Skip to main content
R
Rob the Slob
Known Participant
January 21, 2020
Answered

Unstable transparency layer InDesign

  • January 21, 2020
  • 4 replies
  • 970 views

I have an ID file where the appearance of a color-dodged layer changes whenever I try printing the document . . . both with low-end printers in the office and with digital proofs from our printer. The only way I can get a hard proof that matches what I see on my screen is to do a screen grab. The resulting .png prints the way it looks on screen. 

 

An X-1a PDF doesn't replicate the appearance of the ID file, though newer versions do. That said, even the newer versions lose the correct appearance when "simulate overprint" is checked off in Print Production / Output Preview. And whether or not that box is checked, no matter how the image looks on screen the file doesn't print correctly.

 

I'm assuming this has something to do with color settings and settings for source and destination, but honestly, I don't know what to do to fix it. I don't know if the image attached is helpful, but I'll answer any questions anyone has to try to narrow things down. (The image shows how I want the design to appear, with white type transitioning to black with white outlines, and a rough area in the mid-region.)

 

Rob

 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer rob day

It‘s happening because you are using the default [Black] CMYK swatch for the text set to Color Dodge, and it is set to Overprint . If you make a copy of the black swatch and use it for the fill it should work. To get a preview of the print output in InDesign you should normally have Overprint/Separation Preview always turned on.

 

Your file using default [Black] with OP on:

 

 

 

With the text filled with a copy of the [Black] swatch set to knockout—Overprint unchecked in the Attributes panel:

 

 

 

 

4 replies

rob day
Community Expert
rob dayCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 23, 2020

Just to clarify, it is the overprint setting of the [Black] swatch that’s causing the problem. You could change the Overprint [Black] Swatch setting in the Appearance of Black Preference, but you want the black text on the back cover to overprint, so I think using a copy of the [Black] swatch is safer. Also, the Color Dodge blend mode will produce white if the CMYK color is 100% black only, and set to knockout—a black with CMY, or an RGB black will not work.

 

 

    R
    Rob the SlobAuthor
    Known Participant
    January 23, 2020

    Your first response saved the day, Rob Day! 

     

    Made sense immediately, but I never ever would have figured it out. And yes, much better to use a copy of Black than to have all the copy on the back of the book knock out from yellow.

    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    January 22, 2020

    It‘s happening because you are using the default [Black] CMYK swatch for the text set to Color Dodge, and it is set to Overprint . If you make a copy of the black swatch and use it for the fill it should work. To get a preview of the print output in InDesign you should normally have Overprint/Separation Preview always turned on.

     

    Your file using default [Black] with OP on:

     

     

     

    With the text filled with a copy of the [Black] swatch set to knockout—Overprint unchecked in the Attributes panel:

     

     

     

     

      Geоrge
      Geоrge
      Legend
      January 23, 2020

      >> [Black] CMYK swatch for the text set to Color Dodge

      Yep! You're right

       

      @RobAtSu

      You're need to 

      1) >> Overprint/Separation Preview always turned on

      You don't have any bug.

      2) For effect you're wanna to have you're need to set text color in opposite - to the "white" and it will be print as you want. 

      3) In Acrobat preview do checking your pdf with Output Preview 

       

       

      Remember, never say you can't do something in InDesign, it's always just a question of finding the right workaround to get the job done. © David Blatner
      BobLevine
      Community Expert
      BobLevineCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 22, 2020

      Are you using spot colors? If so, unless it's actually being printed that way, convert them to process.

      Geоrge
      Geоrge
      Legend
      January 22, 2020

      Can you give here link to indd-package through dropbox/yadisk. And then somebody will help you if have it example on his own hands. And give us with package screenshots of 1) what you want and 2) what is "bug".

      Remember, never say you can't do something in InDesign, it's always just a question of finding the right workaround to get the job done. © David Blatner
      R
      Rob the SlobAuthor
      Known Participant
      January 22, 2020

      George,

       

      Here is the complete InDesign package, including screen grabs showing wrong and right appearance of the title text.

       

      Rob

      Geоrge
      Geоrge
      Legend
      January 22, 2020

      Sorry that I can't find enough time for you (I don't understand at glance why your packaged fonts don't shows in my indd). Therefore I was open your PDF and find that you are have somehow "overprint of white". Can you tell how you do this transparency effect on white text?

      Remember, never say you can't do something in InDesign, it's always just a question of finding the right workaround to get the job done. © David Blatner
      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices