PSD is Adobe Photoshop native format, containing layers, effects, masks, and editing history. While powerful for design work, PSD files are large and require Photoshop or compatible software to view. Converting PSD to PDF creates a flattened, universally viewable version of your design.
Why Convert PSD to PDF
Clients often need to review design work but may not have Photoshop. PDF provides a universal preview that anyone can open. PSD files can be hundreds of megabytes with all their layer data. PDF compresses the visual output to a fraction of that size. PDF preserves the visual appearance exactly, ensuring the client sees what you designed.
What Gets Preserved
The visual appearance of the design including colors, effects, and layer composition is captured in the PDF. Text layers are rendered as they appear. However, the individual layers, editing history, and Photoshop-specific features are flattened into a single image. Keep the original PSD for future editing.
Best Practices for Designers
Before converting, review the PSD at 100 percent zoom to ensure everything looks correct. Flatten any layer effects that might render differently. Convert the PSD to PDF for client review, but always retain the original PSD file for revisions. For multi-page documents, convert each PSD page separately and merge the resulting PDFs.
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