Issues with transparency inside a placed image

Forum|Forum|7 months ago
September 5, 2025
2 replies
345 views

I've come across a specific issue with a placed image in InDesign and I'm wondering if there are any export setings that would fix this issue? An image of the issue is attached—the whole document is in CMYK and this placed picture is a PDF. The white box showing up in the middle of this logo only shows up in InDesign, I've opened the file in Illustrator and it seems to be perfectly fine there.

I've also checked the Overprint Preview, and the box does disappear with that preview on, but still prints with the white box. I'd love to try any PDF/InDesign settings to see if they help. Thank you!

Peter Spier

Community Expert

What program produced the PDF?

Probably not the proplem if overprint previe is correct, but show the import options when you place the file and be sure Transparent Background is checked.

E

elise_6385Author

Participant

Hi! I'm unsure what program produced the PDF, it was handed off to me to use, but it would be between Illustrator or InDesign I'm sure. I did go through and make sure Transport Background is checked when importing but it didnt help sadly. I have found out that the white box is only showing up in the one specific InDesign file I'm working in, because when I placed it in a new file the box is not there. So that's kinda helpful!

Peter Spier

Community Expert

Try exporting the problem file to .idml and open and save that as a new .indd.

If that still doesn't fix it, try moving the pages to a new file.

RvdT

Inspiring

If it's transparent in Illustrator, then why not save it as an .ai file and relink to the .ai file?

E

elise_6385Author

Participant

I might be able to do that, this just seems like something I could fix in InDesign by adjusting the right settings, I just dont know what they would be haha. The logo is already embedded in a PDF file so when I'm opening it in Illustrator it's just me opening the PDF, not a working file with just the logo or anything unfortunately.

RvdT

Inspiring

you can also "Place" a pdf

and then check 'Show import options'

and check tranparent background (the file has to have a transparent background)

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