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SamKxvanagh
Participant
July 9, 2023
Question

Illustrator file exported to pdf looks white washed

  • July 9, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 302 views

I've created artwork in illustrator - purely text based, set up as CMYK. For some reason when I save it as a pdf the artwork looks white washed - as though there's a white overlay on the whole piece. I've exported it as a jpeg and the file looks perfect. Can't fathom why, when saving as a pdf, it's doing this? Is it because the text isn't outlined or is it related to the export settings? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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2 replies

Mike_Gondek10189183
Community Expert
Mike_Gondek10189183Community Expert
Community Expert
July 10, 2023

Where does it look that way in Illustrator or Acrobat or both? What happens if you try another preset? 

 

Would this happen if one of the layers was off. This setting affects the making of PDFs not just print.

 

 

 

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SamKxvanaghAuthor
Participant
July 10, 2023

Thanks Mike, I've selected "all layers".
So I export it and view in acrobat. On desktop it looks fine, but when I view on mobile it looks whitewashed...don't know if I can trust the desktop view enough to send to print?

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 10, 2023

I would rather worry about the mobile.

 

Is your desktop color managed? Did you calibrate the system and monitor? Is your color management set up in Illustrator according to your needs? WHich profiles did you use? How did you set up color conversion when writing the PDF?

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 9, 2023

Have you set up your color management appropriately?

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SamKxvanaghAuthor
Participant
July 9, 2023

It's entirely possible that I haven't. I usually work with digital design as opposed to print!

How do I check this and are there recommended settings for this?

Thanks!

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 9, 2023

The settings for Illustrator are in Edit > Color settings. You might want to synchronize the color management over the Adobe apps via Bridge.

But also your monitor needs to be calibrated.

 

The actual settings depend on the output. THis depends on where you are located as well as the printing tech used by the service provider. The "[Country] Prepress 3" gives you an idea. In addition to it, turn on all the profile warnings. Talk to your service provider about the profiles they use.

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