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PrintServices123
PrintServices123
Participant
July 26, 2023
Question

Unlinked Image Mystery

  • July 26, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 1401 views

I recently emailed a PDF created in InDesign to someone who uploaded it for print to 4-over, but when she received the printed postcards, one image (customer's logo) on it appears to be unlinked: clear spaces filled in white and jagged edges throughout/not a pixilated problem. The rest of the postcard is fine and clear including the other images used.  I rechecked the original file and the logo is linked and looks fine.  Is it possible for a PDF to suddenly "unlink" an image?  I packaged the file to her but she says she didn't open the InDesign file and re-export; she just uploaded the front and back files I had created and sent along.  Any ideas?  A friend said there may be some proprietary image issue going on.  The logo was fine, had many high resolution file formats to choose from. I used a PDF.  Any help is appreciated! I don't want this to happen again if it's something I can learn to avoid.

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    3 replies

    E
    Community Expert
    Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 27, 2023

    What filetype is the logo? What's the effective ppi if any, was it vector or raster?

     

    Here's my guesstimation on what happened. 

     

    The file has a transparent background.

    And this happened
    https://creativepro.com/eliminating-ydb-yucky-discolored-box-syndrome/#:~:text=The%20answer%20is%20to%20have,the%20way%20to%20the%20left.

     

    It's impossible to know without seeing the actual file that went to print and more information about filetypes and general setup.

    If you care to share the indesign files/links and the print pdf we can investigate further.

     

    I would guess the printers processed the file and flattened the transparency and caused the image to drop to low resolution during a transparency flattening issue.

    Just a guess.

      PrintServices123
      PrintServices123Author
      Participant
      July 27, 2023

      Okay thanks everyone.. This affected image was a PDF but not a vector. Yeah it wasn't a font issue, those were outlined .. Interesting about the flattening causing a lower resolution, I will pay attention to that. But this was drastic and it wasn't even that it was low res, it was like it was stair-step jagged and just that one image was affected if they did flatten it..  This was a major printhouse, 4-Over, so definitely not old fashioned technology (though they can be so stupid and their quality control is dubious to nonexistent). I haven't heard from them about it, only have talked to someone who sent it off for her customer. Here is the file and links, don't worry about the fonts, I'm only interested in the image of the logo...   Appreciate your help. 

      E
      Community Expert
      Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 28, 2023

      I haven't had a chance to look at the files, thank you for supplying

      My idea was just a guess. 

      Not only can transparency flatteners lower resolution they can also cause upaamplijg in certain conditions.

       

      Interesting case you have. Thanks for sharing

      Robert at ID-Tasker
      Robert at ID-Tasker
      Legend
      July 27, 2023

      I don't see any kind of a mystery here.

       

      Do you have access to the file that has been sent to the print shop? 

       

      If it looks OK - then the problem occurred when file has been processed. 

       

      What kind of printing process - "old way" - printing press that required printing plates - or digital? 

       

      If printing place have not sent proof for acceptance - nor checked first few copies with at least what's on screen - then it's their fault... 

       

      Barb Binder
      Community Expert
      Barb BinderCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 26, 2023

      Hi @PrintServices123:

       

      The image was missing from the PDF you created? Did you check the PDF prior to forwarding it to her? PDFs don't just unlink files.

       

      InDesign can, when we move the assets from the folder InDesign is looking for, but this is prevented when you package a document, zip the new folder, send it on and have the new user unzip the folder. All of the linked content and fonts will be good to go.

       

      ~Barb

      ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
      PrintServices123
      PrintServices123Author
      Participant
      July 26, 2023

      Right that's what's so weird.  I packaged everything, all three images were linked.  The other two images came through fine, but that one doesn't looked linked to me in her photos.  We wonder if something else could be going on, like if there's some property attached to some files that disallows re-printing because of some proprietary issue or something. I mean, I could flatten, but want to know if this is a thing.

      Robert at ID-Tasker
      Robert at ID-Tasker
      Legend
      July 27, 2023

      Proprietary info can be with fonts - rather not vectors or bitmaps - and even something like that would be - you would be first to get a warning - when exporting PDF from InDesign - so I can't understand from where is this idea... Have printing place suggested it - to cover their backsides?

       

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