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Wood N Treasures
Participant
April 12, 2017
Question

Flattening Transparency in Book Cover Design

  • April 12, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 1611 views

Hello, I recently created several book covers and a couple of them, turned out poorly when submitted to the print company in pdf format. Each had white lines running through them which didn't appear in the ai file or the pdf file prior to submission. However, when I used the online digital proofer, the lines appeared. I was told there were images that needed to be flattened prior to creating the pdf. Every method I try (using youtube tutorials, etc) leaves lines all over the cover. How do I handle this issue?  I appreciate the assistance.

Chris

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    2 replies

    Eternal Warrior
    Eternal Warrior
    Inspiring
    April 12, 2017

    As Monika Gause​ already stated. We need images and details to give any help! Even a cross section if there is any conflict of interest.

    Best,

    EW

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 12, 2017

    Please show.

    Also: please tell us some details about the printing process.

    W
    Wood N TreasuresAuthor
    Participant
    April 12, 2017

    Well, the print process is Amazon's CreateSpace. I don't know the details. They require a pdf doc for print covers. I designed the cover in Illustrator and created a pdf with "High Quality Print" setting (which I've done many times before without a problem). I get a pdf that looks great to me, and even uploads to CreateSpace cleanly. The only place the lines show up is in CreateSpace's Digital Proofing tool. I called and spoke to one of their technicians, who told me about flattening the transparency. I've tried tutorials, but I get even worse results (lines all throughout the cover).

    As near as I can tell, these lines are the edges of the placed images. They are either vertical or horizontal. I get these lines to show up all over the image whenever I try to flatten the entire cover. My biggest problem is I don't really understand what flattening actually is. I'm trying to read up on the subject, but I'm not getting it.

    Since my files look good, I can't show you, unless a screenshot of the digital proofer is good enough.

    Chris

    J
    jdanek
    Inspiring
    April 12, 2017

    Sounds like "stitching" artifacts.  Make sure your Raster Resolution matches your image resolution in the file.  You shouldn't need to be concerned with "flattening" the file, but there are ways of doing it before you create the PDF.  One way ( sorry Monika ) is to create a ( copy ) of your native files as EPS, then save the EPS as PDF. When the EPS is Saved, it gets flattened.  I did a book cover where I had a drop shadow overprinting a photograph; kept the native .ai file live up until it was approved.  Then, I Saved As EPS and actually used Distiller to create the PDF.  No problems.  The key is to use high res ( 300 ppi ) images, raster effects, and Raster Resolution in the document.  In rare cases, I have run into White lines, but they generally appear on-screen and don't print.  What are you seeing in your printed proofs?

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