PDF File Specifications

> >

PDF File Specifications for the R-POD

Click here to view the Lightning Source file creation guide to creating print ready PDF content and cover files.

Click here to view the PDF version of the PDF file specifications listed on this page.

1)      PDF files only.
2)      Files must be PDF/X-1-a:2001 compliant. The most reliable way to create a PDF/X-1-a:2001 file requires the use of
         Adobe Acrobat Distiller Professional Version 7 or newer.
3)      To create PDF/X-1a: 2001 files using Adobe InDesign: use the "export to PDF" feature and choose the
         PDF/x-1a:2001 setting. It is important to use this PDF setting to ensure you have a stable PDF for printing.
4)      To create PDF/X-1a: 2001 files using QuarkXPress: exporting to PDF has shown some errors with fonts when sent to the
         printer/rip. We recommend either: (1) print directly to PDF using PDF/x-1a:2001, or (2) print to PostScript file, then distill to
         PDF using PDF/x-1a:2001.
5)      To create PDF/X-1a: 2001 files using All other applications: we recommend either: (1) printing directly to PDF using
         PDF/x-1a:2001, or (2) printing to PostScript file, then distilling to PDF using PDF/x-1a:2001.
6)      Before creating a PDF in any of the above options, we recommend converting all custom/spot colors (even those with
         transparencies) to CMYK. The above recommendations should allow you to produce a solid and stable PDF that is ready
         to print.
7)      Fonts should be embedded in all files.
8)     Document should not use any of the following: Transparency, Form Fields, Layers, Annotations, JavaScripts, Calibrated Color,
         OPI Comments/References, ICC Profiles, Halftone Phases or Transfer Functions.
9)      All document pages must be exactly the same page size, and are precise (i.e. 8.500” x 11.000”).
10)    Document must be provided in the proper “viewable” orientation (portrait or landscape).
11)    All pages must be oriented consistently (all portrait or all landscape based on predominant orientation).
12)    Color files - CMYK colors only – no spot colors allowed.
13)    All images should have a resolution of 300 dpi/ppi.
14)    Interior pages should be built to bleed dimensions.
15)    No trim marks, registration marks, color bars or document information should be present.
16)    Please ensure that you have an even page count – divisible by two.
17)    Leave the last page blank, to allow for barcode that the printer requires adding to ensure that your cover content and interior
         content match.
18)    Pages must be created in a single page, 1-up format, no facing pages for scanned books.
19)    Please allow .50” safety margin around all four sides of content in interior pages.
20)    All text (including headers, footers, rules, and page numbers), graphic elements and images must be inside of the .50” margin.
21)    Text at the bind side (Left side for Odd Pages/ Right Side for Even Pages) should be .625” from the Trim.
22)    For color pages with Bleed, Graphics, Illustrations, and color intended to print to the edge of page should bleed .25” past the
         Trim at the Top, Bottom, and Outer edge of page.
23)    For color, no ink within .125” of the Bind Side of the page (Left side for Odd Pages/Right side for Even Pages).
24)    Bleed on inside pages not recommended.
25)    NO PASSWORD SECURITY OR ENCRYPTION ON FILES PLEASE.
26)    No file size larger than 400MB.
27)    Please use vector, tiff or eps image files. No jpegs, gifs or pngs as these are highly compressed and not suitable for print.
28)    Please size images appropriately for your design. If it appears 2” wide, please make sure the image is sized in an image
         editor, such as Photoshop, to 2” wide. Images larger than they appear in print will cause pdf sizes to dramatically (and
         unnecessarily) increase.

©2011 NACS Media Solutions
500 E. Lorain St., Oberlin, OH 44074 | phone (800) 622-7498 | fax (440) 775-4769
webteam@nacsmediasolutions.com