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håkank25959037
Participant
March 21, 2023
Answered

Problem with pictures when exporting to pdf.

  • March 21, 2023
  • 5 replies
  • 471 views

When I export to pdf the pictures get pixelized even though I use the Print quality option. This is a new phenomenon, because the same InDesign file that exported perfectly in December, resulted in pixelized pictures in March. In between there has been at least ione update of InDesign. A new bug? A new export option that i haven't noticed?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Bill Silbert

After every InDesign upgrade the program treats the first save of any old document as if it was a "Save As". It may be the case here that you will need to make sure that the links to the original graphics are still reading in the Links Panel without either the yellow triangle (image has been updated) icon or the red stop sign (image is missing) icon next to the names of any images. Also, as Derek has said the effective ppi must be checked. This means that if the original image is 300 ppi then it must be in InDesign at 100% in order to maintain that resolution. Any enlargement would decrease the resolution and lead to pixelization.

5 replies

Community Expert
March 21, 2023

Hi @håkank25959037 ,

did you convert the document from a previous version of InDesign to a newer one, perhaps the latest one which is InDesign 2023 version 18? Then first save the document to a new file, close the document, re-open the document and try again.

 

FWIW:
Also make sure that your PDF Export settings do not downsample the images to a lower resolution than you expect…

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

Bill Silbert
Community Expert
Bill SilbertCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
March 21, 2023

After every InDesign upgrade the program treats the first save of any old document as if it was a "Save As". It may be the case here that you will need to make sure that the links to the original graphics are still reading in the Links Panel without either the yellow triangle (image has been updated) icon or the red stop sign (image is missing) icon next to the names of any images. Also, as Derek has said the effective ppi must be checked. This means that if the original image is 300 ppi then it must be in InDesign at 100% in order to maintain that resolution. Any enlargement would decrease the resolution and lead to pixelization.

håkank25959037
Participant
March 21, 2023
Thanks. Will check this.
Rishabh_Tiwari
Legend
March 21, 2023

Hi @håkank25959037 ,

 

Sorry to hear about the trouble. In addition to the suggestions shared above you can also try the steps shared here and let us know if this helps or if you need further assistance.

 

Thanks

Rishabh

Jumpenjax
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 21, 2023

Make sure the link is attached to the original InDesign file.

Lee- Graphic Designer, Print Specialist, Photographer
Derek Cross
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 21, 2023

Double-check the Effective PPI of the image in the InDesign Layers panel to see if it's around 300PPI just in case it has been inadvertently changed. In addition, check the picture is still Linked to the original image.

Also, export it as a PDF/X-4 preset to see if that makes any difference. 

Make sure you view the PDF in Acrobat.