Missing page elements when printing PDF to greyscale.

[bexterinni]

I created an InDesign file with RGB color transparency blend space. I exported it to an interactive PDF. The issue I have is, when the PDF is printed on three different printers, there are elements in the PDF that don't show up if it's printed to greyscale. When printed in color, the elements are there.

For example, I have a large text box with a dark blue background gradient and bold white type. It prints fine directly from InDesign to the printer, and looks correct once I export it to a PDF. When the PDF is sent to the printer, the dark blue box prints OK when printing in color, but when it's printed to greyscale, the dark blue box and type are missing even though all the other page elements are there.

I've attached a photo for explanation. I'm on an iMac, OS is Sonoma 14.6.1, Indesign is 20.0 and Acrobat Pro is version 2024.

I am totally stumped. Any suggesions or guidance is very much appreciated.

EDIT TO CLARIFY: the blue box is actually a gradient of dark blue to a slightly lighter blue at the bottom. I tried changing the box to solid, and it prints correctly in both color and greyscale. So, it has something to do with the fact that it's a gradient.

~bexterinni

[Luke Jennings3]

Do you need to export to an interactive pdf? I believe this will flatten any effects which could be the problem. Is the blue gradient a spot color? Does the gradient appear in print when the pdf/X-4 InDesign export setting is used? As a work-around, you could make a copy of the pdf and apply a preflight fixup to convert it to grayscale. Or you could replace the gradient effect with an image (create the effect in InDesign, then export it as an image and place it into InDesign). Can you upload a sample page of the pdf so we can have a look?

[bexterinni]

Hi Luke – yes, this needs to be interactive due to hyperlinks and internal page navigation. All of the colors in the palette are RBG process builds. The gradient is dark blue RGB process build to a lighter blue RGB process build. When I tried exporting to PDF/X-4 and printed it, I got the same results: it prints in color, it does not print in greyscale. Unfortunately I'm unable to upload a PDF because the information is proprietary.

This document will live online on a client's intranet, so the hope is that most users will access and view online/digitally anyway without printing, which is why a B&W version of the PDF isn't really required. TBH, I'm not sure why someone even tested printing it in B&W to begin with, but since they did, it's now my issue to try to solve.

Thank you for your response!

[Luke Jennings3]

It's hard to pinpoint the cause without a sample pdf. Do you have a print setting "Simulate overprinting" (under Advanced settings) does that help? Is the gradient grouped with other objects? What swatch color is used for the white type? Are there any effects applied to the white type? As a test, try changing the white type to another color, like black.

What happens when you replace the gradient with an image of the gradient?

[kevino2]

Hi Luke –

I saved out one page with this issue and Greeked the text, and I also uploaded the InDesign file and fonts for the sample page in case that is helpful. I tried printing this to greyscale and got the same results. The gradient is not grouped with anything else. The white type is swatch color "[Paper]". There are no effects applied to the white type. I changed the text to all black and printed to greyscale with the same results, except I can easily see the type, but the blue background is still missing.

I appreciate all of your suggestions!

[bexterinni]

BTW, that is my post above, I was signed in on a different accout. 🙂

[Luke Jennings3]

I am able to print your sample pdf in grayscale without issue, on my Epson inkjet printer. I suspect the gradation is not able to be converted to grayscale because your printer cannot "understand" it. Try updating your print driver, google your printer make & model, then download and install the current driver. I have attached an interactive pdf from your sample InDesign file with the gradation replaced with an image* does this print for you? if so, it may be necessary to replace all similar gradations, to insure grayscale printing will work for most users.

*The image was created by selecting the gradation and copy/paste-in-place on a blank page, export the  page as an image (jpeg, 300 dpi), then place the image on the original page at 0,0 offset and send to back, delete the original gradation. (ignore my missing fonts).

[bexterinni]

I updated my printer driver (Canon TS6420), and got the same results as before. Interestingly, I tried printing the PDF from Preview instead of Acrobat, and it printed fine in greyscale! So I am thinking that it might have something to do with Acrobat not interpreting the gradient (?). When you printed the PDF, did you print from Acrobat? I have the latest Acrobat Pro version running, so maybe it is a bug.

I was able to print your PDF with the gradient replaced with a JPG with no issues.

One other thing ... it's not only me having this issue with the gradients in this PDF – I have two colleagues who tried to print to greyscale on their own home printers and BOTH of them have the same exact problem.

I really appreciate your thinking and troubleshooting on this!

[Luke Jennings3]

I did use Acrobat to print your sample pdf (most recent version). I can't explain why Apple Preview works where Acrobat does not, but opening a pdf in Preview can damage it and saving from Preview might remove any interactivity and other features, so it's not best practice. This may be an Acrobat bug, you can report it here, if you like:

https://acrobat.uservoice.com/forums/590923-acrobat-for-windows-and-mac

[bexterinni]

Luke, thanks for your insights and input. I appreciate you trying to solve this with me.

–bex