Patterns not showing upon Export as PDF

[wuts23143389]

Hi all,

Mac OS Catalina, Adobe CC (latest)

I have an artwork for a book cover which I use AI's native pattern swatch (Hatching). If I export the artwork as a vector file such as PDF or SVG, the patterns are gone, whilst the pattern retains if I export the artwork as a raster image such as JPEG or PNG. I never really had this problem prior, could you help?

Exporting as PNG (retains pattern):

Exporting as PDF (see attached PDF file)

Thank you for any advice.

[Ton Frederiks]

There are indeed no patterns in the PDF.

Can you share the PDF with Illustrator editing capability checked (or share the .ai file)?

CC filesharing, dropbox, Google, WeTransfer...

[wuts23143389]

Hi Ton,

When I use "Save as" to PDF with Illustrator editing capability checked, the PDF does show the pattern correctly; however since I am placing the file to InDesign for a publication, when I use Export Book to PDF function in InDesign the pattern disappears again.

In anycase, here's the .AI file via Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nf4l2jjyl19mkyk/AACS9z3kLSv-768W5cM1jZW0a?dl=0

Much appreciate for the help!

[Ton Frederiks]

Thanks for sharing, see what Brad has to say abot your problem.

You can also select all objects with the pattern fill and use Recolor Artwork to change the black into white. It will automatically save a new modified version of your pattern.

[wuts23143389]

Thank you Ton!

[Ton Frederiks]

Good to hear it is solved.

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse · Accepted solution]

The hatching is indeed in the PDF, but you've changed the colour mode to RGB for some reason (your file is CMYK and you're going to print, there is no need for that). You've applied a hatching pattern that is actually Black strokes and you used the Lighten transparency mode to turn them White. This really isn't the way to do this. This will NOT show in RGB mode – The Lighten mode looks at the Black strokes and correctly determines it is not lighter than the colour behind it so "nothing" happens)

How to fix? EDIT your pattern: Double Click on your pattern swatch which opens the Pattern Edit window and change the strokes from Black to White. Close the Pattern Edit window and everything should be fine. In fact you don't need to use Lighten mode anymore.. change that to Normal.

(Hint: in Pattern Edit mode, If you want you can "Save a Copy" and call it e.g. Hatching White, should you not want to overwrite the existing Black pattern)

[wuts23143389]

Hi Brad!

Thank you so much and apologies the for late reply. Your explanations and steps were clear and concise, super awesome!

I exported to RGB for sending drafts to clients who will view the file on their screens, no reason otherwise. And the date was intended to be 2021 as the book is a summary of previous year's findings, but I appreciate the warning. Thank you again Brad, have a lovely day!

- Wut S

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

Happy trails!

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

Also, if this is a project for an upcoming date, note you still have 2021 in your date!!

[lucae90388177]

Hello everybody.

I made this file with a basic line pattern that doesn't show up when I save it into Pdf. Pattern appears when I open PDF file whit AI but not in the PDf. Is a CMYK file for print.

Does anyone can help me? 

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

your "pattern" constists of lines that do not have a stroke. They only have a fill. 

Since they are striaght lines, this fill cannot be visible. Illustrator shows it, because that's how it shows things, but actually your lines would be invisible. You need to make them as strokes.