Final PDF file has art errors that aren't in the InDesign file

Question

After exporting 8 different lo-res versions of the interior of a 4-color book, the final send-to-printer PDF file had an issue with several art elements getting mangled. The PDF in question was generated using the same InDesign file as version 8. The only difference was the PDF preset used. The first 8 versions used Smallest File Size, with Crop Marks and Use Document Bleed Settings selected. The final version used Press Quality, again with Crop Marks and Use Document Bleed Settings selected. All of the images affected were flattened TIFF files.

This is pretty much the process we follow all the time for books. (Well, maybe not *8* rounds of corrections before final output.) Does anyone have any idea what might have happened? I need to prevent it from happening again. Thank you!

Willi Adelberger · Accepted Answer

When you have PDFs, place PDF/X-4 and no other flair of PDF into InDesign. Don't convert them to TIFF. Leave them in RGB and convert them to CMYK with final PDF export. Don't flatten transparency. Never use small file size if the file is for print.

For print use a PDF export to a PDF/X version what the printer requires.

With your workflow what you have described, I would be very surprised to get good quality.

leo.r · Answer

1. Your versions of InDesign and operating system?

2. Can you please elaborate on "several art elements getting mangled". What exactly happened? Can you provide screenshots of mangled vs. non-mangled art.

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