Copy link to clipboard
Copied
This problem just started recently. Imported pdfs with transparency are outputting to pdfs with error. I'm using indesign 2016. Sometimes the transparent background simply drops out and does not appear in the pdf. I am using these output prefs: http://www.publicationprinters.com/Files/IndesignCS2-CC.pdf
thanks
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
You should give us more information on those PDFs which you have imported.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 4:09 AM Willi Adelberger <forums_noreply@adobe.com>
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Your reply is blank.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
What info do you need on the imported PDFs? They are cmyk or greyscale, ads that are sent in by customers. Its sometimes the backgrounds or a logo that drops out and seems to be limited to those pdfs that contain transparent objects. They look fine in the original PDF but when I import them into the indesign file and export them with Compatibility set to Acrobat 5 (PDF 1.4) (which does not flatten) I'm getting intermittent drop outs.
I can upload some examples or problem files, but I can not upload a pdf here in this reply. Is there a place to do that?
thank you
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
They look fine in the original PDF but when I import them into the indesign file and export them with Compatibility set to Acrobat 5 (PDF 1.4) (which does not flatten) I'm getting intermittent drop outs.
Does it happen if you export using the PDF/X-4 preset?
You have to use a file sharing service like Dropbox or Adobe Cloud to share files
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
It happens using Acrobat 5 (PDF 1.4) compatibility
Here is the summary text of my PDF export settings:
Description
Use these settings to create Adobe PDF documents for quality printing on desktop printers and proofers. Created PDF documents can be opened with Acrobat and Adobe Reader 5.0 and later.
PDF Preset: PubPrinters
Compatibility: Acrobat 5 (PDF 1.4)
Standards Compliance: None
General
Pages: All
Spreads: Off
View: Default
Layout: Default
Full Screen: Off
Generate Thumbnails: Off
Optimize PDF: Off
Create Acrobat Layers: N/A
Export Layers: Visible and Printable Layers
Include Bookmarks: Off
Include Hyperlinks: Off
Export Nonprinting Objects: Off
Export Visible Guides and Baseline Grids: Off
Create Tagged PDF: Off
Interactive Elements: Do Not Include
Compression
Color Images
Bicubic Downsample at: 300 ppi
for images above: 300 ppi
Compression: Automatic
Tile Size: N/A
Quality: Maximum
Grayscale Images
Bicubic Downsample at: 300 ppi
for images above: 300 ppi
Compression: Automatic
Tile Size: N/A
Quality: Maximum
Monochrome Images
Bicubic Downsample at: 1200 ppi
for images above: 1200 ppi
Compression: CCITT Group 4
Compress Text and Line Art: On
Crop Image Data to Frames: On
Marks and Bleeds
Crop Marks: Off
Bleed Marks: Off
Registration Marks: Off
Color Bars: Off
Page Information: Off
Page Mark Type: Default
Weight: 0.25 pt
Offset: 0p6
Use Document Bleed Settings: Off
Bleed Top: 1p6
Bleed Bottom: 1p6
Bleed Left: 1p6
Bleed Right: 1p6
Include Slug Area: Off
Output
Color Conversion: Convert to Destination (Preserve Numbers)
Destination: U.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2
Profile Inclusion Policy: Don't Include Profiles
Simulate Overprint: N/A
Output Intent Profile Name: N/A
Output Condition: N/A
Output Condition Identifier: N/A
Registry Name: N/A
Advanced
Subset Fonts Below: 100%
Omit PDF: Off
Omit EPS: Off
Omit Bitmap Images: Off
Transparency Flattener Preset: N/A
Ignore Spread Overrides: N/A
Display Title: File Name
Language: English: USA
Security
N/A
Warnings
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Right, I get that the printer is recommending those preset settings, but it seems that the relatively ancient (2001!) Acrobat 5 Compatibility setting is causing problems.
The printer claims to be using state of the art equipment, so surely they can handle the Adobe recommended PDF/X-4 preset, or at least Acrobat 7. You can export to PDF/X-4 and force all of the color into a single CMYK space by selecting the PDF/X-4 preset and setting the Output panel to their recommendations.
At Publication Printers Corp., we provide superior printing services using state-of-the-art technology.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Ok. What the prepress guy told me was to try a later acrobat compatibility setting. He also said they recommend Acrobat 5 because customers who use spot colors can have problems. We don't use spot colors at all so shouldn't be an issue. Should I use the latest version? Are there pros & cons? Thanks
Sent from my iPhone
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
If you place PDFs in InDesign it is always the best to use PDF/X-4 regardless what the final output of the file will be.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
I assume you can't control how the provided PDFs are created, so export using Acrobat 7 then preflight and proof your PDF before sending it out. There's no foolproof PDF preset, so you should always check the PDF.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Ok - over the next few months I will experiment and see what works - thanks!
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
If you require PDFs from you clients, require PDF/X-4 with RGB or Greyscale Images and live transparency. If they bring you printed PDFs or PDF 1.3 (like X-1a or X-3) you will experience problems with transparency.