ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

I need to create a PDF image with 300ppi and 1650 pixels long (for 5.5 inches).

I created my PSD that way; when I saved in Adobe PDF format, I got 300ppi but only 396 pixels long. (Of course when it was expanded to 5.5 inches the PPI went way down and was terrible.)

I've searched here, but no one seems to have cared about keeping pixels and PPI after conversion to PDF.

The same thing happens if I use JPG rather than PSD.

In the options for the conversion I specify no compression, but it does not seem to care. What else ????

wylie Loc: Canada

If you are using Acrobat Distiller to create your pdf files you can retain the pixel count.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

I think I know the answer, but could be wrong.
I think you have set the image size to 1650 pixels x whatever at 300 pixels per CENTIMETER instead of 300 pixels per INCH

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Make sure your PDF export setting is high quality print. PPI is preserved. Your setting might have been "Smallest File."

ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

Hmmm. I don't have Distiller, but why did PS reduce the inches?

Well, PPI means Pixels per Inch. Anyway, the long side went from 5.5" to 1.3" and I don't see in what way 2.54cm/inch can produce that effect.

I set "high quality" but I don't remember seeing "smallest file" option. But I'll look again.

Thanks to all for looking at the problem. I was afraid it would be too techie for the group. And my post did not appear in the daily summary.

UtahBob Loc: Southern NJ

396 / 72 is 5.5 so somewhere PS / adobe is formating for screen rather than print. What are you using to get from PS to the PDF program wise?

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

After reading all of the responses, I am not sure I actually 'know' the answer, but as another possible solution I would suggest that you try downloading and installing "PrimoPDF". This program installs a PDF Printer onto your system. Then when you have the PSD file open, just use the "Print" option and select "PrimoPDF" as the printer, then you can tell it where to save the file and what to name it. Or you could install CutePDF Writer which is a similar FREE printer driver setup. Makes it super easy to create pdf files from any program that can print.

ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

Good point! I used the 'Save As' in PS, then specified highest quality with no compression.

So, when I sent the 22.92" image to the conversion, and got back my 1650 pixels, they'll print at 72 dpi??? Egad.

ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

I contacted a friend with Illustrator, so maybe that will work. Or must it be Distiller?

But I'll also check out these other programs. Has anyone used them? Any problems???

ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

Alas, these are not good for Mac operating systems.

But thanks.

UtahBob Loc: Southern NJ

So I was in a position to test my thoughts this morning. Using CS2 on a Mac I created an image 1000x1650. Saved it to PDF using the save-as in CS2 and used the High Quality Print preset. That got me a PDF that when viewed using Adobe Reader on screen at 100% is 5.5 inches. It also prints at 5.5 inches. If opened with Preview (Mac) it also starts off at a 5.5 inch view of the image.

If I change the downsampling from 300 to 72 ppi (for images above - changed to 72) I get an image that is 5.5 inches on screen at 100% but is a tad softer - but if zoomed to 400% the 72 ppi created image is definitely downsampled.

Since your problem is with jpg file saves also, the only thing I can think of is that somehow you are resampling the image when you are attempting to set the 1650 pixel size but I don't know how that might be if you see the final psd file in PS at 300 ppi.

I'd suggest that you provide the image file, the resized psd and the pdf originals here and maybe we can see something in them or try and recreate your issue. Does this happen with every file you do this with or is this specific to one file. Did you get the image from somewhere else - I've seen crazy behavior as a result of an image that was saved and resaved in different formats so maybe? If it is just this image, then I'd suspect that somehow and go back and get the original jpg or raw and start over. If you don't want to send the files you are working on and it happens generically, you could use just any old image created with the same workflow.

Btw, why do you need the pdf? Is the printer requesting that? Often they will want the pdf because when printing banners, etc. the font info will go with it and look crisp when blown up but if it is just an image, they should be able to take a jpg if they are printing to a certain size.

ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

Here are the two files: the psd and the pdf. I removed some proprietary info from the image.

the psd 5.5" long 300ppi
Attached file:
(Download)

the pdf 1.3" long 300ppi
Attached file:
(Download)

ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

The want only a pdf with 300ppi and 5.5" long side. They don't want to be responsible for any conversions or "post processing". It's a placement in an event program blurb.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Your pdf opened in Photoshop at 5.5" @ 300ppi and printed the same - no problems or difficulties

For your information: pdf files are required by commercial printers with embedded fonts so pages can be auto-imposed without any further conversion. In recent history incoming files would have to be made up onto pages as Postcript II files and further imposed. Pdfs save many hours in the repro studios - and money.

If jpgs were supplied, the printer would have to convert them to pdf or Postscript.

ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

But if you look at the metadata with Bridge, you'll see it says the long side is 396 pixels at 300ppi. I need 1650 pixels.

Something happens when Photoshop itself looks at the file, I guess. Frus-ter-ating! In PS, it says 1650 pixels, 300ppi, and 5.5" but the printer does not use the psd.