A client has asked you to sketch out a quick brochure and they want you to make it “in PDF.” How would you explain to your client that PDF files aren’t used for authoring?

1 answer

You could explain to your client in the following manner:


Subject: Clarification on PDF Files and Brochure Development

Dear [Client's Name],

Thank you for your request regarding the brochure design. I wanted to clarify the role of PDF files in the design process to ensure we are on the same page.

PDF (Portable Document Format) is primarily used for sharing and viewing documents in a consistent format across different devices and platforms. While PDFs are excellent for ensuring that your final document looks exactly as intended when printed or shared, they are not typically used for authoring or creating content directly.

For the design of your brochure, we will need to work with design software (like Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, or other layout tools) to create the brochure. Once we finalize the design and all elements are in place, we will export it to a PDF format for printing or distribution. This workflow allows us to maintain flexibility during the design process, ensuring that we can easily adjust graphics, text, and layouts as needed.

If you have specific content or images that you'd like in the brochure, please share those with me, and I can get started right away. Once we finalize the design, I’ll provide you with the PDF version for your approval and use.

Let me know if you have any questions or if there’s anything else you would like to discuss!

Best regards,

[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Your Company]
[Your Contact Information]


This explanation clarifies the purpose of PDFs and outlines the typical workflow for designing materials like brochures.