Building interactive forms in InDesign (can I overcome Acrobat limitations?)

I you create a PDF form in InDesign and export it as interactive PDF it will have the very same limitations as any other PDF form as it is a PDF.

Other forms are possible with web export but I don't think that this is what you want to accomplish.

Business cards will eventually be printed. PDF forms are not for printing because the print standards (PDF/X-1a to 4) don't allow form fields anyway. Interactive PDFs are RGB, but the output will be CMYK. So I think it is not a good idea anyway to use forms for printing purposes.

In the thread you reference, George Johnson gives a suggestion of using one text field that is centered and has rich text formatting enabled to allow for multiple styles within one field. He mentions using javascript, but unless I am missing something, I don't see a need for javascript. The one text field method (wo - js) seems as though it would address your issue.

Shawn wrote:

But you pointed out that PDF forms are RGB. Because of that, this project may be dead.

@Shawn – yes and no.

Yes, the PDF or parts of it might be RGB after using formfields. No, it could be, that the project is not dead.

Formfields can be flattened in Acrobat Pro. RGB can be converted to CMYK with the right settings in Acrobat Pro's Preflight feature. Even black text or lineart can be made overprint with that. Or by using additional software.

But it will depend on the colors (eg. process vs. spot) and the exact colors of texts used with the formfields in the PDF. Or with some additional tools postprocessing the PDF. Like using "callas pdfToolbox" or "Enfocus PitStop" Pro.

I would discuss that with the pre-press department of the printers. If they are very good in their job and well equipped it might be doable. Depends on your design as well.

What do you mean by "my OTF postscript font doesn't behave properly" ?

Uwe

Uwe, when you create form fields in InDesign you have to export it as interactive PDF. Interactive PDFs are always RGB, even the black is RGB.

Form fields are always in RGB, no matter what color space the underlaying PDF has.

Of course, those fields can be flattened. But I doubt that a manager who has no experience in printing software knows how to handle files with RGB sources to become clean CMYK and 100% K text files. I doubt also that she is using or knowing about additional costly tools. I think it would increase the complexity from the given situation.

It would be cheaper to buy InCopy, insert these names and let a professional in her company do the PDFing job.

I think form fields are not supporting specific OTF features, like ligatures, numbers, etc. There is a limitation in form fields.