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AMORE
Inspiring
January 28, 2022
Answered

How do I export separations for Lithographic printing?

  • January 28, 2022
  • 7 replies
  • 1568 views

Hello,

 

I work at printers where we use a two-colour litho machine for printing larger jobs. I use InDesign print options to export to a postscript file with separations but recently have come across an error after recent updates. I have tried installing an older version to no avail. I should add that the problem only occurs when trying to export with trapping.

 

The error is: "Export Error: The Adobe Print Engine has failed to output your data due to an unknown problem."

 

I came across another thread where someone had the same issue but their troubleshooting did not help in my case. 

 

This raises the question: what is the most common way people export files for printing in this method? I have always used this method as it is what I was taught when I started working here, but it seems out-dated.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer AMORE

It would appear that the problem is existing within ID. I have managed to produce the postscript using my usual workflow on an old Mac using ID 2018. 

 

I didn't notice this issue directly after updating to the latest version of ID which I find odd. I have also tried a previous version available on CC to no avail.

7 replies

Community Expert
February 4, 2022

Hm. Maybe a Windows update broke the feature?

Pure speculation from my side.

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

AMORE
AMOREAuthor
Inspiring
February 4, 2022

Definitely a possibility. I've been meaning to have a look into that.

Community Expert
February 4, 2022

AMORE said: "What I'm finding particularly strange is that this error has only happened in the last month or so."

 

What version of InDesign did you use the last time when all was working good for you?
On what operating system? I think that bug is about three years old now with InDesign versions 2020 to 2022.

 

Rob, do you have the chance to test custom trapping from InDesign when printing to separations with InDesign CC 2019 and 2020 on a Mac? ( No In-RIP-Trapping. )

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

AMORE
AMOREAuthor
Inspiring
February 4, 2022

I've used this workflow for the past year and a half at least. Both on Windows 10 and 11. Always used the latest version of ID. 

Community Expert
February 3, 2022

Ok. InDesign CS6 version 8.1.0 is working as expected.

InDesign CC 2019 as well. All ok.

 

Errors with:

InDesign 2020

InDesign 2021

InDesign 2022

 

All tests done on the same Windows 10 machine.

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

AMORE
AMOREAuthor
Inspiring
February 3, 2022

What I'm finding particularly strange is that this error has only happened in the last month or so.

 

I'm struggling to understand why the problem has suddenly popped up but it's reassuring to see that you can recreate this error.

Community Expert
February 3, 2022

Hi AMORE,

I see the same issue on my Windows 10 machine.

With InDesign 2021 and 2022.

 

PPD is Adobe PDF9.0.

Two process colors should be written, Cyan and Magenta.

Also tested with all process colors.

 

Tested with the [Standard] trapping set, tested with a custom trapping set.

Always the same result, an error message like you see.

 

 

Will test with other versions of InDesign down to CS6.

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

AMORE
AMOREAuthorCorrect answer
Inspiring
February 3, 2022

It would appear that the problem is existing within ID. I have managed to produce the postscript using my usual workflow on an old Mac using ID 2018. 

 

I didn't notice this issue directly after updating to the latest version of ID which I find odd. I have also tried a previous version available on CC to no avail.

rob day
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 3, 2022

The Adobe PDF 9.0 PPD is working for me with CC2021. My OS is Mojave so maybe it‘s an OS problem?

AMORE
AMOREAuthor
Inspiring
February 3, 2022

I'm using Windows 11. Just happened to have an old Macbook to test it on.

Abambo
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 28, 2022

Best is not to use the print option in InDesign. It never worked great for me. I export any file to PDF and then print the PDF file.

 

Also: Separation should be done "at the very last moment". I never felt the need for doing that myself…

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
AMORE
AMOREAuthor
Inspiring
January 29, 2022

Okay. I'm realising that maybe a PDF will be readable on the Rip software which I had not realised... I always print to postscript. Will try this on Monday. Thanks.

Derek Cross
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 29, 2022

The PDF print experts usually recommend PDF/X-4.

Community Expert
January 28, 2022

You can print PDF/postscript to achieve separations, but there is no way to "Export" separations from Indesign. The more common workflow is to export composite PDF, and allow the RIP to perform the separations, trapping, output compensation, etc.

And this depends on the capability of your RIP, can you provide the name of RIP you are using?

AMORE
AMOREAuthor
Inspiring
January 29, 2022

Believe it is RipMate.