Indesign flatten transparencies

Forum|Forum|6 months ago
November 23, 2025
1 reply
847 views

Hello. Sorry to bother y'all again.

In the Export Adobe PDF window, compression, which setting should be chosen for flattening transparencies:
PDF/X-1a:2001
PDF/X-1a:2003
PDF/X - 3:2002
PDF/X - 3:2003
PDF/X - 4:2010

Import and export

Correct answer Dave Creamer of IDEAS

When you make your PDF/X-1 or 3, everything will be flattened. Be sure to select High Quality for flattening.

You don't have to worry about layers in Photoshop or Illustrator files. If you are concerned about InDesign layers, simply turn off the "Create Acrobat Layers" option when exporting to PDF.

PDF/X-1 flattens transparancy and converts colors to CMYK and spot.

PDF/X-3 flattens transparancy buts does not convert color.

PDF/X-4 does NOT flatten transparency or convert color.

Willi Adelberger

Community Expert

All except X-4 flatten transparency.
Why do you want to flatten transparency?

M

M.E.310814321c2qAuthor

Known Participant

Hi.
In order to upload, rather export and then upload my book as a PDF,
the printer wants my images flattened.
I'm guessing or I understand that transparencies have multiple layers
and if all these layers are embedded (also what they want), then the file
is
way too large for them to handle, in some way I don't understand.

This is what the printer sent back to me. Flatten your transparencies.

Thus, I am not sure which choice to make in the window or list actually,
that I put into my post.
I have embedded my fonts, my images but they would not accept it until I
have done this.

I hope I was clear in my response to you.
Most of this is way over my head.

Cheers

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Correct answer

Community Expert

When you make your PDF/X-1 or 3, everything will be flattened. Be sure to select High Quality for flattening.

You don't have to worry about layers in Photoshop or Illustrator files. If you are concerned about InDesign layers, simply turn off the "Create Acrobat Layers" option when exporting to PDF.

PDF/X-1 flattens transparancy and converts colors to CMYK and spot.

PDF/X-3 flattens transparancy buts does not convert color.

PDF/X-4 does NOT flatten transparency or convert color.

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

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