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Inspiring
Nov 13, 2025 6:06 AM UTC
Answered

Is this normal for a print made in ID from a PDF

I wanted your thoughts on if this was normal when printing a document through a third party printer.  I have been told its normal and moire but I have never seen anything quite like this.  Looks more like printing that hasn't gone right, really jagged tones.  This was sent as specifited as a print ready PDF.  All images are 300ppi and no compression etc. Is this normal in offset printing?  

 

dinz100001Correct answer
Inspiring
Nov 13, 2025 10:30 PM UTC

It is digital printing print on demand. There isn't any quality control or checking, have had multiple issues with this printer so am moving on to a knowledgeable local printer. 

17 replies

rob day
Community Expert
Community Expert
Nov 15, 2025 10:51 AM UTC

Hi @dinz100001 , It could be happening in the way you are handling color profiles. What profile is assigned to the image, and what are your PDF output settings? Can you share a PDF you are sending to the printer?

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Inspiring
Nov 15, 2025 11:00 AM UTC

The settings were followed to the printers requirements. Colour profile Gracol2006 and output settings all high quality JPG max quality, all images above 450ppi resampled to 300ppi. Also to note this happened on only some images whilst others not effected at all. Reckon it was an issue with lack of quality control 

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rob day
Community Expert
Community Expert
Nov 15, 2025 11:14 AM UTC

Gracol2006

 

Gracol2006 is an offset CMYK profile, do you mean you are converting your images to CMYK and outputting to a composite printer?

 

 

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Participating Frequently
Nov 13, 2025 12:50 PM UTC

It looks like a ripping issue on the printer's end. Your sure this was printed offset?

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dinz100001AuthorCorrect answer
Inspiring
Nov 13, 2025 10:30 PM UTC

It is digital printing print on demand. There isn't any quality control or checking, have had multiple issues with this printer so am moving on to a knowledgeable local printer. 

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Participating Frequently
Nov 15, 2025 4:21 AM UTC

ok. Digital printing makes sense. I only seen this issue on digital and not offset.

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Mike Witherell
Community Expert
Community Expert
Nov 13, 2025 12:18 PM UTC

No, this is not normal. It is unacceptable printing. Was this not seen at the proof stage or press inspection stage?

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Mike Witherell
Inspiring
Nov 13, 2025 10:28 PM UTC

Obviously there doesn't seem to be any proofing or press inspection. I was told it's moire and to try blurring parts of the photo as a response. 

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