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Participating Frequently
May 3, 2012
Answered

How do you export a "flat image" pdf? So confused.

  • May 3, 2012
  • 1 reply
  • 40802 views

Hello,

When I export from indesign, I typically choose the "Press Quality" job option to send my files to the printer.  However, I've run into a situation where a printer I'm intersted is having a problem with my pdf files.

I design with lots of drop shadows, transparency and other effects.  When I open the exported pdf in Acrobat, I see the file layer itself open.  The background appears first then all the graphics in front of it appear. 

This is what's causing issues with the printer.  If I would import and open in Photoshop, I could simply choose "flatten image" and resave as whatever file type i wanted.  However, I am wondering if there is anything in Indesign already that would help me eliminate that step?

Thanks for your help, I would love to clairfy if I left any details out.

Thanks,

Steve

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Peter Spier

It still pops layers in after doing that, though its not as bad.

I tried it with clicking the transparency box as well and choose the high resolution setting with no success either.  It made the red sunburst white again.


If you run the PDF Optimzer and just change the compatibility to Acrobat 4 it will flatten the transparency and remove any layers in the PDF becasue they are not supported at that level.

Acrobat 5 supports transparency, but not layers, and Acrobat 6 or later supports both. I have no idea where your layers are coming from without knowing precisely what you are doing.

I will ask you again, is overprint preview eanbled in Acrobat? Check your Acrobat preferences.

1 reply

Steve Werner
Community Expert
Steve WernerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 3, 2012

Press Quality PDF preset does not flatten transparency. That's probably what the printer is having problems with.

Choose PDF/X-1a instead. On the Advanced panel be sure to choose a High Quality Flattener Preset. That preset will flatten transpraency.

B
busyadvertisingAuthor
Participating Frequently
May 3, 2012

I just did everything you said and unfortunately, it actually did the exact same thing as if I chose Press Quality.

Still confused.

Steve Werner
Community Expert
Steve WernerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 3, 2012

What version of Acrobat are you using? I'll tell you how you can check the flattening in the PDF file. (It's different from Acrobat 9 and Acrobat X).

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