Converting to PDF from Adobe Illustrator (Windows)

Owned by Courtney Morshed
Last updated: Aug 09, 2024 by Courtney Morshed
2 min read

In Adobe Illustrator, you can save or export your artwork as a PDF file, and this process essentially "flattens" the document into a single, editable PDF file. Here are the steps to save or export a 
flattened PDF in Illustrator:

Remember, flattening is irreversible. Always keep a backup of your original Illustrator file before making significant changes or exporting to a different format. If you need to maintain the ability to edit the content in the future, make sure to keep a copy of the original Illustrator (.ai) file.

You must have your EID at the beginning of every file you submit. We will not release any incorrectly named plots. EX: EID_filename

Step-by-step guide

  1.  Open the Illustrator file that you want to flatten.
  2. Make sure you have reviewed your layers and merged or rasterized any layers that need to be flattened. Flattening will combine all visible objects into a single layer.
  3. Press `Ctrl + A` (Windows) or `Command + A` (Mac) to select all the elements on your artboard.
  4. Go to the "Object" menu, click "Flatten Transparency".
  5. Check “Convert All Text to Outlines” and “Convert All Strokes to Outlines” in the Flatten Transparency dialog box.
  6. Uncheck “Preserve Alpha Transparency” and “Preserve Overprints and Spot Colors.”
  7. Select "High Resolution" or "Medium Resolution" based on your preference. This will flatten the artwork by merging overlapping objects and reducing transparency.
  8. After flattening, go to the "File" menu, select "Save As," and choose "Adobe PDF" as the format. Follow the prompts to save your file.
  9. In the PDF save dialog, you may encounter additional options. Ensure that the settings meet your requirements. For example, you might choose the PDF/X-1a:2001 preset for print.
  10.  Click "Save" to save the PDF file with the flattened artwork.