If you are using Acrobat Distiller 6.0, you may use the PDF/X-1a settings which is packaged as part of the software's preset settings. Please note that if your file fails to produce a PDF/X1-a compliant file, it will need to be fixed in your original design file. This does NOT take a file and "fix" broken pieces. It simply creates a PDF file and checks that it meets a complete set of standards and variables needed to preflight the job.
Furthermore, it will not eliminate ALL of the common errors. For instance, it may permit use of a fifth color (or fifth plate) but if the file is to be printed on a four color press, the file is still WRONG even though it meets the X-1a standards. Also there is no limitations on resolution so if the file contains 72 dpi images, it will pass the standards but the images will still not print with press quality.
File you must create a Postscript file (.ps extension) that must be distilled using Acrobat Distiller. Ensuring a successful file at the end requires using the proper PPD. Acrobat Distiller PPD (included with the installation) ensures a device independant PDF file. Other PPD's may result in incorrect color, font and page information.
Once your postscript file is created, make sure that you set the desired settings in Acrobat Distiller then drop and drag the postscript file on the window and the program will create the final file and prepare a log informing you of the status of the PDF creation. Depending on the setting on your operating system and/or programs, this process may be done automatically for you (creating a ps and automatically opening Acrobat Distiller to make your PDF file.
Option 2:
If the above options do not seem to create a file that works, try these setting geared for our workflow. These settings can be used directly in Acrobat Distiller (simply drop the settings into the Distiller window) or any programs PDF Creation process which accept native Acrobat Distiller settings.
Option 3:
This is specific to your design program. Some professional (and semi-professional) programs have built in tools to create a PDF file from directly from within the program. While the process is not created by Adobe who created the PDF concept, they will work to varying degrees in an attempt to comply with the PDF standards.
You will need to check with your software instructions as to how to do it from within your program. Hopefully the information contained in these pages will help as a guideline as to what settings would be needed.
