How to Export a PDF/X-4 from InDesign

Essential steps to make sure you produce a correct PDF/X-4 from Adobe InDesign, along with the bleeds, printer's marks, and the colour profile we expect for offset printing. PDF/X-4 is the current standard for delivering files to a print shop. Unlike older formats such as PDF/X-1a, it supports live transparency, ICC colour profiles, and modern compression. Here is exactly how to set it up in Adobe InDesign.

Before Export — Document Setup

Before opening the Export dialog, verify:

• Bleed: File → Document Setup → Bleed. Set 5 mm on all sides. This bleed should be set before you create the document — Adobe InDesign won't auto-generate bleed where none exists!
• Colour mode: all printing presses use CMYK, so your images need to be converted to CMYK. If you'd rather not do it yourself, the print shop will automatically convert your RGB images to CMYK, going from your assigned RGB profile to the Output Intent Profile defined at export. (Coated FOGRA39 (ISO 12647-2:2004))
• Resolution: all raster images should be at 300 dpi at 100% scale.
• Spot colours: if you use Pantone colours that you do not want printed as spot, convert them to CMYK via Window → Swatches → select the spot you want → Swatch Options → Process.

Exporting

Go to File → Export and choose Adobe PDF (Print).

General Tab

• Adobe PDF Preset: start from [PDF/X-4:2008]
• Standard: PDF/X-4:2010
• Compatibility: Acrobat 7 (PDF 1.6) or higher

Marks and Bleeds Tab

• Crop Marks
• Bleed Marks
• Bleed: Use Document Bleed Settings (should show 5 mm on all sides)

Output Tab

• Colour Conversion: No Conversion (the print shop handles conversion)
• Profile Inclusion Policy: Include Destination Profile
• PDF/X Output Intent Profile Name: Coated FOGRA39 (ISO 12647-2:2004) — the European offset standard

Note: Some print shops use FOGRA51. Confirm with your printer. Spektar uses FOGRA39.

Checking After Export

Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro:

1. Output Preview: set the simulation profile to FOGRA39. Check total ink coverage — it must not exceed 340%.
2. Preflight: run the PDF/X-4 profile to verify compliance.

Checklist

• 5 mm bleed on all sides
• All images CMYK; RGB with a profile (no Device RGB!), 300 dpi recommended
• Colour profile: FOGRA39
• Standard: PDF/X-4:2008
• No untagged RGB, no missing fonts, total ink ≤ 340%