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T
techytraveler
Participant
April 30, 2025
Answered

Illustrator 2025 - Saving file with cut line/swatch to PDF, auto creates Clip Group, deletes swatch

  • April 30, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 1455 views

In Illustrator 2025 I created a cut line, dragged the swatch down and labeled it: Cut, Spot, CMYK, then saved. I then 'Saved As' the file as a PDF and sent it to the printer (big company printer). The printing software flagged it because 'there was no cut line labelled'. I opened the PDF version in 2024 and I could see that the 2025 version of AI automatically created the Clip Group (to package everything inside of the Artboard for PDF viewing), and it also deleted my labelled swatch. 

 

I went back to the original AI file (with the cut line labelled in swatches) and opened it in my 2024 version and 'Save As' as a PDF. No issues with that PDF, Swatches intact, no 'Clip Group', etc.

 

So AI 2025 must have added a new feature (which doesn't help printing with cut lines). I contacted Adobe and asked for a call back, no call back at all. Went through Chat, they couldn't even answer the first question. I called their phone number and the guy hung up with me because he didn't know the answer. Finally got another tech support person who said he never heard of any feature like that that can be disabled. 

 

Has anyone had an issue with 2025 creating Clip Groups and deleting Swatches when saving as a PDF? Or can you do a quick test to see if it does it? It would have to be created with 2025 and then opened by another version of AI to see if it created the 'Clip Group' and deleted the Swatch because if you open it with 2025 again, there is no problem, it views it like it's supposed to be. But the printer swears they use AI 2025 and they are having a problem with cut not being labeled. 

 

Is there a setting I can disable? I hate not being able to use 2025 just because of one issue but this one cost me a lot of time today. 

The screenshot shows the original file in AI 2025 and a cut line layer, the second screenshot shows the PDF file in 2024 with the Clip Group layers that AI 2025 created when saving to a PDF. 

 

Correct answer Monika Gause

If you do not want clip groups, then you have to save with Illustrator editing functions.

 

But you have to do this from the original source file.

 

Here's how Illustrator saves files: https://youtu.be/IpDh8Y7q8yE

1 reply

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
April 30, 2025

When you save as a PDF and do not turn on "Illustrator editing functions", then you will get clip groups.

Are you sure that "Illustrator editing function" was turned on when saving the file?

Also: what settings did you use in color management when saving the PDF?

T
techytravelerAuthor
Participant
April 30, 2025

Thank you! The 'Illustrator editing functions' was checked, so I just unchecked it. I'm not sure how to check the Color Management but the Color mode is CMYK. I tried it again and the swatch came through but it still is showing the 'Clip Group' in the new PDF. As long as the Swatch and Cut options came through, that'll work!

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
May 1, 2025

If you do not want clip groups, then you have to save with Illustrator editing functions.

 

But you have to do this from the original source file.

 

Here's how Illustrator saves files: https://youtu.be/IpDh8Y7q8yE

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