How to Export Artboards in Adobe Photoshop as Multi-Page PDF Files.
Artboards in Photoshop make it easy to work on multiple pages or screen layouts within a single document. It's a great way to create multipage posters and things like comic books, but if you want to export your artboards as a multi-page PDF you're probably having trouble finding an option. This guide will walk you through the process for exporting Artboards in Adobe Photoshop as multipage PDF files.
How to Export Artboards in Adobe Photoshop as Multi-Page PDF Files
Before exporting Artboard in Photoshop you'll need to make sure that you have your Artboard configured correctly.
- Open Photoshop and create a new document (“File > New”).
- In the New Document dialog box, enable the “Artboards” option.
- Choose the dimensions for your artboards and set the number of artboards you need.
- Once your document opens, you can add or rearrange artboards using the Artboard Tool (nested under the Move Tool in the toolbar).
- To make your PDF easier to navigate, rename your artboards descriptively.
- Go to the Layers panel, double-click on an artboard name, and type in the desired name.
Optimizing Your Multi-Page PDF (IMPORTANT)
- Keep all artboards the same size for a cohesive look and to make the exporting process a lot easier.
- For digital sharing, reduce the file size by lowering image resolution or using stronger compression.
- If you use custom fonts, ensure they are embedded in the PDF to avoid display issues.
Export Artboards as PDF Files.
Once your artboards are ready, follow these steps to export them as a multi-page PDF:
- Click “File > Export > Artboards to PDF…” from the menu bar.
- In the “Artboards to PDF” dialog box, you’ll see several options:
- Choose where you want to save the PDF file.
- Name your PDF file.
- Make sure this box is checked.
- Arrange the order in which artboards appear in the PDF. Options include arranging by artboard name or layout order.
- Click the “Settings…” button to customize the PDF options.
- Choose the quality of the PDF (e.g., High, Medium, or Low).
- Select “Preserve Photoshop Editing Capabilities” if you’ll need to edit the PDF later in Photoshop.
- Adjust image compression to balance file size and quality.
- Ensure the correct colour profile is applied (e.g., RGB for digital use or CMYK for printing).
- After adjusting the settings, click “Run” to begin the export process.
- Photoshop will generate a multi-page PDF containing your artboards in the specified order.
Check the PDF File is Exactly How you Want it.
Before sharing or printing, take a moment to review the exported PDF:
- Open the file using a PDF viewer (e.g., Adobe Acrobat, Preview on macOS, or your browser).
- Confirm that all artboards are included and in the correct order.
- Ensure the text, images, and colours display as expected.
- Look for any issues such as missing elements, alignment problems, or resolution discrepancies.
- If you find errors, return to Photoshop, make the necessary changes, and re-export the file.