The Best Adobe PDF Presets for Printing

Choosing the Best PDF Preset in InDesign

InDesign provides PDF presets so that you have fewer choices to make (and fewer details to actively remember). Presets group multiple panels of choices into the most common combinations for various workflows, such as commercial printing, desktop printing, and digital publishing.

But can you really trust a preset to take care of the piece you worked so long and hard to create? At the same time, how in the world would you expect to remember all of the available print options every single time you need a PDF?

Don’t worry about the learning curve; InDesign’s PDF presets aren’t standalone. If you’ve used other Adobe Creative Cloud applications to generate PDFs, you’ll likely notice something familiar about InDesign’s available preset options. You’ll find the presets in similar places when creating PDFs from both Illustrator and Photoshop.

You can quickly access InDesign’s PDF presets right from a flyout in the File menu. Go to File –> Adobe PDF Presets, and you’ll see all of your options right there.

If you ever need a quick reminder of what a particular preset does from within your InDesign document, you can choose File –> Adobe PDF Presets –> Define, and as you choose each preset, you’ll see a straightforward “Preset Description” right there in the dialog box.

Let’s go ahead and look at the best applications for each.

“High Quality Print” PDF Preset

According to InDesign, this preset will produce PDF files suitable for “high-quality printing on desktop printers and proofers.” What settings are most suitable for this particular application? Both color and grayscale images above 300 ppi will be downsampled to 300. Colors are left alone, so RGB and CMYK images will each remain in their native color spaces.

All transparency settings will also be left alone. Note that Acrobat and Acrobat Reader 5 are the minimum versions required for compatibility with these preset settings (which shouldn’t be a problem these days).

What is PDF/X?

PDF/X standards are the best choice when your printer hasn’t provided you with specs. They’re a safe bet if you want to be sure your printer will be able to open your file, while also minimizing any printing errors. Adobe developed this set of ISO standards for print workflows by addressing input from other industry professionals and vendors. Because these standards are geared toward producing more universal print-ready PDFs, printers will often take the easiest route and encourage clients to choose the PDF/X presets.

“PDF/X-1a:2001” PDF Preset

PDF/X-1a:2001 takes away compatibility with Acrobat 5 and downgrades it to Acrobat 4. All of your colors (whether RGB or CMYK) will automatically be converted to CMYK, although any spot colors you’ve set will stay intact.

You’ll also need to be proactive about transparency flattening, and may want to specify your own settings for transparency treatment.

To do this, you can go to File –> Adobe PDF Presets –> Define as shown above, then choose “PDF/X-1a:2001” and click the “New” button.

Then, select “Advanced” from the left menu and use the “Transparency Flattener” down to make your choice.

The “High Resolution Transparency Flattener” preset will best maintain the quality of your text and vectors, if that’s what you want. All images above 300 ppi resolution will be downsampled to 300 ppi if you have they’re higher.

“PDF/X-3:2002” PDF Preset

Again, with this preset, your transparency will be flattened. If you want to choose your transparency settings proactively, you can follow the same instructions as above. PDF/X3:2002 is like the previous PDF/X setting, except it allows embedded RGB profiles to remain (no automatic conversion to CMYK).

It’s a helpful setting if your printer is planning on optimizing the color based on the printing environment. European printers tend to make more use of this format than American printers.

“PDF/X-4:2008” PDF Preset

With this PDF/X present, since compatibility is set to the more recent Acrobat 7, you’ll be able to keep any transparency in your document intact.

This is the biggest advantage of the PDF/X-4:2008 formatting. You’ll also be able to maintain the quality of any high resolution images. Color-wise, you’re allowed to use RGB, CMYK, and greyscale. Your spot colors will stay intact, and you can even continue to use LAB or ICC profiles.

“Press Quality” PDF Preset:

This is another bundle of settings that’s often commonplace when working with high-quality commercial printers. This preset will allow you to keep all transparency live in the document (no flattening required). Adobe Acrobat works well with live transparency, and also creates satisfying separations, so a printer who works out of Acrobat will be happy with any file output this way. It will be compatible as far back as Adobe Acrobat 5. Any RGB values will be converted to CMYK, and all images will be downsampled to 300 pp in cases where the actual resolution is higher.

“Smallest File Size” PDF Preset:

“Smallest File Size” is most important where size matters, and size matters most on the web. In order for your document to be accessible to as much of your audience as possible, you’ll want to choose this preset for anything you’re planning to send via email or display on a screen.

Anything that’s both color and high resolution will automatically be downsampled to 100 ppi. Grayscale images can stay as high as 150 ppi. You’ll be able to play well with anything as far back as Acrobat 6, and you can keep your transparency and any layers intact.

Custom InDesign Presets

The above settings will satisfy your print-worthy document needs almost all of the time, especially when you’re part of a professional environment using a typical print workflow. If, however, you have special considerations (or just want to get fancy), there’s more than one way to customize presets for your needs in InDesign.

We don’t need to cover every possible preset customization, but here are a couple of suggestions for more common needs:

If you need to make your InDesign files interactive once saved as PDFs, you can go to File –> Adobe PDF Presets –> Define, then choose your preset setting and hit “New.”

Then, choose “General” from the left side menu and pick your desired Hyperlinks and Interactive Elements from the bottom of the dialog:

If your printer is asking you for crop marks, bleed marks, or other printer’s marks, you can go to File –> Adobe PDF Presets –> Define, then again choose your preset setting and hit “New.”

Then, in the dialog box, choose “Marks and Bleeds” from the left side menu and check the box for “All Printer’s Marks” in the top section.

Saving Your PDF Preset

Once you’ve added your additional customizations to any of the PDF Presets in InDesign, you’ll want to name your preset in the top field of the dialog box.

Then, click the “OK” button at the bottom right of the dialog box.

Your preset will have automatically been added to the Adobe PDF Presets dialog.

Congratulations, and happy customizing!

Is InDesign Still Relevant for Modern Graphic Design?

In graphic design, there are many programs used to create modern graphics. One of the original programs is Adobe InDesign, a layout-based software application first released in 1999. If you’re interested in the graphic design world, you might wonder – is InDesign still relevant for modern graphic design? Is it less vital with fewer printing needs?

Even though Adobe InDesign has been around for a long time and primarily works for printing, it’s still an industry standard. Most professional graphic designers have Adobe InDesign in their arsenal of tools.

Online template based graphic design software is becoming popular in recent years, and for good reason. Tools like offer over 100,000+ pre-made templates that users can customize and use commercially, with free fonts and graphics, and even copyright or trademark their designs.

If you’re interested in learning more about Adobe InDesign, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about why InDesign is still relevant, the downsides that might come with InDesign, and more. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started!

Why is InDesign Still Relevant?

InDesign is just as relevant today as it was ten years ago. There are many reasons why this service has stuck around as one of the strongest contenders. Let’s talk about a few of the most prominent reasons why InDesign still comes out on top as a leader for creatives.

Adobe InDesign is still relevant because of the following features:

It has excellent quality for multiple formats: InDesign creates astonishing designs for both print and digital formats.

InDesign creates astonishing designs for both print and digital formats. It has ideal output features: InDesign makes it easy to output designs on other software, particularly other Adobe softwares.

InDesign makes it easy to output designs on other software, particularly other Adobe softwares. It makes collaboration simple: Graphic designers can collaborate on the platform for the best professional results.

Graphic designers can collaborate on the platform for the best professional results. It’s trustworthy: Adobe has proven itself to be trustworthy as a reliable graphic design program for graphic designers.

There are so many benefits that come with InDesign for graphic design professionals.

InDesign is relevant because it has adapted to the times. You can always depend on Adobe to update their software to a format that works with the modern professional artist. They work hard to adapt to the changing lives of designers.

Are There Any Downsides to InDesign?

As with any program, some downsides come with using Adobe InDesign. Any professional considering this program for their work should look at the cons that come with the choice to make Adobe InDesign one of their main programs.

A few of the biggest downsides that come with Adobe InDesign include:

It’s difficult for beginners to use and get the hang of quickly without boot camps and classes

It has a buggy interface if you need help with the software, right in the software

It’s more expensive than software like Affinity Designer, though this price is worth it

It can be slow on occasion, sacrificing quality for the speed when the program is open

Other than these, it’s an ideal modern graphic design tool for any professional artist.

There will be downsides to any graphic design program you use as a professional. That’s why it’s critical to use Adobe InDesign in conjunction with other software to get a well-rounded array of features to put to work on your creations.

Should a Beginner Use InDesign?

Although it can be tricky for a beginner to learn InDesign, there are plenty of tutorials online to provide any necessary information. One of the best things about Adobe is that there are tons of resources online for beginners to take advantage of for their lives. Any newbie can become advanced with enough practice.

For the best experience, we recommend beginners start with a template based graphic design software. Our personal recommendation is because they have the largest library of templates, come with full commercial usage rights, and is very user friendly. You can use Placeit for professional purposes, and can even copyright or trademark the designs made with their software.

However, if you’re inexperienced in graphic design, don’t be afraid to try Adobe InDesign for yourself. There are tons of videos and step-by-step instructions that are simple to follow. You can even sign up for boot camps and workshops to earn certifications for your knowledge.

Is InDesign or Illustrator Better for Graphic Design?

Adobe Illustrator is one of the biggest alternative programs that professionals might use instead of InDesign. Although you can use them in conjunction with each other, InDesign comes out on top as the best choice for graphic designers.

Adobe InDesign comes out on top because:

It allows you to publish multi-page documents all in one go

It permits efficient layouts

This service is best for layouts that are multiple pages.

If you’re working on vectors and single pages, Illustrator is the best choice. Each excels in different sections of graphic design. It’s up to you to determine which software is best for the project you’re currently working on.

Although Adobe InDesign is one of the industry standards, there are other graphic design tools that professionals use. Many people use these in conjunction with Adobe InDesign to get full access to all the features on the market. Let’s take a look at a few of the other best graphic design tools.

Some of the other popular options on the market include:

These all work well in conjunction with Adobe InDesign, working to fill in the gaps that InDesign can’t cover in the professional world.

The best graphic design tools to use with InDesign are other Adobe tools. Programs like Photoshop and Illustrator easily operate in conjunction with Adobe InDesign, making it simple to create flawless graphic design creations right from the comfort of your computer. Adobe is easily one of the most popular programs with professionals.

Conclusion

The world of graphic design has grown and expanded exponentially since its inception. Although it has moved into the digital realm, Adobe InDesign remains one of the industry standards for professionals in this world. It’s used with other software, including Adobe Illustrator and Affinity Designer.

We hope this information was helpful! If you’re interested in graphic design, you can feel safe knowing that Adobe InDesign is a quality tool anyone can use to get things done. Lastly, if you’re looking for any alternative to InDesign, we highly recommend because it uses pre-made templates that you can customize to fit your needs, and download with full commercial usage rights.

19 BEST Adobe InDesign Alternatives in 2022 (Free & Paid)

InDesign is a typesetting and desktop publishing software tool developed by Adobe. It helps you to create flyers, posters, brochures, books, newspapers, magazines, and more.

However, InDesign has some limitations like editing mathematic equations or formula is difficult. Moreover, you need to put lots of effort to balance the distance between the two texts.

Here is a curated list of Top tools that are capable of replacing InDesign. The list contains both open source(free) and commercial(paid) software.

Top Pick Canva Canva is a tool that helps you to create designs with your team. It provides drag and drop interface to design, share, and print presentations, business cards, logos, and more. Learn More

Best Alternatives to InDesign: (Free / Open Source)

Canva is a tool that helps you to create designs with your team. It provides drag and drop interface to design, share, and print presentations, business cards, logos, and more. This tool also helps you to make impressive data visualizations by creating a graph.

Features:

It provides professionally designed templates to boost your workflow.

You can add text to photos.

Canva enables you to publish, share, or download your HD graph.

You can embed the graph in infographics, presentations, etc.

It offers a speech bubble for making a dialogue.

You can enhance your photo with numerous effects.

Visit Canva >>

DesignEvo is adobe InDesign alternative that can be used to design logos with ease. It enables you to browse templates through categories or using keywords.

Features:

Offers professionally design icons and stylish fonts.

Enables you to customize your design.

Can be used without downloading any software.

Offers logo that can be scaled without compromising pixel.

You can make unlimited editing quickly with no hassle.

Visit DesignEvo >>

DesignCap is an easy-to-use graphic design tool that you can use directly in your browser. It offers tons of resources, allowing you to make professional-looking images and graphics like infographics, reports, business cards, social media art, etc.

Features:

It has thousands of templates for various themes.

It puts at your disposal countless stock images and quality icons.

You have the possibility to upload your photos as well.

Directly add charts and import data from the spreadsheet.

Default layouts can be easily customized with different elements like text, module, background, etc.

Share the design anywhere you want.

Visit DesignCap >>

Swift Publisher is an easy publishing and page layout software specifically design for Mac. This tool has 500+ project templates and more than 2000 images. You can use it to create brochures, business cards, labels, and more.

Features:

This tool has a collection of numerous cliparts.

You can view and edit two pages side-by-side.

It enables you to create master pages for creating headers, footers, page numbers, and more.

You can access your albums and collections from iTunes library or Apple Photos.

Visit Swift Publisher

PDFelement is a tool designed by Wondershare company. It helps you to create, edit, and sign PDF files on Mac and Windows. You can use this tool to convert PDF to MS office files.

Features:

You can access this application anywhere at any time using the iPhone and Android app.

This tool enables you to collaborate with other people effectively.

You can create forms, combine them for analysis purposes, or export data in a spreadsheet.

PDFelement supports commenting on PDF documents.

You can control your PDF file to access sensitive information access.

Visit PDFelement >>

Zevrix is an Automation tool that helps you to shorten your production time from hours down to minutes. It offers four different productivity tools for your business needs: 1) Output Factory, 2) LinkOptimizer, 3) Output Factory Server 4) Package Central.

Features:

Output Factory: It solves the problem of time-consuming InDesign production by automating printing, exporting, preflighting, and various repetitive tasks. This feature helps you to perform batch processing and layer versioning.

It solves the problem of time-consuming InDesign production by automating printing, exporting, preflighting, and various repetitive tasks. This feature helps you to perform batch processing and layer versioning. LinkOptimizer: This feature helps you to reduce link size and optimize resolution. It also allows you to convert colors and formats.

This feature helps you to reduce link size and optimize resolution. It also allows you to convert colors and formats. Output Factory Server: It helps you to output InDesign files automatically in various formats. You can also combine LinkOptimizer workflows with other output formats.

It helps you to output InDesign files automatically in various formats. You can also combine LinkOptimizer workflows with other output formats. Package Central: It is a packaging automation solution for Adobe InDesign, which processes InDesign files from watched hot folders. It offloads all file collection tasks to a central system. It also serves unlimited users from a single station.

Visit Zevrix >>

Microsoft Office Publisher is a tool that enables you to create postcards, newsletters, brochures, and more. It offers numerous built-in templates that you can use to develop a professional design without any hassle.

Features:

Microsoft Office Publisher helps you to create professional layouts.

You can easily design unique materials that suit your purpose.

You can send professional-quality email publications to your audience.

Visit Microsoft >>

48hourslogo is a platform to design a logo for your business. It helps you to create flyers or posters to reach your potential customers.

Features:

You will be able to quickly get a custom design of your logo.

It offers numerous designs to choose your logo.

Enables you to make adjustments according to your desire.

You can get a website design that suits your business.

Visit 48hourslogo >>

9) LogoGarden

LogoGarden is a tool to create a logo for free. It enables you to search and browse a wide range of icons. This application offers design tools, fonts and colors, and more.

Features:

You can make a business card and build a website with ease.

Contains 1000+ brand symbols.

It helps you to create a unique logo with ease.

Offers intuitive user interface.

You will get 24/7 hours access to your file.

Link:

10) Affinity Publisher

Affinity Publisher is a strong Adobe Indesign competitor. It can be used on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can use this tool to create magazines, books, posters, brochures, stationeries, and more.

Features:

You can frame the image with intelligent scaling options.

It enables you to add more than one link together.

You can have customized formatting in your tables.

Affinity allows you to style your text across all pages in your document.

You can make any curve and type with it.

It offers artistic effects for titles.

This tool provides a baseline grid to ensure that your text is aligned.

Link:

11) Lucidpress

Lucidpress is a simple cloud-based desktop publishing software product. It is one of the best InDesign alternatives that provides one platform for creating templates for your brand. You can use this tool to customize your marketing material.

Features:

You can create a basic template from scratch effortlessly.

It allows you to lock elements of images.

You can personalize templates.

It enables you to upload brand’s logo, fonts, colors, and more.

Your colleagues can share design online.

It provides smart fields for frequently used information like name, contact info, title, and more.

You can create, print as well as send flyers, postcards, directly within Lucidpress editor.

Link:

12) Desygner

Desygner is a web-based online editor that helps users to create and design websites and marketing material. It enables you to create changes from computer, phone, or laptop. You can use this tool to change text, images, fonts, etc.

Features:

It allows you to work with layers, multiple page files, and effects.

This InDesign free alternative tool has a range of professional templates.

You can share your design through Facebook, email, Instagram, etc.

It automatically resizes your designs.

You can edit your designs from a computer, mobile, or laptop.

Link:

13) Conga Composer

Conga Composer is a tool that makes it easy to create and deliver documents, presentations, and reports. It has numerous richly formatted templates. This app allows you to consolidate, schedule, and deliver important documents.

Features:

It helps you to simplify and automate your documents and reports.

You can integrate it with CRM (Customer Relationship Management), CPQ (Configure Price Quote).

You can store files directly on Google Drive, Box, Amazon S3, Dropbox, and more.

It automatically distributes digital documents from Salesforce CRM.

Link:

14) QuarkXPress

QuarkXPress is an application that helps you to create and edit complex page layouts in a WYSIWYG environment. It is one of the best alternatives to InDesign which provides a range of responsive web design with numerous layouts.

Features:

You can design a website with HTML5 in WYSIWYG editor.

You can add effects like drop shadows, vector shapes, video, and more to your web page.

It supports for advanced typography.

You can create vector shapes and illustrations.

It allows you to use video as a website background.

QuarkXPress allows you to design responsive layouts in Android and iOS apps.

Link:

15) Piktochart

Piktochart software helps you to create infographics, posters, presentations, flyers, etc. It is one of the best InDesign competitors that enables you to create a password, protect your designs, and share them with your teammates.

Features:

It provides 1000 professionally designed templates.

You can add animated icons, interactive charts, videos, and images.

This tool helps you to collaborate with others to review your work.

You can share your work directly to your social media accounts.

Link:

16) Canvas

Canvas is an Adobe InDesign alternative that is used for creating drawings, architectural design, floor plans, and more. You can combine graphical elements in a single document. It comes with numerous technical symbols.

Features:

You can import and export numerous data formats.

Canvasgfx allows you to create, place, and edit mathematical equations.

It provides a toolset for image editing and vector illustration.

You can combine overlapping vector objects to create complex pages.

It helps you to draw vector curve paths with a brushstroke.

You can draw isomorphic projection using guides.

Link:

17) Windward studios

Windward studios is a tool that offers document automation solutions. It helps you to integrate it with your custom app or CRM. You can also use this application to create visually dynamic spreadsheets and slide shows.

Features:

It enables you to customize document content and format the way you like.

You can design your template in less time without taking the help of a programmer.

This free alternative to InDesign helps you to customize and edit your documents using the Microsoft office suite.

This tool directly works with your current data sources to generate accurate documents.

Link:

18) Scribus

Scribus is an Open Source application that helps you to design web page layout for Windows, macOS, and more. It can be used to create interactive forms and PDF presentations.

Features:

It stores data in XML format so that it can be easily analyzed using any text editor.

This application offers a reliable color management solution.

It offers numerous options related to PDF export.

Scribus provides more than 200 color pallets.

Link:

19) VivaDesigner

VivaDesigner is a typesetting and layout application. It can be used for both web and desktop applications. This program helps you to improve your working process and document management.

Features:

It can be used for all platforms, including web and desktop.

This application offers numerous layouts.

It offers an option for limiting the editing functions of the document.

You can import files from other programs such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.

Link: http://www.viva.us/en/products/desktop-publishing/vivadesigner-desktop-version

FAQs:

❓ What is Adobe InDesign?

Adobe InDesign is a typesetting and desktop publishing software tool developed by Adobe. It helps you to create flyers, posters, brochures, books, newspapers, magazines, and more. It also allows you to design various digital and printed materials like stationery, resumes, pamphlets, catalogs, interactive digital publications, EPUBs, etc.