Preset
Last updated on
Oct 22, 2026
Learn about the predefined Adobe PDF presets available in Adobe Illustrator and when to use them.
Adobe PDF presets are groups of saved settings that control how Illustrator creates PDF files. Each preset is designed for a specific workflow, such as high-quality printing, commercial press production, web distribution, or long-term editing.
Most Adobe PDF presets are shared across Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and Acrobat.
Available Adobe PDF presets
|
|
Purpose |
PDF version |
Image downsampling |
Transparency |
Compatibility |
|
High Quality Print |
Quality printing on desktop printers and proofing devices |
PDF 1.4 |
Color/grayscale: 300 ppiMonochrome: 1200 ppi |
Preserved |
Acrobat 5.0 and later |
|
Illustrator Default |
Preserves all Illustrator data for reopening and editing without data loss |
Varies |
None |
Preserved |
Varies |
|
PDF/X-1a (2001 and 2003) |
CMYK print production workflow with embedded fonts and specified marks/bleeds |
PDF 1.3 |
Color/grayscale: 300 ppiMonochrome: 1200 ppi |
Flattened (High Resolution) |
Acrobat 4.0 and later |
|
PDF/X-3 |
Color-managed print workflow based on ISO PDF/X-3:2002 standard |
PDF 1.3 |
Color/grayscale: 300 ppiMonochrome: 1200 ppi |
Flattened |
Acrobat 4.0 and later |
|
PDF/X-4 (2008) |
Color-managed workflow with live transparency support (ISO PDF/X-4:2008) |
PDF 1.4 |
Color/grayscale: 300 ppiMonochrome: 1200 ppi |
Preserved |
PDF/X-4 compatible viewers |
|
Press Quality |
High-quality print production for digital printing or separations |
PDF 1.4 |
Color/grayscale: 300 ppiMonochrome: 1200 ppi |
Preserved |
Acrobat 5.0 and later |
|
Rich Content PDF |
Accessible PDFs with tags, hyperlinks, bookmarks, interactive elements, and layers |
PDF 1.5 |
Optimized |
Preserved |
Acrobat 6.0 and later |
|
Smallest File Size |
Web display, intranet, or email distribution |
PDF 1.4 |
Aggressive compression and downsampling |
Varies |
Acrobat 5.0 and later |
|
Magazine Ads 2006 (Japan) |
Japanese print advertising based on Digital Data Delivery committee rules |
Varies |
Varies |
Varies |
Varies |
Adobe PDF presets
Some Adobe PDF presets are available only in Acrobat. If you import these preset files into Illustrator, some settings may not be supported.
These presets include:
- Oversized Pages
- PDF/A-1b (CMYK)
- PDF/A-1b (RGB)
- Standard
PDF/X presets
Illustrator installs additional PDF/X preset files in the Extras folder.
To make these presets available, move the required .joboptions files from the Extras folder to the Settings folder in the Adobe PDF installation directory.
- Windows: C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Adobe PDF
- macOS: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe PDF
Create a custom PDF preset
You can create custom PDF presets for workflows that require settings different from the predefined presets.
Select Edit > Adobe PDF Presets.
Select New, or select an existing preset, and then select Edit.
Configure the PDF settings and select OK.
Note
Default Adobe PDF presets can't be modified.
Export a custom PDF preset
To share a custom preset with other users:
Select Edit > Adobe PDF Presets.
Select the custom preset.
Select Export.
Illustrator saves the preset as a .joboptions file.
Import a PDF preset
To load a .joboptions file, double-click the .joboptions file or follow the steps below.
Choose Edit > Adobe PDF Presets.
Select Import.
Select the .joboptions file.
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