Same design, different destinations—set it up right.
Adobe InDesign lets you create beautiful layouts for both print and digital publishing. But exporting correctly for each use case is critical—otherwise, you risk blurry images, oversized files, or print disasters.
In this guide, you’ll learn the key differences between exporting for print vs. web, and which settings to adjust for crisp, clean, and purpose-ready output every time.
🖨️ Exporting for Print: What to Know
When preparing a file for professional printing, your export needs to match press requirements. That means:
- CMYK color mode
- High-resolution images (300 DPI)
- Bleeds and crop marks
- Embedded fonts or outlined text
✅ Recommended Export Settings (PDF for Print)
- File > Export
- Format: Adobe PDF (Print)
- Use preset: [High Quality Print] or [Press Quality]
- Under Marks and Bleeds:
- Check Crop Marks
- Check Use Document Bleed Settings
- Under Compression:
- Downsample images above 300 ppi
- Set quality to Maximum
- Under Output:
- Set Color Conversion: “Convert to Destination (Preserve Numbers)”
- Destination: U.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2 or your printer’s specified profile
Don’t forget to ask your printer for PDF/X standards if they require them.
🌐 Exporting for Web or Digital: What to Know
When your layout will live online—on a website, in an email, or as an interactive PDF—you need:
- RGB color mode
- Compressed images for faster loading
- Clickable links and buttons
- No printer marks or bleeds
✅ Recommended Export Settings (PDF for Web)
- File > Export
- Format: Adobe PDF (Interactive) (or Print with adjustments)
- Use preset: [Smallest File Size] (or make custom)
- Under Compression:
- Downsample to 150 or 96 ppi
- Medium image quality
- Under General:
- Include Hyperlinks and Bookmarks
- Set pages to View After Export and Fit Page
- Color Output:
- Use RGB (sRGB IEC61966-2.1)
You can also export as JPG, PNG, or EPUB, depending on the platform.
🔄 Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Web / Digital | |
|---|---|---|
| Color Mode | CMYK | RGB |
| Image Resolution | 300 ppi | 96–150 ppi |
| Bleeds & Crop Marks | Required | Not needed |
| File Size | Larger (high-res) | Smaller (optimized) |
| Hyperlinks | Optional | Essential |
| Export Format | PDF (Print) | PDF (Interactive), PNG, or JPG |
🧠 Pro Tips
- Use Export Presets to save time when switching between formats
- Always test digital exports on real devices and screen sizes
- Ask printers for a PDF proof approval before final print
- Use interactive buttons, videos, and links only for web/digital output
- Consider accessibility tagging for digital documents
📘 Final Thought
Exporting isn’t just the last step—it’s the moment your design goes live. By tailoring your settings for print or web, you ensure your work looks professional, prints correctly, and performs as expected—no matter the medium.
Design smart. Export smarter.
