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kellyLynMayer
kellyLynMayer Calculating status...
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trying to print a white box at 85% transparent over a background image.

Apr 5, 2012 11:11 PM

trying to print a white box at 85% transparent over a background image. The white box is set to 85%, normal transparency. Pdf is created and the white box disappears. I tried several different adjustments with knock out but can't get the white box to stay!

2371 Views   8 Replies   Latest reply: printisnotdead, May 14, 2012 12:34 AM
 
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  • John Danek
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    1. John Danek,
    Apr 6, 2012 8:10 AM   in reply to kellyLynMayer
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    Make sure, before you apply the transparency, that the white fill is not set to overprint ( attributes dialog box / menu ).  Sounds like you are using Illustrator or InDesign.  Hope this helps.

     
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  • kellyLynMayer
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    2. kellyLynMayer,
    Apr 8, 2012 12:15 AM   in reply to John Danek
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    I am using Indesign CS5 and I already checked the overprint in attributes but when I save out a high-res pdf the box disppears.....low res pdf its there???

     
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  • Sudarshan Thiagarajan
    3,731 posts
    Oct 15, 2010
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    3. Sudarshan Thiagarajan,
    Apr 12, 2012 10:40 PM   in reply to kellyLynMayer
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    What attribute do you use for the 'opacity' in InDesign? Do you use a custom swatch color or do you use 'Effects' panel?

     

    If possible, give us a screenshot of what we're discussing here - that should make it easy for us to help you out.

     
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  • kellyLynMayer
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    4. kellyLynMayer,
    Apr 16, 2012 10:23 PM   in reply to Sudarshan Thiagarajan
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    I was adjusting the opacity through the effects window/tools....

     

     

    Screen shot 2012-04-17 at 12.38.59 AM.png

    This is the screen shot from INDESIGN file and how the file is set up..... the effect opacity level was set at 85%

     

    Screen shot 2012-04-17 at 12.38.12 AM.png

    This is how the the hi-res pdf was exporting from InDesign and I have all attributes check and nothing is set to overprint....

     

    Screen shot 2012-04-17 at 12.38.34 AM.png

    and this is what the pdf SHOULD look like.....

     

    ****and I had to sit there and mess with this pdf FOREVER.... and how I was finally able to export the pdf properly was by using a different PDF export option...

     

    The printer I use has a set profile that I am suppose to use for the pdfing of the final hi-res pdfs to be uploaded to the press....

     

    But when I went and used the pdf-x-1a option it was fine.

     

    Does any one know which setting in the pdf profile that would have affected the opacity to not carry over???

     

    I am going to email the printer directly to see what they have to say and possibly suggest making the correct adjustments so this does not happen in the future....

     
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  • Sudarshan Thiagarajan
    3,731 posts
    Oct 15, 2010
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    5. Sudarshan Thiagarajan,
    Apr 17, 2012 9:48 AM   in reply to kellyLynMayer
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    It's solely on a case-to-case basis.

     

    I'd like you to answer a few questions to enable us come up with the reason for your PDF not printing without setting to PDF-X-1A option:

     

    1. Are you using Mac OS?

    2. Is your PDF printer the default Mac OS install or do you have Acrobat Pro installed as well?

    3. Is your indd document CMYK or RGB colorspace?

    4. If it is CMYK, have you set custom options for overprint colors?

     

    By default, 'white' is not an overprint compatible color as there is no printer that 'prints white'. If/ When you choose to 'overprint white', you instruct InDesign that you want white 'knocked out'. This may possibly be a reason as if white is set as a custom overprint color, it may not appear in your PDF/ final print output.

     

    Have you by any chance grouped the 'white' layer with other layers? If yes, do you have any other custom knockout/ overprint set to your other elements of the group?

     
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    6. Marian Driscoll,
    Apr 18, 2012 7:01 AM   in reply to kellyLynMayer
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    This topic really belongs in the InDesign forum.

     

    There are hundreds of participants there.

     

    There are only 7 participants in this forum.

     
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  • printisnotdead
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    7. printisnotdead,
    May 13, 2012 12:47 AM   in reply to kellyLynMayer
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    No printer prints "white". White is more of a default mode wherein nothing is printed. How about if you convert your output into a format where every element is cemented into one. In that case, what the printer will be printing in the area you had issue on will be the texts and shadows.

     
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  • printisnotdead
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    8. printisnotdead,
    May 14, 2012 12:34 AM   in reply to kellyLynMayer
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    Exporting and importing of images between different platforms can be tricky like that. I'm not sure where to start troubleshooting your problem, but your printer should be able to help you somewhat.

     
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