When preparing a long PDF with freelance graphic design, it should not be assumed that the reader will only scroll from the first page to the end. One can search for a product in a catalogue, a result in a report or a specific section in a presentation.
Keep the table of contents the same as the document structure
Make sure the section names match the titles inside. PDF page order with visible page number may differ due to cover and front pages; Use references consciously. Re-verify the numbers after the last page addition.
Make links visible and meaningful
Have clickable areas distinguished by text or visual behavior. It is more descriptive to use the name of the section to go to instead of “Click here”. The targets of external links should be checked when preparing for publication.
Try it in different reading environments
A desktop reader and a phone viewer may not offer the same features in the same format. As an example task, try going to the product in the third section and returning to the table of contents. Navigation does not remove the need for explicit titles and page numbers in the print version.
Brief check before delivery
- Are section names and numbers up to date?
- Are internal links going to the right destination?
- Is the navigation path understandable on mobile?
Clarify scope with Selçuk Aker
When working with Selçuk Aker, you can consider these decisions in the context of catalog design. For the first meeting, share existing files, usage environment, and target delivery date. Digital catalog coverage completes this preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Is every PDF automatically interactive?
No. Link and navigation features should be prepared and checked in the output.
Are the ingredients alone sufficient?
In long documents, section starts and return paths can also be useful.
Can the printed file remain the same?
Printing requirements vary; Production output with interactive display version should be checked separately.
