If you want to fine-tune the creation of the PDF with Distiller parameters or pdfmark operators, first create a PostScript file and then convert that file to PDF. For details, download the Adobe Acrobat 8 SDK or specific parts of it, such as the pdfmark Reference Manual, from various tabs on the Acrobat SDK documentation page (English only) on the Adobe website.

In authoring applications such as Adobe InDesign, use the Print command with the Adobe PDF printer to convert a file to PostScript. The Print dialog boxes can vary from application to application. For instructions on creating a PostScript file from your specific application, see the application’s documentation.

Keep the following guidelines in mind when creating PostScript files:

• Use PostScript Language Level 3 whenever possible to take advantage of the most advanced features of PostScript.

• Use the Adobe PDF printer as your PostScript printer.

• (Windows) Send the fonts used in the document.

• Give a PostScript file the same name as the original document, but with the extension .ps. (Some applications use a .prn extension instead.)

• Use color and custom page sizes that are available with the Acrobat Distiller 8.0 PPD file. Other PPD files may cause inappropriate colors, fonts, or page sizes in the PDF.

• Send PostScript files as 8-bit binary data when using FTP to transfer the files between computers, especially if the platforms are different, to avoid converting line feeds to carriage returns or vice versa.