rbk35

Had some shots enlarged to 2'X3' posters. The company wanted PDF. Just wondering why pdf.

dreklaw Loc: Tucson

It’s universal so any printer can open it to print. Also, if fonts are involved, it resolves any font issues and licensing issues. Most printers today prefer PDFs.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Nearly all graphic arts shops* print from PDF. It is a world-wide standard in that industry.

*By graphic arts, we normally mean non-photo lab, CMYK++ ink or toner printing on a litho, offset, electrostatic, or inkjet device.

PDF can encapsulate virtually any vector graphic, typographic font, or bitmapped image file (or combine several such items) onto a page layout. Photoshop is an example of an app that can read, create, and print PDFs. Save your files in PSD layered documents, and you can revisit them to update them at any time.

Consider PDF as primarily an OUTPUT format. MOST operating systems can generate a PDF directly from their print drivers. Adobe Acrobat is the standard, high-end app for advanced PDF applications. But Apple's Preview app (free with EVERY Mac) has a lot of power to edit and create PDFs, as does CutePDF Writer (freeware) on Windows.

anderzander

Thanks for the update info, I use PDF's because I'm a graphic designer, I also use Illustrator because it is a true Vector file and I do a lot of 3D work with that file and Auto Desk which is also a Vector type file for cutting and etching in 3D material. As a type designer, the Vector files are perfect for cutting out 3D typography for clients in the sign industry, this comment isn't part of the photography arena, but it may help others understanding the difference in technology and why PDF's are the standard in the printing industry. And why Vector files are great for large poster formats and billboards.

TonyBot

Isn't PDF "scalable" as well? And would that mean the print destined to be 2'x3' could just as easily be 20'30'? (of course, the "viewing distance" would come into effect here)

Just askin'

anderzander

20 feet by 30 feet is closer to billboard size and those images are always vector files because the files are smaller in size and can be scaled more easily.

TonyBot

Thanks, Ander

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Sooo, what does PDF stand for ?? Can I output PDF from Adobe Elements ??

blackest Loc: Ireland

PDF Portable Document Format and anything that can be printed can become a pdf file.

Incidentally Affinity Photo and Designer both open PDF files, Fonts can be tricky if not on the system opening the document for editing, Printing isn't an issue. You can include graphics at any DPI that the original file allows for. E.g for Print you might choose 300 DPI but if you included graphics at 600 DPI you can enlarge the page on screen without pixilation. It does make for large file sizes but it is fun when you can take a small image on the page and still have it look good at full screen.

jcarlosjr Loc: Orange County

Photoshop Elements can create a .pdf by using the SAVES AS command

kenArchi Loc: Seal Beach, CA

Is pdf the best way to send my client the finished photo? Should the photo be jpeg or tiff files?
I have been sending clients the large finished jpegs. Original file is raw, saved as tiff for pp, finish photo saved as tiff, then saved as jpeg.
I take pictures for Architects, Designers and Contractors.