify your PDF settings. Skip steps 2 and 3.

To create a new preset, click the New button in the Adobe PDF Presets dialog box. In the New PDF Preset dialog box, type a name for the preset in the Preset text box.

To edit an existing custom preset, select the preset and click Edit. (You can't edit the default presets.)

Set the PDF options.

In the New PDF Preset or the Edit PDF Preset dialog box, click OK. The new preset appears in the Adobe PDF Presets list. Click Done when you finish creating presets.

In the Save dialog box, type a name for the preset in the File Name text box and click Save.

Adobe PDF presets are stored in the following folders:

(Windows Vista) Users/[user name]/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/Adobe PDF/Settings

(Windows XP) Documents and Settings/[user name]/Application Data/Adobe/Adobe PDF/Settings

(Mac OS) Users/[user name]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe PDF/Settings

All the Adobe PDF presets you save in these locations are available in your other Adobe applications.

To save the PDF preset in a location other than the default, click the Save As button in the Adobe PDF Presets dialog box and browse to the destination, or in the Save dialog box, browse to the destination and click Save.

Load, edit, or delete Adobe PDF presets

Adobe PDF presets (creation settings) are available in Photoshop and other Adobe products. From the Adobe PDF Presets dialog box, you save, load, edit, or delete Adobe PDF presets.

To save settings as a new preset, click the New button, specify settings in the New PDF Preset dialog box, and click OK.
To edit an Adobe PDF preset, select the preset in the Preset window, click the Edit button, and change settings in the Edit PDF Preset dialog box.

Although you can't edit the Adobe PDF presets that were installed with Photoshop (the names of presets installed with Photoshop are enclosed in square brackets), you can select one of them and click the New button. In the New PDF Preset dialog box, you can modify the settings and save them as a new preset.

To delete an Adobe PDF preset, select the preset in the Preset window and click the Delete button. You can't delete the Adobe PDF presets that were installed with Photoshop.

To load an Adobe PDF preset, click the Load button, select the preset file, and click the Load button. The preset is added to the Presets window.

When you browse for an Adobe PDF preset to load, only files with the .joboptions extension are visible in the Load dialog box.

To close the PDF Options Preset dialog box, click the Done button.
To save a preset in a location other than the default, click the Save As button, give the preset a new name (if necessary), browse to the destination, and click Save.

Saving a file as a PDF with Photoshop

In this section.

Print & Copy Services

* Photoshop is available in select computer labs on campus, including Library 034.

This method works best when with saving images and Photoshop files as PDFs. This includes: .jpg, .gif, .png, .tif, .bmp, and .psd (Photoshop).

Open your file in Photoshop.
Go to “File.”

From the drop-down menu next to “Format” (located below where you name the file), select “Photoshop PDF.”

Tip! If your original file is a Photoshop file, do not delete it after saving it to PDF. Otherwise, you will be unable to make changes to your file in the future.

In the Options box, next to “Image Quality,” select “High” instead of “Maximum,” then save your PDF.

If you have any questions, contact Print & Copy Services at [email protected] or 253.879.3737.

Digital Scholarship Center: Save as PDF in Adobe Photoshop

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Save file as PDF in Adobe Photoshop

Did you know you can save PDFs through Photoshop without a special converter? Depending on certain presets, you can even save the layers in your PDF file for editing later. Below we will show you how to save Photoshop PDFs.

With Photoshop open, go to File > Save As . A Save As pop-up will appear. In the Format dropdown, find "Photoshop PDF" . Be sure to check As a Copy if you:

a. have not already saved your current .psd file or b. would like to continue working on your .psd file once your pdf is saved.

"[High Quality Print]" for documents that require high quality printing. "[Smallest File Size]" for documents that will stay digital (i.e. displayed on websites, sent via email etc.).

This graphic shows how to see Adobe PDF Presets

When you've chosen the correct preset, Click Save PDF .

If you would like to save a multi-page PDF document through Photoshop, click here for the tutorial.

Last Updated: Nov 10, 2023 8:16 AM
URL: https://libguides.rowan.edu/DSC

How to Save as a PDF in Photoshop

Saving a project in Photoshop as a PDF is quite simple. Depending on the settings you choose, you can even open the document in Photoshop and continue making changes later.

Hey there, I’m Cara! If you’ve ever wondered how to save as a PDF in Photoshop (or if it is even possible), this tutorial is for you. Check out the super simple steps below!

Note: the screenshots below are taken from the Windows version of Photoshop CC. If you are using the Mac version, they will look slightly different.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Open the Save As Menu

Step 2: choose pdf format, step 3: choose the appropriate adobe pdf preset, step 4: configure the settings.

Go to File in the menu bar and hit Save As . Don’t hit save or the program will just automatically save it with the default settings – which is not as a PDF.

In the menu that opens, click on the Save as type box to open this list of format options. Select Photoshop PDF.

Important : if you want to be able to continue working with the original file in Photoshop, check the As a Copy box near the bottom. Otherwise, depending on the settings for the document, you may not be able to access the layers and continue editing.

Click Save.

Before the document saves, another menu will pop up. There are various settings when saving PDFs that will make the document more suited to different applications. Adobe makes it easy by including PDF presets so you don’t have to mark all the settings.

Click in the Adobe PDF Preset box near the top to access this dropdown menu.

If you’ll be printing the file, choose the High-Quality Print preset for home printing . For commercial printing, choose Press Quality to preserve the information required for professional printing .

If you’ll be putting the file on the web, choose the Smallest File Size to optimize for internet use . You’ll also want to make sure the Optimize for Fast Web Preview box is checked for speedy viewing in a web browser.

If you want to be able to edit the PDF file later , make sure the Preserve Photoshop Editing Capabilities box is checked. If the project is finished and you want a smaller file size, uncheck this box to reduce the size significantly.

To reduce the size even further, click Compression on the left side of the window.

Hit the dropdown menu for Image Quality and choose High instead of Maximum. Once the settings are fixed the way you like, hit Save PDF at the bottom.

Interested in learning how to save as different file types in Photoshop? Check out our article on saving as a PNG in Photoshop here!

Saving PDF Files in Photoshop and Illustrator

PDF stands for Portable Document Format, and it’s used for both print and digital applications. The main advantage of the PDF format is that accessibility doesn’t rely on fancy software; anyone can download a free PDF reader (we most often recommend Adobe Acrobat). PDF is a fixed format, meaning it will render the same on all platforms, browsers, and devices.

If you’re proficient in graphic design, you can create and save PDFs from a variety of industry image editing programs, such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

Why Save My Illustrator File as a PDF?

Even if you package an Illustrator file with all related fonts and links, the recipient of your file will need to have Illustrator in order to open it. Saving your Illustrator document as an Adobe PDF can quickly get rid of any headaches related to software requirements and compatibility.

If saved properly, your PDF will look just like your Illustrator file and can even be used to print your final project. The only software your recipient will need to view it is the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

The biggest benefit of using Illustrator (and Illustrator instead of Photoshop) to create print-ready PDFs is that Illustrator can keep all of the vector content as editable vector content without having to stick to the native Illustrator format.

How Do I Save My Illustrator File as a PDF?

Go to the File menu and select “Save As.”

Select “Adobe PDF pdf” from the “Format” dropdown. Change the filename if you’d like, and then click the “Save” button.

You’ll see a new dialog box populated with Illustrator’s Save As PDF presets, and providing additional PDF options.

Depending on what your PDF’s purpose is, you can use the Adobe Illustrator PDF Presets to shortcut choosing your settings.

If you’re going to be using your PDF online, for example, the “Smallest File Size” option is usually a good start.

Within Illustrator’s “Save Adobe PDF” dialog box, choosing any category from the left hand menu will allow you to customize your settings further.

How to Create a Vector File from a PDF

Wondering how, if you can save make a PDF out of a vector file, you can reverse the process and create a vector file from a PDF? To be honest, it’s a bit of a trick question.

No PDF can “become” a vector file; the only way to make a vector file out of a PDF is if it was created in a vector program to begin with, and saved that way. You cannot convert raster files to vectors. Too much information has been lost when something has been rasterized. Below, we’ll explain this in more depth.

How Do I Know if a PDF Is Raster or Vector?

In order to tell whether a PDF you want to open (and most likely edit) is a raster or vector file, You’ll need Adobe Acrobat Pro to execute a couple of different tests:

Open your PDF in Acrobat, and click on the page. If the page turns blue, you’ve got a raster file. After opening your PDF, click on the magnifying glass tool and/or adjust the Zoom percentage. If, the more you continue to zoom in, the more you see jagged lines and fuzzy imagery instead of smooth, clean strokes and shapes, you’ve got a raster PDF.

Can I Save a Vector-Based PDF in Photoshop?

Unfortunately, you can’t save a vector-based PDF in Photoshop, since it’s primarily a raster program.

Yes, Photoshop can handle vector graphics created within the program. And yes, Photoshop allows you to edit vector content if it’s created within and saved as Photoshop document (PSD) files.

But as soon as you export to another format (like PDF), Photoshop embeds the vector data in a raster file. It cannot create a pure, scalable vector format. Your vector layers and raster layers stay separate only as long as you keep the Photoshop document format. Which is why you can’t make just any PDF into a vector file; it has to be in vector format already.

Photoshop’s vector drawing tools are decent, but your ability to manipulate the vectors once created is hardly robust. You’ll also always need to use Photoshop to edit a Photoshop-exported PDF.

So Why Would I Use Photoshop for PDFs?

In general, it doesn’t make much sense to save a Photoshop document (PSD) as a Photoshop PDF. You’ll end up losing data and flexibility.

There is one big exception, however. If your Photoshop document has vector layers (shapes or type) and will be used as part of another layout which is destined for printing, then you should save it from Photoshop as a PDF document.

For example, let’s say your Photoshop document is going to be placed within Adobe InDesign document. Save your Photoshop doc as a PDF with “Preserve Photoshop Editing Capabilities” checked. Then, place that PDF into InDesign instead of placing the PSD.

This is because InDesign flattens and rasterizes a PSD when you place it in an INDD document. Meaning that when your document prints, InDesign will rasterize the PSD and therefore limit the resolution of all vector artwork, including type. Rasterized type, especially, is much more difficult to read than type with the vector information preserved.

A placed Photoshop PDF, on the other hand, will keep the crisp vector information (such as type) all the way to press.

Is There Another Use for Photoshop PDFs?

Photoshop has a cool feature that allows you to create a PDF presentation. Since Photoshop’s image capabilities and layout flexibility far surpass that of other presentation software (such as Microsoft Powerpoint), this feature allows you to create presentation files with more visual impact.

And, of course, since you’re saving a PDF file, it will be easily accessible even by those without access to Adobe Photoshop.

First, have your images created and saved as separate files. Then, choose File ? Automate ? PDF presentation.

Click the “Browse” button to locate your files and add them to the list.

Choose the “Presentation” radio button and then select your Presentation Options (which will no longer be greyed out) at the bottom.

After choosing the location for saving and naming your presentation file, you’ll then get a PDF settings dialog. Choose a preset or add your own customizations, and off you go! Do double check that the file extension in the filename you’ve chosen is “PDF.”

How to Save a Photoshop File as a Regular PDF

Choose File ? Save As.

Then, from the Format dropdown, choose “Photoshop PDF.”

Keep “Layers” checked, change the filename if you need to, and click “Save.” Then you’ll see a new dialog box with PDF Presets. You can use the “Adobe PDF Preset” dropdown to choose one.

save adobe pdf layers high quality print

If you have a print provider with specific settings they require, then you’ll customize the PDF settings here before saving.

In the dialog box and under the “General” tab, check Preserve Photoshop Editing Capabilities.

Go to the “Compression” tab, and select “Do Not Downsample.”

Select “None” under “Compression” (which will be a new dropdown that appears once you’ve selected “Do Not Downsample”). Select the Output tab and choose “No Conversion” under Color Conversion, and “Don’t Include Profile” under Profile Inclusion Policy.

Make sure there are NO checkboxes selected under the “Security” tab.

Then, name your file, choose the location where you want to save it, and click the “Save” button.

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IMAGES

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VIDEO

How to Export Photo in Photoshop
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