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Photoshop Layer effects not working when imported to InDesign

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
March 2, 2020
3 replies
2975 views

Lately when importing a .psd file with layer effects (drop shadows w/multiply blend mode) into InDesign, the effect prints muddy grey and opaque. Any thoughts?

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Correct answer rob day

Photoshop Blend Modes do not get applied to InDesign page items. What color mode and value are you using for the Photshop drop shadow

rob day

Community Expert

The reason I asked about the shadow color is you can imitate the Multiply Blend Mode by using an RGB black, or a rich CMYK black (Black + CMY) for the shadow.

0|0|0|100 CMYK set to Multiply

0|0|0 RGB set to Normal

Marianne-Deiters

Participating Frequently

It may be due to the settings for reducing transparency - https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/flattening-transparent-artwork.html
The right choice of transparency fill space is also important (RGB or CMYK).

BobLevine

Community Expert

Rob has already answered correctly.

This has nothing to do with flattening or anything else.

It's expected, though, undesirable behavior.

rob day

Correct answer

Community Expert

Photoshop Blend Modes do not get applied to InDesign page items. What color mode and value are you using for the Photshop drop shadow

A

attiliol23486554Author

Known Participant

This wasn't always the case. I'm just recently have issues with this. Never had a problem before.

rob day

Community Expert

The Blend Mode question has come up before and Photoshop blend modes do not get applied to InDesign page items. The color mode of your PS drop shadow would affect how its transparency gets applied in ID, and an RGB drop shadow might act like Multiply, which is what I’m showing in my 2nd post.

You can see it more clearly if you place a Photoshop object that has an applied Blend Mode like Difference.

Here the red circle set to Difference blending with a green rectangle in Photoshop:

The red circle PSD set to Difference placed in ID:

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