{"id":1943,"date":"2021-02-15T09:00:55","date_gmt":"2021-02-15T14:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/theprintshop\/?post_type=cu_story&p=1943"},"modified":"2026-04-01T12:54:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T16:54:57","slug":"ensure-the-best-print-results-with-a-pdf-file","status":"publish","type":"cu_story","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/theprintshop\/story\/ensure-the-best-print-results-with-a-pdf-file\/","title":{"rendered":"Ensure the Best Print Results with a PDF File"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Ensure the Best Print Results with a PDF File\n <\/h1>\n \n <\/header>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/path>\n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

What is a PDF File<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PDF stands for portable document format. This is the best type of file to send to any printer. PDF files can be seen on any platform, ensures that what you send is what your finished product will look like and also ensures there will not be any re-formatting of your document, which is often seen with programs such as Microsoft Word when being viewed on different computers. If your page is formatted for the correct page size, and it is sent as a PDF file, your print job will come out the way you planned it to.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different Ways to Save Your PDF File<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are different ways to save your file as a PDF. This changes slightly depending on the software being used. We will explain how to save your file as a PDF in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Word, Google Docs<\/a>, and Canva<\/a>. For the best quality we recommend saving as a PDF\/X-1a:2001.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe Illustrator<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Using the Save As Feature in Adobe Illustrator<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Click \u2018File\u2019 and then \u2018Save As\u2019<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Choose the location in which you want to save the document<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Name the file<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Select \u2018Adobe PDF (*.PDF)\u2019 in the \u2018Save as type\u2019 dropdown menu<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Click \u2018Save\u2019 and this brings you to the Adobe \u2018Save Adobe PDF\u2019 window<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Ensure \u2018PDF\/X-1a:2001\u2019 is selected in the \u2018Adobe PDF Preset\u2019 dropdown menu<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. If your document has a bleed, ensure to add bleed and marks to your document in the \u2018Marks and Bleeds\u2019 tab. Set your desired bleed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Finally, click \u2018Save PDF\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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    \"Illustrator<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

    Adobe InDesign<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Using the Export Feature in Adobe Indesign<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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    1. Click \u2018File\u2019 and then \u2018Save As\u2019<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Choose the location in which you want to save the document<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Name the file<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Select \u2018Adobe PDF (*.PDF)\u2019 in the \u2018Save as type\u2019 dropdown menu<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Click \u2018Save\u2019 and this brings you to the Adobe \u2018Export Adobe PDF\u2019 window<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Ensure \u2018PDF\/X-1a:2001\u2019 is selected in the \u2018Adobe PDF Preset\u2019 dropdown menu<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. If your document has a bleed, ensure to add bleed and marks to your document in the \u2018Marks and Bleeds\u2019 tab. Set your desired bleed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    8. Finally, click \u2018Export\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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      \"InDesign<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

      Microsoft Word<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Using the Save As Feature in Microsoft Word<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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      1. Click \u2018File\u2019 and then \u2018Save As\u2019<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Choose the location in which you want to save the document<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Name the file<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Select \u2018PDF\u2019 in the \u2018File Format\u2019 dropdown menu<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Finally, click \u2018Export\u2019<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        \"how<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
        \"how<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Using the Print Feature in Microsoft Word<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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        1. Click \u2018File\u2019 and then \u2018Print\u2019<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Change the \u2018Printer\u2019 dropdown menu to \u2018Adobe PDF\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Select \u2018Print\u2019 and the \u2018Save PDF File As\u2019 window will pop up<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Choose the location in which you want to save the document<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        5. Name the file<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        6. Select \u2018PDF files (*.PDF)\u2019 in the \u2018Save as type\u2019 dropdown menu<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        7. Finally, click \u2018Save\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
          \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

          Google Docs<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Using the Download Feature in Google Docs <\/a><\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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          1. Ensure your file is titled what you want it to be<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. Click \u2018File\u2019, then \u2018Download\u2019, and then \u2018PDF Document (.pdf)\u2019<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          3. This file will then download as a PDF and will automatically go to your download folder<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          4. You will have to manually move your PDF file to the file you want it to stay in<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            Canva<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            Using the Download Feature in Canva<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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            1. Ensure your file is titled what you want it to be<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. Click \u2018Download\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            3. Select \u2018PDF Print\u2019 as your file type in the \u2018File type\u2019 dropdown menu<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            4. Click the \u2018Crop marks and bleed\u2019 box\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            5. Select \u2018Download\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            6. This file will then download as a PDF and will automatically go to your download folder<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            7. You will have to manually move your PDF file to the file you want it to stay in<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
              \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

              You can submit your print job on our website<\/a> or by contacting us<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n