Export Layer Comps to PDF in Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop includes dedicated automation scripts that allow you to convert design variations saved in your Layer Comps panel directly into PDF format. Depending on your project requirements, you can compile layer comps into a single, multi-page PDF document where each comp serves as an individual page, or export each comp as an entirely separate single-page PDF file.

Preparing Your Layer Comps

Before running the export script, organize your workspace:

  1. Open your project file in Photoshop.
  2. Go to Window > Layer Comps to open the Layer Comps panel.
  3. Verify that each comp is properly recorded with your desired layer visibility, positions, and appearance states.
  4. Ensure the comps you want to export are checked or visible.

Method 1: Exporting to a Multi-Page PDF Document

To combine your layer comps into a single PDF where each comp occupies its own page:

  1. Navigate to File > Scripts > Layer Comps to PDF.
  2. Click Browse to specify the destination folder and enter a name for the output file.
  3. Under the Options section:
    • Check Selected Layer Comps Only if you only want to output specific variations.
    • Check Multi-Page Document to ensure each comp becomes an individual page within one combined PDF.
  4. Adjust presentation settings such as Advance Every [X] Seconds or Loop After Last Page if creating an automated slide deck (leave unchecked for standard viewing).
  5. In the Output Options section, select your desired PDF Preset (such as High Quality Print or Smallest File Size) to control compression and quality.
  6. Click Run. Photoshop will cycle through each comp and generate the multi-page PDF.

Method 2: Exporting as Separate Single-Page PDF Files

If your goal is to generate distinct, individual PDF files for each layer comp rather than a merged document:

  1. Navigate to File > Scripts > Layer Comps to Files.
  2. Click Browse to select the destination directory.
  3. Define the File Name Prefix to control how the exported files will be named.
  4. Check Selected Layer Comps Only if applicable.
  5. In the File Type dropdown menu, select PDF.
  6. Choose your compression settings, encoding options, and PDF preset.
  7. Click Run. Photoshop will process each comp and save individual single-page PDF files into your selected folder.