placed files with transparency outputting to pdf with error on page

[HindSightDeSign]

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

[Willi Adelberger]

You should give us more information on those PDFs which you have imported.

[HindSightDeSign]

On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 4:09 AM Willi Adelberger <forums_noreply@adobe.com>

[BobLevine]

Your reply is blank.

[HindSightDeSign]

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

[rob day]

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

[HindSightDeSign]

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

[rob day]

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.

[HindSightDeSign]

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

[Willi Adelberger]

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.

[rob day]

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.

[HindSightDeSign]

Ok - over the next few months I will experiment and see what works - thanks!

[Willi Adelberger]

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.