PDF/X

PDF/X is a PDF based format for the exchange of object-based data where individual objects may be in either vector or raster data structures. PDF/X defines a data format and its usage to permit the predictable dissemination of a compound entity to one or more locations, as color-managed, CMYK, gray, RGB, and/or spot color 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.

PDF/X-3:2003

PDF/X-3:2003 conforming files shall adhere to all of the requirements of the ISO 15930-6:2003 specification defining "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)".

A file meeting this conformance level is said to be a "conforming PDF/X-3 file."