# Exporting a PDF from InDesign

Document bleed, Preflight, and Export as Adobe PDF (Print) - pages, not spreads.

Printdash artwork guideline. Illustrated version: https://printdash.io/artwork-guidelines#export-indesign

- Page size at the Trim Size, **Bleed** set in Document Setup, Preflight panel green.
- **File → Export → Adobe PDF (Print)**, preset **[PDF/X-4:2008]**.
- General → **Pages**, never Spreads. Marks and Bleeds → **Crop Marks** and **Use Document Bleed Settings**.

## InDesign walkthrough

1. **File → Document Setup**: page size equals the Trim Size, with **Bleed** set on all sides (click More Options if it is hidden). Facing pages is fine - you will export single pages.
   ![InDesign Document Setup dialog with bleed values](https://printdash.io/guides/indesign/01-document-setup.png)
2. Open **Window → Output → Preflight** and resolve every error - missing links, missing fonts, RGB images.
   ![InDesign Preflight panel showing no errors](https://printdash.io/guides/indesign/02-preflight.png)
3. Spot finish or Cut Line? Check the Spot Swatch names in **Window → Color → Swatches** and Overprint in **Window → Output → Attributes**.
   ![InDesign Swatches panel with a spot swatch and the Attributes panel](https://printdash.io/guides/indesign/03-swatches.png)
4. **File → Export**, choose the format **Adobe PDF (Print)** and click Save.
   ![InDesign Export dialog with Adobe PDF (Print) selected](https://printdash.io/guides/indesign/04-export.png)
5. Choose the preset **[PDF/X-4:2008]**. Under **General → Pages** select **All** and **Pages** - not Spreads.
   ![Export Adobe PDF dialog, General tab with Pages selected](https://printdash.io/guides/indesign/05-general-pages.png)
6. **Marks and Bleeds**: tick **Crop Marks**, set the Offset to at least your bleed amount, and tick **Use Document Bleed Settings**.
   ![Export Adobe PDF dialog, Marks and Bleeds tab](https://printdash.io/guides/indesign/06-marks-bleeds.png)
7. **Output**: Color Conversion **No Color Conversion**, Profile Inclusion Policy **Don't Include Profiles**. Click **Export**.
   ![Export Adobe PDF dialog, Output tab](https://printdash.io/guides/indesign/07-output.png)
8. Check the exported PDF: the page count matches your booklet or sides, each page is trim plus bleed, and there are no spreads.
   ![The exported PDF open in Acrobat showing single pages](https://printdash.io/guides/indesign/08-check.png)