Signs of the Times - June 2015 - 40

Software Update
By Theresa Jackson

Photoshop PDF for Print Output

et's get one thing straight: Photoshop is the
wrong application for print-design layout. The
reason is widely misunderstood because Photoshop
allows you to stylize text, draw vector shapes and
place vector graphics in your design - but just
because you can, doesn't mean you should. Simply
said, creating and working with vectors inside of
Photoshop is easy; getting vector content to output
for print is difficult.
Why not other file formats?
.JPEG, .PNG and flattened .TIFF formats rasterize all
content. They comprise .BMP data made up of pixels
only. PNG can include transparency, but a .JPEG or
flattened .TIFF can't.
Photoshop (.PSD) and a layered .TIFF may contain
layers, transparency, vector shapes and fonts, but it
renders as pixels at output. Place a .PSD or .TIFF into
a layout application (like Illustrator or InDesign), and
everything in the file becomes pixels.
Encapsulated postscript (.EPS) is outdated technology
for print output. EPS may include vector and bitmap
information, but it can't contain transparency, or
embed font and ICC profiles. A Photoshop file saved
as EPS loses all further editability, because, when
reopened, the software rasterizes the content.
When Photoshop is, or isn't, a vector
Text and shape layers, including custom shapes, are
vectors, and Photoshop PDF supports this vector content.
Placed or embedded Illustrator Smart Object vectors
remain so while inside Photoshop. This means that you
can scale an illustrator Smart Object down to 5% and
back up to 1,000%, without losing data or degrading
the content. However, Smart Object content is always
rendered as pixels. You can't output Smart Object
content as vectors.
Masked layers, or objects with layer effects, may
partially or completely render as pixels.
How to properly save a Photoshop PDF for print
Saving a Photoshop PDF requires specific settings in
several dialog boxes, but choose the correct options;
otherwise, the resulting PDF conversion will flatten
and rasterize everything.
1) Under the "File" menu, choose the "Save As" option.
Under "Format," choose "Photoshop PDF". Be sure
to check the "Layers" option.
2) Choose the Adobe PDF Preset (high-quality print).
3) Under "Options", check "Preserve Photoshop Editing
Capabilities". If this box is not checked, you will
40 SIGNS OF THE TIMES June 2015

Theresa Jackson
operates Orchard View
Color (Escondido, CA)
and has more than
20 years' experience
in prepress, graphic
design, color management and photography.
Email her at Theresa@
orchardviewcolor.com

lose the layers you saved in step one. Also, uncheck
any other options in this panel.
4) Double-check the compression options in the
compression tab.
For optimal quality, turn off the .JPEG compression.
Note, however, that the default settings automatically
down samples to 300 ppi, with .JPEG compression.
Also, consider that your output device may require a
lower resolution.
Photoshop PDFs have a tendency to become overcomplicated, which can cause RIP problems; therefore,
it may be necessary to simplify the .PSD before
saving the PDF.
To reduce the file size, hide all possible text and
shape layers, without affecting the surrounding art.
Next, merge the remaining layers.
In the Layer palette, select the options (upper rightside arrow) and choose "Merge Visible". After merging,
show the layers and, if everything looks okay, save
the file as a Photoshop PDF.
What about transparency?
The above steps create a PDF file that's essentially
identical to your working .PSD. All layered content
and transparency is retained, and the file can be
reopened in Photoshop, if further editing is required.
Note, however, that such a file type requires output
through a RIP that supports transparency (typically,
older RIPs don't support transparency). If your RIP
doesn't, or you're unsure, choose the PDF/X-1a:2001
setting when saving the Photoshop PDF.
Choosing PDF/X-1a flattens the file; it also scraps
any further Photoshop editing capabilities. All layers
are lost, and reopening the file in Photoshop will
rasterize the content.
Further, any vector content with an opacity setting
less than 100% will be merged and rasterized into the
content layer below it. Note that layer-blend modes,
other than normal, are treated the same way.
Conclusion
Photoshop was designed as a .BMP editor and does its
best work handling pixels.
All things considered, it's no wonder that many
artists have a difficult time distinguishing the bitmap
and vector uses, and even more difficulty in understanding how a Save decision affects output. When
saved correctly, Photoshop PDF is an adequate printoutput solution for Photoshop layouts, but selecting
the proper application is an even better solution. n

Signs of the Times - June 2015

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