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Change PDF Preset used on "Print Booklet"

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
July 29, 2019
4 replies
1496 views

Hi, everyone!

I've noticed you can use the Prink Booklet option on InDesign to export a PDF with the pages in the correct order for, duh, a booklet. That's awesome.

However I've also noticed this feature won't give you the option to choose the outputted PDF preset (X-1, X-4 etc.), it'll just use a X-1 automatically (I think it's X-1 because it gives you flattening options, and X-1 is the preset that deals with flattening, since it doesn't support transparency, right?).

Is there any way to tweak these settings so I can get a X-4 output using this feature? I've had problems with X-1 flattening creating the famous "white lines" that in the end were printed and clearly visible on the final print and the client was really mad, so I just avoid using X-1.

Thanks!

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer rob day

Is there any way to tweak these settings so I can get a X-4 output using this feature?

There's not a way to get a true X-4 when distilling a postscript file because .ps will flatten all transparency. Whether distilled postscript is going to be a problem depends largely on the content of the document. If you are forced into a postscript workflow all of the color would have to be in the final CMYK output space and you would want to avoid complex transparency effects because the transparency will get flattened

Useful answer. Acrobat's booklet feature will let me choose the preset, but will not create trim/bleed marks set in InDesign. I figure I'd have to (1) export a PDF with bleed content but without marks, then (2) open it in Acrobat, (3) manually set marks and (4) then export the booklet from there using a X-4 standard.

I’m not encouraging the Print Booklet workflow—imposition should be handled by the printer—but you could include printer marks.

You could also convert to a PDF/X-4 standard in AcrobatPro, but it would be futile because all of the downsides of the distilled postscript (flattened transparency and limited color management) are baked into the distilled PDF.

Add marks via Print Settings...

rob day

Community Expert

I've had problems with X-1 flattening creating the famous "white lines" that in the end were printed and clearly visible on the final print and the client was really mad, so I just avoid using X-1.

Stitching artifacts wouldn’t normally show up in high resolution output (i.e. a platemaker running at 2400+dpi).

They do show on low res devices like displays or composite printers with low res output. Or if the printer opened the PDF in Photoshop and printed from there—if they are expecting the client to impose that might have been a possibility.

BobLevine

Community Expert

Those are flattening artifacts and if you distill it won’t matter what you do, they will be there.

rob day

Community Expert

Those are flattening artifacts and if you distill it won’t matter what you do, they will be there.

Maybe, but if the page is RIP’d at a high enough resolution they won't print, which makes me think the OP was getting low res output.

You can test by "RIPing" a PDF/X-1a into Photoshop at a high res.

Here is 72ppi anti-aliased and the artifacts are very obvious:

But for offset printing the the page will be RIP’d at a much higher res—typically 2400dpi or more is needed for a 150lpi halftone screen.

Here's 2400ppi with no anti-aliasing:

rob day

Correct answer

Community Expert

Is there any way to tweak these settings so I can get a X-4 output using this feature?

There's not a way to get a true X-4 when distilling a postscript file because .ps will flatten all transparency. Whether distilled postscript is going to be a problem depends largely on the content of the document. If you are forced into a postscript workflow all of the color would have to be in the final CMYK output space and you would want to avoid complex transparency effects because the transparency will get flattened

Useful answer. Acrobat's booklet feature will let me choose the preset, but will not create trim/bleed marks set in InDesign. I figure I'd have to (1) export a PDF with bleed content but without marks, then (2) open it in Acrobat, (3) manually set marks and (4) then export the booklet from there using a X-4 standard.

I’m not encouraging the Print Booklet workflow—imposition should be handled by the printer—but you could include printer marks.

You could also convert to a PDF/X-4 standard in AcrobatPro, but it would be futile because all of the downsides of the distilled postscript (flattened transparency and limited color management) are baked into the distilled PDF.

Add marks via Print Settings...

E

Eugene Tyson

Community Expert

https://forums.adobe.com/people/rob+day wrote
Useful answer. Acrobat's booklet feature will let me choose the preset, but will not create trim/bleed marks set in InDesign. I figure I'd have to (1) export a PDF with bleed content but without marks, then (2) open it in Acrobat, (3) manually set marks and (4) then export the booklet from there using a X-4 standard.
I’m not encouraging the Print Booklet workflow—imposition should be handled by the printer—but you could include printer marks.

I think this was before I realised why they were doing it - lesson learned - ask first!

Great answer by the way!

Jeff Witchel, ACI

Community Expert

What you should do is share a link to this thread with your client. Show the client what the experts think. And maybe they'll agree to let you find a new printer.

Just my 2¢!

E

Eugene Tyson

Community Expert

The print booklet feature really is a legacy thing that is there for proofing in house and shouldn't really be used to make a PDF.

Instead, use Acrobat and use the Booklet feature there.

Print booklets using Acrobat or Reader

You can then use File>Export and choose PDF and export a PDF in the settings you want and print it.

TatazildoAuthor

Known Participant

Useful answer. Acrobat's booklet feature will let me choose the preset, but will not create trim/bleed marks set in InDesign. I figure I'd have to (1) export a PDF with bleed content but without marks, then (2) open it in Acrobat, (3) manually set marks and (4) then export the booklet from there using a X-4 standard.

BobLevine

Community Expert

What you need to do is find a new printer.

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