Editing Files with Photoshop, InDesign & More
When preparing files for print, the Adobe Creative Cloud application you use depends on the type of artwork or document you’re creating. Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Acrobat each have different strengths. Choosing the right program can make it easier to create, edit and export print-ready files.
Here’s a quick look at what each application is best suited for.
What is Photoshop used for?
Adobe Photoshop is primarily used for editing photographs and creating raster-based artwork. Raster images are made up of pixels, so their resolution depends on the number of pixels in the image.
Photoshop is a good choice for tasks such as photo retouching, color correction, image compositing and other pixel-based editing. It can also be used to create graphics, but it isn’t always the best choice for artwork that needs to scale to different sizes without losing quality.
Learn more about vector and raster images and image resolution.
What is Adobe Illustrator used for?
Adobe Illustrator is primarily used to create and edit vector artwork. Vector graphics are built from points, lines and curves, rather than a fixed grid of pixels, allowing them to be scaled up or down without losing clarity.
Illustrator is well suited for logos, illustrations, icons and other individual design elements that need to remain sharp at different sizes.
Illustrator can be used for print projects, but it’s generally less efficient than InDesign for multi-page documents. For example, InDesign makes it easier to create master pages and automatic page numbers—features that are especially useful for brochures, books and other longer documents.
What is Adobe InDesign used for?
Adobe InDesign is primarily used for page layout and desktop publishing. It is designed for creating documents such as flyers, brochures, magazines, books and other multi-page print projects.
InDesign can combine text, vector graphics and raster images in a single document, making it a strong choice when a project includes multiple pages or complex layouts. It also supports features such as master pages and automatic page numbering.
The example below shows the InDesign master page view for setting up documents:
What is Adobe Acrobat used for?
Adobe Acrobat is primarily used to view, review and edit PDF files. Since PDF is a standard format for print-ready files, Acrobat can be useful for making quick edits or corrections before sending a file to print.
Acrobat’s Tools pane includes options for editing and checking PDF files. For more advanced prepress editing, a plugin such as Enfocus PitStop can provide additional tools and control.
Acrobat is generally better suited to making corrections to an existing PDF than creating an entire print project from scratch.
To access Acrobat’s accessibility tools, select Tools from the menu bar and choose Accessibility. This allows you to run an accessibility check on your PDF:
Which Adobe program should I use for print?
The best program depends on what you’re creating:
- Photoshop: Best for photographs and raster-based artwork.
- Illustrator: Best for logos, illustrations and other vector-based artwork.
- InDesign: Best for page layouts, brochures, books and other multi-page documents.
- Acrobat: Best for reviewing, checking and making quick edits to existing PDF files.
Choosing the right application from the start can make it easier to create and export a print-ready file.
Have more questions about Photoshop and other design software? Contact customer service and we’ll be happy to help.