Lines appearing only when printing

Forum|Forum|8 months ago
May 29, 2025
4 replies
1051 views

I am at a total loss, I have created my design in InDesign, exported to PDF - looks perfect.

Then when I come to print, it is printing black lines across the page which are in the same locations as some of my box outlines. I have tried exporting to png and printing and it is printing the lines in the exact same place. The most prominent line being around the rope image which has a transparent background

I have adjusted Transparency Flattening to High, I am exporting to PDF/X-4 as I have seen other people suggesting this.

I have cleaned the print heads on my printer just in case. (it's a brand new inkjet printer)

I am stuck now. I am really new to InDesign. Please help!

Print

Correct answer yorkshire_9126

Thank you, I have done that, the lines have moved relative to the layout so it is definitely my printer

Y

yorkshire_9126Author

Participant

thank you all for you help, the issue I'm 99% sure is with my printer which is frustrating as it is brand new!!

Peter Spier

Community Expert

Rotating the print as I suggested above will tell you instantly if the problem is the printer or the file, by checing the location of the lines. If they move relative to your layout, it's the printer. If they stay in the same place on the layout, it's a file problem.

Y

yorkshire_9126AuthorCorrect answer

Participant

Thank you, I have done that, the lines have moved relative to the layout so it is definitely my printer

AlanGilbertson

Community Expert

That looks very much like a printer artefact, likely misaligned printhead(s). Not all of the lines correspond to image boundaries, so that doesn't look like a factor. Your printer utility should have a nozzle check or printhead alignment routine, and I think that would be worth a go.

Y

yorkshire_9126Author

Participant

I think you are correct, the issue is with my printer. I have performed head cleaning and alignment and there's also lines printing on the page on these. So frustrating. Thank you for your help