Revolutionary Method: How to Save Adobe XD as PDF

Adobe XD is a powerful design tool that allows you to create stunning prototypes and mockups for websites, mobile apps, and more. But what good is a beautiful design if you can’t share it easily? This is where knowing how to save Adobe XD as PDF comes in handy. A PDF format allows you to share your designs with clients, developers, or anyone else who might need to see your work, without worrying about compatibility issues or losing any formatting.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the steps you need to know to save your Adobe XD designs as PDFs, ensuring that your designs are presented flawlessly. We’ll cover everything from basic export options to advanced techniques that allow you to customize your PDF output for specific needs.

The Basics: Exporting Your Design as a PDF

The simplest way to save your Adobe XD design as a PDF is to use the built-in export function. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Open your XD file: Start by opening the XD document you want to export as a PDF.
2. Navigate to the “File” menu: In the top menu bar, click on “File.”
3. Select “Export”: From the dropdown menu, choose “Export.”
4. Choose “PDF”: In the export options, select “PDF” as your output format.
5. Customize your settings: You can adjust various settings like:

• “Document size”: Choose between “Actual Size” to preserve the original size of your design or “Fit to Page” to scale your design to fit the PDF page.
• “Range”: Select whether to export the entire document, specific artboards, or a selection of elements.
• “Resolution”: Adjust the resolution of your PDF, which determines the quality of the exported image. A higher resolution will result in a larger file size but better image quality.

6. Select a location to save your file: Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the exported PDF file.
7. Click “Export”: Once you’ve configured all the settings, click “Export” to begin the process.

Advanced PDF Export Techniques: Beyond the Basics

While the basic export method is sufficient for many scenarios, Adobe XD offers advanced features that allow you to customize your PDF exports even further.

1. Exporting with Interactive Prototypes

If your design includes interactive elements like buttons, links, or animations, you can export your Adobe XD prototype as a PDF that retains these interactions. This allows you to share a more engaging and interactive experience with your audience.

To export with interactive prototypes:

1. Open the “Export” window: Follow the steps above to open the export window.
2. Select “Interactive PDF“: Choose “Interactive PDF” as your export format.
3. Configure your settings: You can customize the settings to control how your interactions are presented in the PDF.
4. Export: Click “Export” to generate your interactive PDF.

2. Exporting Specific Artboards

You might not always need to export your entire XD document as a PDF. Perhaps you only want to share a specific artboard with a client or collaborator. Adobe XD allows you to export individual artboards as separate PDF files.

To export specific artboards:

1. Open the “Export” window: Follow the steps above to open the export window.
2. Choose “Selected Artboards“: Select “Selected Artboards” as your export range.
3. Select the artboards you want to export: Click on the artboards you want to include in the PDF.
4. Customize your settings: Configure the other settings as needed.
5. Export: Click “Export” to generate the PDF for the selected artboards.

Optimizing Your PDF Exports for Different Use Cases

The way you export your Adobe XD design as a PDF can significantly impact how it is viewed and used. Here are some tips for optimizing your PDF exports for different use cases:

1. For Print: High-Resolution PDFs for Quality Reproduction

If you’re planning to print your design, it’s crucial to export your Adobe XD file as a high-resolution PDF. This ensures that your design is printed with crisp details and sharp lines.

Here’s how to optimize for print:

• Set a high resolution: In the “Export” window, choose a resolution of at least 300 DPI (dots per inch).
• Use a color profile suitable for printing: Select a color profile that aligns with your printing needs, such as CMYK.
• Consider bleed and crop marks: If you’re planning to have your design professionally printed, you might need to add bleed and crop marks to your PDF. These markings help ensure that your design is printed correctly, even after trimming.

2. For Online Sharing: Compact PDFs for Easy Downloading

If you’re sharing your design online, you want to ensure that your PDF is easy to download and view. A large PDF file can take a long time to download, which can frustrate your audience.

Here’s how to optimize for online sharing:

• Choose a lower resolution: For online sharing, a resolution of 72 DPI is usually sufficient.
• Use a smaller file size: You can reduce the file size of your PDF by using a more compact compression method, such as JPEG or PNG.
• Consider using a PDF viewer that supports interactive elements: If you’re sharing an interactive prototype, make sure that your audience uses a PDF viewer that can display these elements.

Understanding PDF Export Options: Choosing the Right Settings

Adobe XD gives you several options when it comes to exporting your design as a PDF. Understanding these options will help you choose the right settings for your particular needs.

1. Document Size: Fit to Page or Actual Size?

The “Document size” setting determines how your design is scaled in the PDF.

• “Actual Size”: This setting preserves the original size of your design, ensuring that all elements are displayed at their intended dimensions.
• “Fit to Page”: This setting scales your design to fit the PDF page. This is useful if you want to ensure that your entire design is visible on a single page, even if it exceeds the page dimensions.

2. Range: Exporting All, Some, or Selected Elements

The “Range” setting allows you to control which parts of your XD document are included in the PDF.

• “Entire Document”: This setting exports all the artboards in your XD document.
• “Selected Artboards”: This setting exports only the artboards you have selected.
• “Selection”: This setting exports only the elements you have selected, such as specific shapes, text, or images.

Beyond Export: Leveraging Adobe XD’s PDF Capabilities

While exporting your design as a PDF is a crucial step, Adobe XD also offers other features that enhance your ability to work with PDFs.

1. Importing PDFs into Adobe XD

You can import existing PDF files into your Adobe XD design, allowing you to use them as reference images or even incorporate them as part of your design. This allows you to work with existing content and seamlessly integrate it into your XD projects.

2. Using Adobe XD’s PDF Preview Feature

Adobe XD allows you to preview your design as a PDF before you actually export it. This feature is incredibly useful for ensuring that your design looks as expected in the PDF format and for identifying any potential issues before you share it with others.

Final Thoughts: Unlocking the Power of PDF with Adobe XD

By mastering the art of saving Adobe XD as PDF, you can transform your designs into shareable, presentable, and interactive documents. Whether you’re sharing your work with clients, developers, or colleagues, understanding the nuances of PDF export will ensure that your vision is communicated effectively and your designs are presented in the best possible light.

Quick Answers to Your FAQs

1. Can I add bookmarks to my exported PDF?

Yes, you can add bookmarks to your exported PDF by using the “Interactive PDF” export option in Adobe XD. This allows you to create bookmarks for specific artboards or sections of your design, making it easier for viewers to navigate through the document.

2. Can I password protect my exported PDF?

Adobe XD doesn’t offer built-in password protection for exported PDFs. However, you can use a third-party tool or a feature within your operating system to add password protection to your PDF after exporting it from Adobe XD.

3. What are the best settings for exporting PDFs for web design?

For web design, it’s generally recommended to export your Adobe XD designs as PDFs with a resolution of 72 DPI and a color profile of sRGB. This ensures that your designs are displayed correctly on web browsers and are optimized for online viewing.

4. Can I export my Adobe XD prototype as a PDF with animations?

While you can export your Adobe XD prototype as an interactive PDF, animations are not currently supported. The exported PDF will only show the final state of the animation, not the animation itself.

5. Can I edit my exported PDF after saving it?

Once you’ve exported your Adobe XD design as a PDF, you can edit it using a PDF editing software such as Adobe Acrobat. This allows you to make changes to the text, images, or layout of your PDF. However, you won’t be able to edit the interactive elements or animations that were included in your Adobe XD prototype.