Adobe Illustrator (AI) is a powerful vector graphics editor that has become an industry standard for designers, artists, and illustrators. With its vast array of tools and features, Illustrator allows users to create stunning, scalable artwork suitable for various applications. However, if someone doesn’t have AI installed on their computer, opening the file stored in AI format becomes challenging. Therefore, it becomes essential to convert Illustrator to PDF online or through other offline software. In this article, we will learn the most effective and user-friendly methods to convert Illustrator AI to PDF with easy steps.
Adobe Illustrator and PDF File
Adobe Illustrator is a professional vector graphics editor developed by Adobe Inc. It is capable of saving files in a variety of formats, allowing users to choose the most appropriate file type based on their specific needs like:
AI
PDF
EPS
SVG
PNG
JPG/JPEG
TIFF
Adobe Illustrator and PDF have a high level of compatibility, so there are always requests who need to convert Adobe illustrator to pdf file. Illustrator has robust support for exporting and importing PDF files while preserving the original elements accurately. On the other hand, Adobe Illustrator also can open and import PDF files allowing users to further modify and work with the elements of the PDF file directly within Illustrator.
Why Need to Convert Illustrator to PDF?
Easy accessibility
The recipient must have Adobe Illustrator installed on their computer in order to open an Illustrator file. Therefore, saving the illustrator file in PDF format can be viewed and accessed by a wide range of users on different devices and operating systems.
Preservation of Design
When you convert Adobe Illustrator to PDF, the colors, fonts, layouts, and vector elements remain intact irrespective of the software or operating system in which it is viewed.
Print-ready files
Another benefit of converting ai to PDF is that PDFs can embed fonts and support other print-related features, allowing print service providers to accurately reproduce your design.
Security and protection
You can control access or prevent unauthorized editing, as PDF files provide options for password protection, digital signatures, and other security features.
Compact File Size
The AI file size containing your artwork is very large. PDF files can be optimized for efficient file size without significant loss of quality. So it’s necessary to convert Adobe Illustrator to PDF.
Illustrator to PDF Free - 7 Ways
There are various Illustrator to pdf converters. You can also convert Illustrator to pdf online. But in this section, you will learn 7 offline ways to convert ai to pdf.
#1 Illustrator to PDF - Saving As in Adobe Illustrator
Saving Illustrator files as PDFs using the "Save As" option simplifies sharing, preserves quality, and enables wide accessibility for viewing and printing your artwork. To save an Adobe Illustrator file as a PDF using the "Save As" option, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the Illustrator file that you want to save as a PDF.
Step 2: Click on the File at the top menu bar.
Step 3: Choose Save As from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Choose "Adobe PDF" as the file format from the dropdown menu.
Step 5: A new dialogue box populated with Illustrator’s Save As PDF present will appear. You can configure the PDF settings from an additional option.
Step 6: You can choose different settings of Adobe Illustrator PDF Presets to shortcut according to the purpose of use of PDF. If the PDF is for online use, “Smallest File Size” is a good setting.
Step 7: Click on the "Save PDF" button to proceed.
#2 Illustrator to PDF - Saving a Copy in Adobe Illustrator
By saving a copy as a PDF, you preserve the original Illustrator file in its native format, ensuring that any future edits or modifications can be made without affecting the PDF version. Following are the steps to convert an Illustrator file to PDF using the “Save a copy” option.
Step 1: Go to File in the top menu bar
Step 2: Click on “Save a Copy.”
Step 3: A new window will open. Choose “Adobe PDF (pdf) format.”
Step 4: You can change the name of the file in “Save As”
Step 5: After changing the name, click on “Save”.
Step 6: A PDF settings window will appear. You can customize the settings and then save the file from .ai to .pdf.
#3 Illustrator to PDF - Export from Adobe Illustrator
Export As is the common option to save artwork as jpeg and png. However, it can also be used to save in PDF format. It offers customizable settings, efficient file optimization, and the ability to include multiple artboards while maintaining high quality. Following are the steps to convert Adobe illustrator to PDF files using the Export option.
Step 1: Go to the overhead menu. Click on “File”
Step 2: Select “Export”, then choose “Export for Screens”
Step 3: Select the Artboards tab at the top
Step 4: Select the Artboards to Export
Step 5: Change the Format to PDF
Step 6: Tick the Multiple Files option
Step 7: Click Export Artboard at the bottom
Tip: To open the Export box, you can use the menu path or the shortcut Alt/Option + Ctrl/Cmd + E
#4 Convert Illustrator to PDF - Inkscape
If you don’t have Illustrator installed, then you can use other external applications to open AI files. One such alternative is Inkscape which is a free image editing tool that provides similar functionality to Illustrator. It supports AI files and can be easily converted to PDF. Follow these steps to convert AI files to PDF format using Inkscape.
Best for Pro and semi-pro illustrators and web designers
Step 1: Open Inkscape
Step 2: Go to File. Click on Open.
Step 3: Locate the .ai file to convert. Press on Open and then OK on the import setting window that shows.
Step 4: Now the .ai file is opened in Inkscape. Go to File, Click on Print. You can also use the short key Ctrl+P.
Step 5: Under the Printer, select novaPDF. Click Print
Step 6: Choose the location to save the PDF file and click OK.
#5 Convert Illustrator to PDF - GIMP
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source raster graphics editor. It is a powerful software that allows users to edit, retouch, and enhance images.
Best For: A customized tool for advanced designers to create illustrations and graphics
You can also use it to convert AI files to PDF by following these steps:
Step 1: Go to File. Click on Open to add a .ai file into GIMP.
Step 2: Go to File and click Export As.
Step 3: Select the File Type (By Extension) on the bottom left, and all the supported file extensions will open.
Step 4: Find the PDF format to convert .ai to .pdf.
#6 Convert Illustrator to PDF - LibreOffice Draw
It is a free and open-source vector graphics editor for creating and editing diagrams, making it a useful tool for business, education, and personal projects. You can view and edit AI files and also convert them to PDF format.
Best for: Producing technical drawings, brochures, posters, and many other documents.
Follow these simple steps to convert the .ai file to .pdf format using LibreOffice Draw.
Step 1: Click on File.
Step 2: Go to Open to open the AI file.
Step 3: Make any editing in the document.
Step 4: Go to File.
Step 5: Click Export As then click on the Export as PDF button.
#7 Convert Illustrator to PDF - Pixlr
Pixlr is a user-friendly web-based image editing tool that offers a range of features for editing and enhancing images. It has 2 options: Pixlr Express for advanced photo editing, similar to Adobe Photoshop, and Pixlr Editor for quick and easy image editing.
Best for Designers who like to work on different devices to create and edit images.
You can open and convert Illustrator file to PDF using these steps:
Step 1: Click on File and open the AI file
Step 2: Make any enhancements to the file
Step 4: Go to File and click on Save button
Step 5: Click on Document, then click on the PDF button and Save As button
How to Create a Layered PDF in Adobe Illustrator
Illustrator is a software application for creating drawings, illustrations, and artwork. You can save your files to PDF within the illustrator. Moreover, you can create different types of PDFs like multipage PDFs, layered PDFs, and PDF/x‑compliant files.
Layered PDFs allow you to save one PDF with layers that can be used in different contexts. By saving an AI file as a layered PDF, you retain the individual layers and their organization. This allows for easy editing and modification of specific elements within the PDF, even after the file has been exported.
Follow the below steps to create a layered PDF in Adobe Illustrator:
Step 1: Set up your artwork with the elements you want to show or hide as separate top-level layers.
Step 2: Save the file in PDF format.
Step 3: In the drop-down menu, choose Acrobat 8 (1.7) or Acrobat 7 (1.6) for Compatibility.
Step 4: Click on “Create Acrobat Layers” from Top-Level Layers.
Step 5: Set additional PDF options
Step 6: Click Save PDF.
FAQs
Q1: Is it safe to convert Illustrator to pdf with a third-party app?
When converting Illustrator files to PDF using a third-party app, it's important to exercise caution and ensure that you are using reliable and reputable software. Although many online converters offer convenience, you need to be cautious when uploading confidential files to such services. You can use WPS Office for the conversion of your files. WPS Office is regarded as a reputable software with a user-friendly interface and offers a suite of features for creating, editing, and converting files.
Q2: How do I save an Illustrator file as a high-quality PDF?
You can save an Illustrator file as a high-quality PDF by following these simple steps:
Step 1: Go to Effect in Illustrator and open the document raster effect settings. Set the resolution to 300 DPI.
Step 2: Go to Save as type and select PDF
Step 3: In the marks tab, check the trim marks and use document bleed settings
Step 4: Click on save PDF, and your PDF will be saved in high quality
Q3: How do I print AI files in high quality in Illustrator?
For printing an AI file in high quality, you need to first save the file in high quality, as mentioned above. Then you can take the printout in high quality.
WPS Office offers to print documents in high quality. You just need to open the file in the WPS office and use the print command to take a printout in high quality.
A Full-Featured PDF Solution - WPS Office
WPS Office provides a comprehensive suite of office tools, making it a versatile solution for various document-related tasks, from creating and editing documents to analyzing data, designing presentations, and handling PDF files efficiently. You can easily download the software by following the link below: https://www.wps.com/
Overall, the article discusses the processes, importance and benefits of converting Adobe Illustrator files to PDF format. The steps for converting an AI file to PDF are explained in detail. The article emphasizes the importance of selecting high-quality options when saving PDFs. It concludes by highlighting the convenience and reliability of PDF format for printing purposes.
