PDF, PDF+ and Normalized PDF

In ArtPro+, your open file can be a PDF+ file or a Normalized PDF file. If your current file is a Normalized PDF file, this will be indicated behind the name of the file in the window title. The file type depends on the file you open.

If you open ...	the document will be...
a Normalized PDF file or PDFPla file	Normalized PDF
an ArtPro file (exception: see below)	Normalized PDF
an ArtPro file that can't be converted to Normalized PDF, e.g. because of unsupported objects such as placed standard PDF files, placed EPS, PS or RGB images	PDF+
a regular PDF	PDF+
a new document	PDF+
an ARD, MFG or CF2 file	PDF+
an Image file	PDF+

When you save your document in ArtPro+, Normalized PDF will be saved as Normalized PDF, while PDF+ is saved as PDF+. If a PDF file becomes a PDF+ file, this only means additional information can be stored in the file. No conversion is done.

Note: Strictly spoken, a regular PDF, ARD file, CF2 file or Image file doesn't become a PDF+ file until you save it. However, since it follows the specifications and behavior of PDF+ files, we consider the open document to be a PDF+ file.

You can convert a Normalized PDF to a PDF+ file using Convert to PDF+. This will convert Normalized PDF information, and PDF+ features become available. See Convert to PDF+

There is no way to convert a PDF+ file to Normalized PDF.

What is the difference between regular PDF, PDF+, and Normalized PDF

Both PDF+ and Normalized PDF are to a large extent regular PDF files that you can open and edit in any other PDF editor or reader. However, PDF+ and Normalized PDF files also contain additional information, available to any Normalized PDF or PDF+ compatible editor. Both file formats also implement specific limitations and specifications.

What	PDF+	Normalized PDF
Ink order stored in file
Non-printing data (Cut, Die, …) and special processing steps (varnish, …)	Processing Step Layers	Technical Inks & Varnish
Ink Types	Normal, Opaque	Normal, Opaque, Technical, Varnish
Document Profile as output intent	Obligated. If none is present, the default profile will automatically be added when saving.
Screening	Optional object based screening	Default screening is applied to all unscreened objects when saving.
Crosshair position	Saved in file
Group and Barcode metadata
Marks	PDF+ Marks can be applied in ArtPro+	ArtPro+ does not support SmartMarks
Images	Images can be Embedded Linked & Embedded. If a PDF+ file contains image links, a full resolution embedded version of the image will still be saved in the file.	Images can be Embedded Linked
Placed Art (PDF)	If the Placed Art is Normalized PDF, it is always embedded. When placing a Normalized PDF, you can map Technical Inks to specific Processing Step Layers.	Note: If you open a Normalized PDF containing Placed Art, this will be recognized and kept with limited editability.
Structural Design		Limited to one Structural Design file, and always using the default Profile
Preflight	Checks and Fixes	Only Checks, no Fixes.

When working with PDF+ files...

When opening a PDF+ file that contains linked images or linked Placed Art that can't be found, you can choose to browse for them, unlink them or continue to open the file while ignoring the broken link for now.
When opening a PDF+ file that contains an out-of-date linked image or Placed Art (the embedded version doesn't match the linked version), you can choose to update the embedded version to the linked version, to unlink and keep using the embedded version, or to continue opening the file while ignoring the out-of-date images for now.

When working with Normalized PDF files...

You will not be able to save the Page Boxes setup as long as any errors have not been resolved.
Dimensions and position for each page box need to be the same for all pages of a Normalized PDF, so if e.g. a trim box is changed on page 1, it is changed on all other pages; if a bleed box is added to page 2, it is added on all other pages.
All missing links have to be resolved for the file to be opened
All objects have to be screened