Why did my TIFF barcode I added to the PDF become JPEG

[ron_6898]

Why did my TIFF barcode I added to the PDF become JPEG after converting the PDF to press-ready?

[ron_6898]

I do not know how to edit my above question, which might be incorrect. This might be a better question to start with: Does Adobe Acrobat Pro XI change the file type when an image is added to the PDF?

[ls_rbls · Accepted solution]

Hi @ron_6898 ,

It does automatically, I'm afraid.

Adobe Acrobat Pro is an PDF editor, not an Graphical Image Manipulation platform. As such, it is somewhat limited when it all breaks down to the basics; so, when an image is added, the TIFF becomes a JPG.

It does it based off of  the Preferences settings "Convert to PDF" for TIFF files.  It doesn't provide options to keep that image as a TIFF file. 

Here's a side-by-side comparison:

However, you can adjust those settings (like shown in my slide below), to improve the image quality when it is uploaded onto your PDF document.

NOTE:

I only have Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, I don't have Acrobat Pro XI, but if you can find those Preferences in your version, You may appreciate better results with the settings that I've posted above:

[ron_6898]

Thank you, @ls_rbls . I will try to improve the quality in that way you described; however, my bigger concern is that suppliers like Amazon specify certain file types, in my case for the barcode. Amazon wants a vector file (I will use EPS), but if Adobe Acrobat converts the files to JPEG, which are not vector files, I have a problem. Many other people must have encountered this apparent conflict, therefore my thinking on this matter must somehow be flawed. Or maybe everyone else is not using Adobe Acrobat to prepare their book covers for submission.

[ls_rbls]

I see all the Amazon requirements though, and it appears to be extensive.

I forgot to ask if you intend to use Adobe Acrobat to produce barcode labels, and I also forgot to mention that Acrobat Pro DC, can produce Barcode and QR code with a barcode generating utility. It is accessed using the Prepare Form tool but It requires a separate license to meet the specifications and requirements that you are looking for.

This old discussion may point you in the right direction:

•  https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-discussions/insert-qr-code-into-pdf/m-p/9997555

Using this guide you can create the necessary fields in the PDF and produce the barcodes (I assume this is what you are referring to):

• https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/fba-help/QRG/FBA_2DBarcode_Requirements_en-US.pd...

[ron_6898]

@ls_rblsI will not be producing barcode labels. I am just trying to apply barcodes to my book covers in a way that will make IngramSpark and Amazon happy.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

What color mode is your TIFF file in (look in Photoshop). If the barcode is simply black and white, it should be in Bitmap mode in Photoshop, ideally at a high resolution around 1200 ppi, and saved as TIFF with ZLW-compression. 

If you want a vector file, use Illustrator and save as PDF (unless the vendor ONLY accepts the outdated EPS format).

[ron_6898]

Thanks @Dave Creamer of IDEAS however, I do not have Photoshop or Illustrator.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

While I prefer the Adobe products, if budget is a problem, there are other options out there, some free.

[try67]

TIFF files are not vector-based, normally, unless they include a clipping path. Are you sure your file has that?

[ron_6898]

Are you responding to me, @try67 ? I plan to use TIFF barcodes for IngramSpark book covers. As far as I know, IngraSpark does not require vector files, but KDP requires vector files.