Ever found yourself in a Situation where you've designed multiple variations of an artwork on separate artboards in Sketch, but now you need to export them all as a single, cohesive PDF? You're not alone. This common workflow can be a bit cumbersome, but fear not! We're here to simplify your design-to-PDF journey with an efficient, streamlined process. Let's dive right in.
Before we begin, ensure you're using Sketch version 48 or later, as the features discussed are available only in this version and above. If you're still using an older version, it might be time for an update to experience the full range of Sketch's capabilities.
Preparing Your Artboards for Export
First things first, organize your artboards in Sketch. Ensure each artboard contains the design you want to include in your final PDF. This might seem obvious, but taking a moment to tidy up your workspace can save you time and hassle later on. Additionally, arrange your artboards in the order you want them to appear in the PDF.
Now that your artboards are ready, let's move on to setting up your PDF export settings for multiple artboards.
Content and Setup
Access the Export panel by clicking on 'File' in the top menu, then 'Export', or use the shortcut Command + E. Here, Sketch automatically selects 'Artboards' as the export format. Ensure this is still selected, as we'll be exporting a series of artboards as a single PDF.
Next, choose your desired PDF settings. Set the resolution to 'Default', which is 300 PPI (pixels per inch) - an industry standard for professional print work. You can adjust this based on your project's requirements, but be cautious not to lower it too much, as this could lead to pixelation in your final PDF.
Formatting and Compression
Click on the advanced settings (indicated by the 'i' icon next to the content name). Here, you can adjust various settings like image compression, color system, and more. For compressing JPEG files, consider a quality setting between 70-90% to balance file size and visual quality. Remember, lower quality means a smaller file size, but also a noticeable decrease in image quality.
Additional settings like color system and format are rarely adjusted, but feel free to explore them to see if they're relevant for your specific project. Once you've set up your export settings, it's time to move on to the next step.
Exporting Artboards as a Single PDF
Now that your settings are configured, it's time to export your artboards. Click the 'Export' button, or use the shortcut Command + E. Sketch will prompt you to save a document, with your chosen format, resolution, and content selected by default.
In the file dialog window, navigate to the destination folder where you want to save your PDF. By default, Sketch saves exports to your Downloads folder, but you can change this to any location you prefer.
Naming and Saving
Ensure your file name is clear and informative. Using a naming format like 'ProjectName_'Artboards_v1.pdf' can help keep track of your exports and future revisions. Finally, click 'Save', and Sketch will begin exporting your artboards as a single PDF.
Depending on the complexity and size of your designs, the export process may take a few seconds to a few minutes. Once complete, you'll find your PDF waiting in the destination folder you specified. Congratulations! You've just exported multiple Sketch artboards to a single, cohesive PDF.
Checking Your Work
Before sharing or presenting your PDF, always double-check that it's perfectly printed. Open the PDF in an application like Adobe Acrobat or Preview, and verify that each artboard is correctly rendered and printed at the desired resolution and size.
If you're satisfied with the quality of your exported PDF, you're ready to share it with clients, collaborators, or stakeholders. If not, revisit your export settings and try again, perhaps adjusting the resolution, compression, or other settings to better suit your needs.
And there you have it! Exporting multiple artboards in Sketch to a single PDF is a breeze once you know how. Happy designing, and happy exporting! Next time, why not explore some tips and tricks to boost your Sketch workflow even further?