What is PDF/X? PDF/X-1a vs PDF/X-4

What it means for your file

Exporting as PDF/X catches many of the problems printers reject files for. PDF/X-1a flattens transparency and allows only CMYK and spot colors; PDF/X-4 keeps transparency live. Ask your printer which version they prefer.

An example

In InDesign, File → Export → Adobe PDF (Print), then pick the PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-4:2008 preset and turn on bleed and crop marks under Marks and Bleeds. PDF/X-1a converts everything to CMYK and spot colors and flattens transparency; PDF/X-4 can keep RGB images with their color profile and live transparency, which modern print systems handle better.

A common mistake

Choosing a PDF/X preset and assuming the file is now print-ready. The standard makes sure fonts are embedded and colors are defined, but it doesn’t add bleed, raise image resolution or move text away from the trim: those still have to be right in the artwork.

How to fix it

If your printer sent the file back saying “Please send a print-ready PDF,” the fix page has the step-by-step way to do it yourself, and a fixed price if you’d rather have it done.

How to fix “Please send a print-ready PDF” →

Where else it comes up

• “The transparency needs flattening”
• “The PDF has no trim box”
• “The PDF has comments or form fields”
• “The font can’t be embedded (license restrictions)”
• “The PDF has no output intent (or the wrong profile)”
• “The PDF is password protected (secured)”
• “IngramSpark rejected my file”
• “My design doesn’t fit MOO’s template”

Related terms

• Preflight
• Bleed
• Print-ready
• Trim size
• Safe area (safe zone)