How to create a press-ready PDF from a Photoshop file

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Converting Photoshop files to press-ready PDFs is a breeze, and it only takes about four steps.

 

Just a quick note before we get started: please make sure that you have set up your Photoshop file correctly, as it will be no good if you create a press-ready PDF from your Photoshop file, but the file is not correctly formatted (see our How to Prepare Your Adobe Photoshop Files page and/or our Photoshop and bleeds page)

  

Below is the Photoshop file that we want converted to a press-ready PDF. As you can see, the Photoshop files is a business card.

 

First, choose: "File" > "Save As ...".

  

You will get a screen shot that is similar to the below picture.

There will be a "Format" drop-down menu, and you must select "Photoshop PDF" (see the above image).

Give your file a name, and then click "Save".

 

You will then get a screen shot similar to the below image.

Select "Press Quality" in the "Adobe PDF Present" drop-down menu.

   

Next, click once on the "Compression" area (see left red arrow on the below image).

    

Then ensure that the lowest compression is at 300 pixels per inch (see right red arrow on above image) — you must NEVER have the compression at anything below 300. It can be above 300, but NEVER below.

Lastly, click "Save", and you will get a press-ready PDF from your Photoshop file.

You can now send your Press-ready PDF off to your commercial printing company.