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M
Mrprintalot
Inspiring
July 8, 2020
Question

Saving as PDF loses transparency when printing

  • July 8, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 3452 views

I have a design that has color opacity gradients in it. when i save it as a pdf, everything is shown correct until i try to print it with a  printer. In my printers program the transparency is gone, also the design is printed without transparency. I get this working by using the Print command to create a PDF with adobe pdf printer. Why is that I can't use save as to create PDFs with transparency for print production? 

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2 replies

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Jacob BuggeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 8, 2020

Mrprintalot,

 

What happens if you print the saved PDF while using a PostScript (emulating) printer driver or while having whichever possible management by the printer disabled/unticked?

 

F
federico platon
Legend
July 8, 2020

Please do not use Print command to create a PDF, as print flattens transparency (and layers).

The right way to get a PDF in Illustrator is with File>Save or File>Save As. (there is a dropdown list for saving as Ai, EPS, PDF, SVG,...)

 

 

M
MrprintalotAuthor
Inspiring
July 8, 2020

I am aware of Print not being the best option. How can i find the best options for saving as PDF, because sometimes the transparency effects disappear and sometimes they don't. Right now i have no clue why they do, and why they don't.

M
MrprintalotAuthor
Inspiring
July 9, 2020

Can you please upload a link to your PDF using the buttons at the top right of the window in Acrobat? I don't want to download your PDF because the website looks dicey. Do you see a print setting to Simulate Overprinting?


https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:c9ab2a53-f0d8-49ef-9c8f-b7fa71c15cb3

1. I am trying different options right now. I got it to work when using Compability with acrobat 4. 

2. Yes, no gradients, just flat colors.

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