Pdf/X-, Pdf/A-, And Pdf/E-Compliant Files - Adobe 62000236 Using Manual

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PDF/X-, PDF/A-, and PDF/E-compliant files

About PDF/X, PDF/E, and PDF/A standards
PDF/X, PDF/E, and PDF/A standards are defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). PDF/X
standards apply to graphic content exchange; PDF/E standards apply to the interactive exchange of engineering
documents; PDF/A standards apply to long-term archiving of electronic documents. During PDF conversion, the file
that is being processed is checked against the specified standard. If the PDF does not meet the selected ISO standard,
you are prompted to either cancel the conversion or create a non-compliant file.
The most widely used standards for a print publishing workflow are several PDF/X formats: PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, and
(in 2008) PDF/X-4. The most widely used standards for PDF archiving are PDF/A-1a and PDF/A-1b (for less stringent
requirements). Currently, the only version of PDF/E is PDF/E-1.
Note: For more information on PDF/X, PDF/E, and PDF/A, see the ISO and AIIM websites.
Convert PDFs to PDF/X, PDF/A, or PDF/E
You can validate PDF content against PDF/X, PDF/A, or PDF/E criteria. You can also save a copy of the PDF as
PDF/X, PDF/A, or PDF/E, provided it complies with the specified requirements. For example, under certain
circumstances, an ICC profile that describes the destination device is required for PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, and PDF/X-4
compliance. If your document doesn't have an embedded ICC output profile, you can embed one before saving.
You can convert a PDF to a standards-compliant PDF using the Standards wizard. This wizard explains the intents of
specific formats as it guides you through the process. If you are familiar with the standards, you can use a built-in
profile, or a profile created via the wizard, to convert a PDF.
Note: You can also create PDF/X-, PDF/A-, and PDF/E-compliant files using Acrobat Distiller.
For a shortcut on creating PDF/X-, PDF/A-, and PDF/E-compliant files, see Donna Baker's
Shortcuts.
For a video on creating PDF/X-compliant PDFs using Preflight, see www.adobe.com/go/lrvid4083_a9.
More Help topics
"Adobe PDF settings" on page 102
Convert to PDF/X, PDF/A, or PDF/E using a profile
1 In the Preflight dialog box, click Profiles.
Expand a compliance profile and select the profile you want. For example, under PDF/A Compliance, select
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Convert To PDF/A-1b (sRGB).
Click Analyze And Fix.
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Convert to PDF/X, PDF/A, or PDF/E using a wizard
In the Preflight dialog box, click Standards.
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Select Save As PDF/X, Save As PDF/A, or Save As PDF/E, and then click Continue.
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3 Specify the version and click Continue.
Select a conversion profile and one of the available viewing or printing conditions.
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Last updated 9/30/2011
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