ISO 15930-6:2003
(Main)Graphic technology — Prepress digital data exchange using PDF — Part 6: Complete exchange of printing data suitable for colour-managed workflows using PDF 1.4 (PDF/X-3)
Graphic technology — Prepress digital data exchange using PDF — Part 6: Complete exchange of printing data suitable for colour-managed workflows using PDF 1.4 (PDF/X-3)
ISO 15930-6:2003 specifies the use of the Portable Document Format (PDF) Version 1.4 for the dissemination of complete digital data, in a single exchange that contains all elements necessary for final print reproduction. Colour-managed, CMYK, Gray, RGB or spot colour data are supported.
Technologie graphique — Échange de données numériques de préimpression utilisant le PDF — Partie 6: Échange complets de données imprimées aptes à la gestion des couleurs utilisant le PDF 1.4 (PDF/X-3)
Grafična tehnologija - Izmenjava digitalnih podatkov v grafični pripravi z uporabo PDF - 6. del: Celotna izmenjava podatkov za barvno upravljanje procesov z uporabo PDF 1.4 (PDF/X-3)
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2005
*UDILþQDWHKQRORJLMD,]PHQMDYDGLJLWDOQLKSRGDWNRYYJUDILþQLSULSUDYL]XSRUDER
3')GHO &HORWQDL]PHQMDYDSRGDWNRY]DEDUYQRXSUDYOMDQMHSURFHVRY]
XSRUDER3') 3');
Graphic technology -- Prepress digital data exchange using PDF -- Part 6: Complete
exchange of printing data suitable for colour-managed workflows using PDF 1.4 (PDF/X-
3)
Technologie graphique -- Échange de données numériques de préimpression utilisant le
PDF -- Partie 6: Échange complets de données imprimées aptes à la gestion des
couleurs utilisant le PDF 1.4 (PDF/X-3)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO 15930-6:2003
ICS:
35.240.30 Uporabniške rešitve IT v IT applications in information,
informatiki, dokumentiranju in documentation and
založništvu publishing
37.100.01 *UDILþQDWHKQRORJLMDQD Graphic technology in
VSORãQR general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 15930-6
First edition
2003-12-15
Graphic technology — Prepress digital
data exchange using PDF —
Part 6:
Complete exchange of printing data
suitable for colour-managed workflows
using PDF 1.4 (PDF/X-3)
Technologie graphique — Échange de données numériques de
préimpression utilisant le PDF —
Partie 6: Échanges complets de données imprimées aptes à la gestion
des couleurs utilisant le PDF 1.4 (PDF/X-3)
Reference number
©
ISO 2003
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.
© ISO 2003
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2003 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword. iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope. 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions. 1
4 Notations. 4
5 Conforming files and equipment. 4
6 Technical requirements. 5
6.1 Data structure. 5
6.2 Colour. 6
6.3 Fonts. 8
6.4 File specifications . 9
6.5 Data compression . 9
6.6 Trapping. 9
6.7 PDF file identification . 9
6.8 Bounding boxes . 10
6.9 Extended graphics state. 10
6.10 PostScript XObject and the PS operator .10
6.11 Use of the Encrypt dictionary . 10
6.12 Alternate Images . 11
6.13 Annotations . 11
6.14 Actions and JavaScripts . 11
6.15 Use of the BX/EX operators . 11
6.16 Use of Transparency. 11
6.17 Viewer preferences . 12
Annex A (informative) PDF feature summary . 13
Annex B (informative) Metadata.15
Bibliography . 16
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 15930-6 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 130, Graphic technology.
ISO 15930 consists of the following parts, under the general title Graphic technology — Prepress digital data
exchange using PDF:
Part 1: Complete exchange using CMYK (PDF/X-1 and PDF/X-1a);
Part 3: Complete exchange suitable for colour-managed workflows (PDF/X-3);
Part 4: Complete exchange of CMYK and spot colour printing data using PDF 1.4 (PDF/X-1a);
Part 5: Partial exchange of printing data using PDF 1.4 (PDF/X-2);
Part 6: Complete exchange of printing data suitable for colour-managed workflows using PDF 1.4
(PDF/X-3).
iv © ISO 2003 – All rights reserved
Introduction
ISO 15930 (all parts) defines methods for the exchange of digital data within the graphic arts industry and for
the exchange of files between graphic arts establishments. It is a multi-part document where each part is
intended to respond to different workflow requirements. These workflows differ in the degree of flexibility
required. However, increasing flexibility can lead to the possibility of uncertainty or error. The goal throughout
the various parts of ISO 15930 has been to maintain the degree of flexibility required while minimizing the
uncertainty.
Many printed documents are assemblies of partial pages and/or pages created at different locations and by
different organizations. The merging of these individual elements into the final printing forme and the
subsequent printing may take place at different locations. Some of these elements may also be routed to
multiple sites for incorporation into other documents. Each of these elements is referred to in ISO 15930 as a
compound entity.
A variety of data formats and structures are used for the creation of this type of material, but with two
prevalent kinds of underlying data structures. These are vector-based data for the encoding of line art and
textual information and raster-based data for the encoding of image information, including previously
rasterized line art and textual information.
Both kinds of data structures are required along with page description information in an open electronic
workflow. The exchange of raster-based data using the TIFF/IT file format is defined in ISO 12639. The
subject of ISO 15930 is a format for the exchange of object-based data where individual objects may be in
either vector or raster data structures.
PDF/X-3 (Parts 3 and 6 of this International Standard) complements the other parts by defining a data format
and its usage to permit the predictable dissemination of a compound entity to one or more locations, as
colour-managed, CMYK, gray, RGB, and/or spot colour data, in a form ready for final print reproduction, by
transfer of a single file. This file contains all the content information necessary to process and render the
document, as intended by the sender, coded inside a single PDF file. No other parts, neither external files nor
internally embedded files, are required or permitted. This exchange requires no prior knowledge of the
sending and receiving environments and is sometimes referred to as “blind” exchange. It is platform- and
transport-independent.
These goals are accomplished by defining a specific use of the publicly available Adobe Portable Document
Format. In order to achieve a level of exchange that avoids any ambiguity in interpretation of the file, a limited
set of PDF objects that may be used is identified and restrictions to the use, or form of use, of those objects,
and/or keys within those objects are added.
This version of PDF/X-3 (Part 6 of this International Standard) amplifies and refines the information provided
in the earlier version of PDF (Part 3 of this International Standard), as follows.
The referenced version of the Adobe Portable Document Format has been changed from 1.3 to 1.4.
The following features, introduced in PDF 1.4, have been disallowed in PDF/X-3:2003: JBIG2,
Transparency, and Referenced PDF.
Whereas PDF/X-3 specifies the exchange of complete material, with all elements present, there are
circumstances when this is not appropriate. In certain workflows, some or all of the referenced elements may
be more logically present at the receiving site, or may be exchanged at a different time. These include high-
resolution contone-image files, line-art files, etc. These exchanges will generally require prior agreement
between sender and receiver. The requirements for such situations are addressed in PDF/X-2 (Part 5 of this
International Standard). Other exchanges may be more appropriately restricted to CMYK and spot colour data
only. Such exchanges are addressed in PDF/X-1a (Parts 1 and 4 of this International Standard).
It is anticipated that a variety of products will be developed based on PDF/X, such as readers (including
viewers) and writers of PDF/X files, and products that offer combinations of these features. Different products
will incorporate various capabilities to prepare, interpret and process conforming files based on the application
needs as perceived by the suppliers of the products. However, it is important to note that a conforming reader
must be able to read and appropriately process all files conforming to a specified conformance level.
Users are cautioned that there are several different conformance levels that may be associated with PDF/X
readers and writers. Two of these are generally referred to as PDF/X-3. These are defined in Parts 3 and 6 of
this International Standard. It is recommended that these be referred to as PDF/X-3:2002 and PDF/X-3:2003,
respectively. It is importan
...
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 15930-6
First edition
2003-12-15
Graphic technology — Prepress digital
data exchange using PDF —
Part 6:
Complete exchange of printing data
suitable for colour-managed workflows
using PDF 1.4 (PDF/X-3)
Technologie graphique — Échange de données numériques de
préimpression utilisant le PDF —
Partie 6: Échanges complets de données imprimées aptes à la gestion
des couleurs utilisant le PDF 1.4 (PDF/X-3)
Reference number
©
ISO 2003
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.
© ISO 2003
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2003 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword. iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope. 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions. 1
4 Notations. 4
5 Conforming files and equipment. 4
6 Technical requirements. 5
6.1 Data structure. 5
6.2 Colour. 6
6.3 Fonts. 8
6.4 File specifications . 9
6.5 Data compression . 9
6.6 Trapping. 9
6.7 PDF file identification . 9
6.8 Bounding boxes . 10
6.9 Extended graphics state. 10
6.10 PostScript XObject and the PS operator .10
6.11 Use of the Encrypt dictionary . 10
6.12 Alternate Images . 11
6.13 Annotations . 11
6.14 Actions and JavaScripts . 11
6.15 Use of the BX/EX operators . 11
6.16 Use of Transparency. 11
6.17 Viewer preferences . 12
Annex A (informative) PDF feature summary . 13
Annex B (informative) Metadata.15
Bibliography . 16
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 15930-6 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 130, Graphic technology.
ISO 15930 consists of the following parts, under the general title Graphic technology — Prepress digital data
exchange using PDF:
Part 1: Complete exchange using CMYK (PDF/X-1 and PDF/X-1a);
Part 3: Complete exchange suitable for colour-managed workflows (PDF/X-3);
Part 4: Complete exchange of CMYK and spot colour printing data using PDF 1.4 (PDF/X-1a);
Part 5: Partial exchange of printing data using PDF 1.4 (PDF/X-2);
Part 6: Complete exchange of printing data suitable for colour-managed workflows using PDF 1.4
(PDF/X-3).
iv © ISO 2003 – All rights reserved
Introduction
ISO 15930 (all parts) defines methods for the exchange of digital data within the graphic arts industry and for
the exchange of files between graphic arts establishments. It is a multi-part document where each part is
intended to respond to different workflow requirements. These workflows differ in the degree of flexibility
required. However, increasing flexibility can lead to the possibility of uncertainty or error. The goal throughout
the various parts of ISO 15930 has been to maintain the degree of flexibility required while minimizing the
uncertainty.
Many printed documents are assemblies of partial pages and/or pages created at different locations and by
different organizations. The merging of these individual elements into the final printing forme and the
subsequent printing may take place at different locations. Some of these elements may also be routed to
multiple sites for incorporation into other documents. Each of these elements is referred to in ISO 15930 as a
compound entity.
A variety of data formats and structures are used for the creation of this type of material, but with two
prevalent kinds of underlying data structures. These are vector-based data for the encoding of line art and
textual information and raster-based data for the encoding of image information, including previously
rasterized line art and textual information.
Both kinds of data structures are required along with page description information in an open electronic
workflow. The exchange of raster-based data using the TIFF/IT file format is defined in ISO 12639. The
subject of ISO 15930 is a format for the exchange of object-based data where individual objects may be in
either vector or raster data structures.
PDF/X-3 (Parts 3 and 6 of this International Standard) complements the other parts by defining a data format
and its usage to permit the predictable dissemination of a compound entity to one or more locations, as
colour-managed, CMYK, gray, RGB, and/or spot colour data, in a form ready for final print reproduction, by
transfer of a single file. This file contains all the content information necessary to process and render the
document, as intended by the sender, coded inside a single PDF file. No other parts, neither external files nor
internally embedded files, are required or permitted. This exchange requires no prior knowledge of the
sending and receiving environments and is sometimes referred to as “blind” exchange. It is platform- and
transport-independent.
These goals are accomplished by defining a specific use of the publicly available Adobe Portable Document
Format. In order to achieve a level of exchange that avoids any ambiguity in interpretation of the file, a limited
set of PDF objects that may be used is identified and restrictions to the use, or form of use, of those objects,
and/or keys within those objects are added.
This version of PDF/X-3 (Part 6 of this International Standard) amplifies and refines the information provided
in the earlier version of PDF (Part 3 of this International Standard), as follows.
The referenced version of the Adobe Portable Document Format has been changed from 1.3 to 1.4.
The following features, introduced in PDF 1.4, have been disallowed in PDF/X-3:2003: JBIG2,
Transparency, and Referenced PDF.
Whereas PDF/X-3 specifies the exchange of complete material, with all elements present, there are
circumstances when this is not appropriate. In certain workflows, some or all of the referenced elements may
be more logically present at the receiving site, or may be exchanged at a different time. These include high-
resolution contone-image files, line-art files, etc. These exchanges will generally require prior agreement
between sender and receiver. The requirements for such situations are addressed in PDF/X-2 (Part 5 of this
International Standard). Other exchanges may be more appropriately restricted to CMYK and spot colour data
only. Such exchanges are addressed in PDF/X-1a (Parts 1 and 4 of this International Standard).
It is anticipated that a variety of products will be developed based on PDF/X, such as readers (including
viewers) and writers of PDF/X files, and products that offer combinations of these features. Different products
will incorporate various capabilities to prepare, interpret and process conforming files based on the application
needs as perceived by the suppliers of the products. However, it is important to note that a conforming reader
must be able to read and appropriately process all files conforming to a specified conformance level.
Users are cautioned that there are several different conformance levels that may be associated with PDF/X
readers and writers. Two of these are generally referred to as PDF/X-3. These are defined in Parts 3 and 6 of
this International Standard. It is recommended that these be referred to as PDF/X-3:2002 and PDF/X-3:2003,
respectively. It is important to note that the print elements of a PDF/X-1a file meet all of the requirements of a
PDF/X-3 file and that a PDF/X-3 reader must also read a PDF/X-1a file.
Although re-purposing of data is not a primary consideration or requirement of this part of ISO 15930,
maximum flexibility will be maintained so that future requirements for re-purposing may be accommodated.
[5]
An ongoing series of Application Notes is maintained for the guidance of developers and users of the PDF/X
family of International Standards. These Application Notes, and other documents relevant to PDF/X, are
available from NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies in the
NPES Standards Workroom at .
vi © ISO 2003 – All rights reserved
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 15930-6:2003(E)
Graphic technology — Prepress digital data exchange using
PDF —
Part 6:
Complete exchange of printing data suitable for
colour-managed workflows using PDF 1.4 (PDF/X-3)
1 Scope
This part of ISO 15930 specifies the use of the Portable Document Format (PDF) Version 1.4 for the
dissemination of complete digital data, in a single exchange, that contains all elements necessary for final
print rep
...
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