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Dave of Doom
Participating Frequently
April 26, 2021
Answered

Masked K Raster Image Over PMS Disappearing In PDF

  • April 26, 2021
  • 4 replies
  • 2386 views

Hi All,

 

Okay!  I've got a photo with clipping mask that was created in PS. I'm placing this image into an AI file over a PMS background.  When a subsequent print-ready PDF is distilled, the photo disappears leaving only a knockout of the clipped image. Even more odd is that the portion of the image that isn't overlapping the PMS fill shows up fine. See the attached screenshot. However, when placing the same exact image over a 4/C background while changing nothing else about the AI file, it works perfectly. 

 

I've tried modifying dozens of different settings concerning the placed image within AI, but nothing I do works. I'm hoping someone here has a suggestion I haven't already tried. Regardless, someone at Adobe need to investigate this as a bug. 

 

Thanks in advance.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Ton Frederiks

Just saved and distilled your eps file as PDF/X-1a:2001 both work fine with Overprint preview on.

4 replies

Lukas Engqvist
Community Expert
Lukas EngqvistCommunity Expert
Community Expert
April 27, 2021

The file is most likely correct, and I would suspect the PDF viewing is not compliant with standards.

What PDF viewer are you using? The PDF viewers from Apple, Microsoft and Google along with many other browser based and mobile browsers fail to show overprinting. The situation you describe sounds like overprinting is not viewed propperly.

 

Open in Adobe Acrobat on a computer, enable overprint preveiw. 

 

If you need to print on a consumer printer that does not have overprinting there is in Acrobat an option to "simulate overprinting" when printing to these kind of printers. 

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 26, 2021

    I cannot reproduce that, I placed a greyscale .psd image with a clipping mask in Illustrator partially on a PMS filled rectangle both the save as PostScript > Distiller > PDF as the direct save as PDF works fine.

    Can you share an Illustrator file that shows the problem?

    D
    Dave of DoomAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    April 26, 2021

    I just recreated the test with a random screengrab, and got the exact same results. Files attached. 

     

    I created a K masked raster out of the screengrab in PS. Placed the K masked raster in AI over a PMS background. Saved as an EPS file. Distilled the EPS file with Acrobat. The photo has disappeared from the PDF.

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 26, 2021

    Just checked your mask-test.pdf and it looks ok with Overprint on.

    Will have a look at your other files.

      Ton Frederiks
      Community Expert
      Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      April 26, 2021

      Distilled? Do  you use the save as PDF of Illustrator?

      D
      Dave of DoomAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      April 26, 2021

      That's unfortunately not a possibility. The file is going elsewhere, where it will be placed it into a layout and ultimately exported as a press-ready PDF. This is the result of our department's (my) press ready export test, which the file fails. I've tried direct distilling of the file, placing the file into an InDesign doc and exporting a press-ready PDF from there, placing the file into two a proprietary composition systems and generating PDF proofs. It failed on all fronts. It works fine when layed-over a 4/C fill, but a PMS fill breaks it for some reason. The client requires this to print PMS+K. There are mechanical options that can ultimately be employed if the digital file continues to fail, sure. But I'd prefer to figure out why it's failing and see if there's non-mechanical a solution that's being missed before breaking elements into separate files. So, that's why I find myself here on this forum of Adobe professionals right now. 

      Kurt Gold
      Community Expert
      Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      April 26, 2021

      Which version of Illustrator are you using?

       

      D
      Dave of DoomAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      April 26, 2021

      I've tried the same composition (vector PMS background + K raster w/ clipping mask) in Illustrator CC 2021 (release 25.2.1), as well as both 2019 (release 23.0.3) and 2020 (release 24.3.0). I had the same result from all three versions of Illustrator.

      Mike_Gondek10189183
      Community Expert
      Mike_Gondek10189183Community Expert
      Community Expert
      April 26, 2021

      What file format is the placed image. Try using .PSD. Is there any blending mode on the image in transparency? What happens if you print the .pdf or open the .pdf in Illustrator?

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