Interactive PDF That Fails on the Client's Tablet
You produce a 24-page product brochure as an interactive PDF for the client's sales team to use on iPads. The file includes hyperlinks, a few buttons, and a short embedded video. The client reports: links work on desktop but not on some tablets; the video doesn't play; and the file is 180 MB, which is too large to email. The brochure also needs a print version for a trade show. The source InDesign file uses RGB images at 300 ppi and a 2-column layout.
1. Diagnose the interactive PDF failures and specify the correct export preset and settings for the tablet version.
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Diagnosis:
- Links/buttons not working on tablets: the PDF was likely exported with a preset that doesn't preserve interactivity, or the tablet's PDF viewer doesn't support the feature. Interactive elements require PDF (Interactive) export, not PDF/X.
- Video not playing: video must be embedded or linked correctly; InDesign's interactive PDF export can include media only if the media was placed as a supported format and the export option is enabled. Some viewers (e.g., iOS Files/Books) block embedded media.
- 180 MB: RGB 300 ppi images across 24 pages is far more than needed for screen; downsampling to 150 ppi (or 96–150 ppi) and using JPEG compression will shrink it dramatically.
Settings: Export using PDF (Interactive). In the Compression tab, downsample color images to 150 ppi (bicubic), use JPEG quality Medium/High. In General, enable Create Tagged PDF if accessibility matters, and confirm Hyperlinks and Buttons are included. For video, verify the media is placed and set to play in the PDF; if the client's viewer can't handle it, provide a linked web version instead. Test on the actual tablet before delivery.
2. The print version must be a separate export from the same file. What changes do you make, and what are the risks of exporting print from an interactive file?
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Print export: Use PDF/X-4 (or the printer's specified PDF/X preset). Set images to 300 ppi CMYK, embed fonts, include bleed (3 mm) and crop marks, and convert colors to the printer's output intent.
Risks of exporting print from an interactive file:
- Interactive objects (buttons, video, hyperlinks) are not print content and may cause export warnings or be dropped - verify none are on the print pages.
- RGB images and screen-optimized compression will fail print quality checks; ensure the print export uses CMYK conversion and no downsampling below 300 ppi.
- The document may contain a mix of RGB and CMYK swatches; use Separations Preview and Preflight to confirm only the intended plates.
- Page size and bleed must match the print spec; the interactive version may have been set up at screen dimensions.
Best practice: keep one source file but use Export presets and a Preflight profile for each output, and proof the print PDF separately rather than assuming the interactive layout is print-ready.