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Lynn22268089rsc5
Inspiring
May 10, 2022
Answered

Saving Illustrator .ai file to a PDF and losing layers despite print checked off

  • May 10, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 904 views

I have an old .ai label file and a new one. When I save both of them as a PDF from Illustrator 2022, it has a green background layer missing on both PDFs. I just noticed this new problem today. I have tried everything I can think of from saving the file as a copy, etc. I have even saved the PDFs in various compatibility versions, different print presets, and different combinations of Options checked off. I have worked with these label files for years and never had this problem. I suspect it's a glitch with Illustrator upgrades, but I had the same result using Illustrator 2020.

I then made a blank new document and copied & pasted the same layers plus made some new layers. It created a PDF just fine with all the layers and I used the same PDF settings as the .ai file that didn't work. I really am at my wit's end with this.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Lynn22268089rsc5

    I figured out the problem. It was Acrobat DC. I uninstalled and reinstalled it, then it worked fine. It must have been a glitch with a recent update. The defective PDF looked OK in Photoshop and when dragged into an email window. So it had to be a viewing issue. Now it is saving a correct PDF view from Illustrator. The only thing is I keep getting a message that says Content Preparation Progress: "Please wait while the document is being prepared for reading". Does anyone know what that is? It may be related to this issue.

     

    Thanks for everyone's help!! I appreciate it.

    2 replies

    Mike_Gondek10189183
    Community Expert
    Mike_Gondek10189183Community Expert
    Community Expert
    May 10, 2022

    I also am seeing both screenshots looking the same in colors.

     

    What I know is that this setting here says print, but more properly should say PDF & Print. So change to all layers and then save a pdf. Also check your layers if the visibility eyeball is on for all of them you want on the PDF.

     

     

     

     

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    Lynn22268089rsc5Author
    Inspiring
    May 10, 2022

    Hi Mike... Thanks for replying! Unfortunately, I'm not seeing this box the same as you. I'm on an iMac (not sure if you are). I clicked on PRINT and then Color Management. I get a different looking window. See attached.

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 10, 2022

    I see the green background in both files, but the second one has a larger artboard with the contents partially outside.

    What do you use to view your pdf?

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    Lynn22268089rsc5Author
    Inspiring
    May 10, 2022

    I use the current Acrobat DC. The weird thing is I sent the files from work to home. I have exactly the same Adobe software and Mac operating system. Everything worked just fine - I could see all the layers. So today, I uninstalled all versions of illustrator I have on my work computer and reinstalled the current version. I restarted my computer several times. I still get the same result!!

     

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