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This has been a chronic question for years now and there isn't an easy answer that I've been able to find or use. Why aren't my background layers exporting? Below are screenshots of the doc in InDesign, the document and export settings plus two separate outputs to show that when the shape is within the margins it renders, but once it reaches the edge of the document, or bleeds, it doesn't export.
I am able to get smaller objects that only bleed at one corner or a smaller section of the document to export properly so it is only when using a background layer. Either as a gradient or solid fill.
I did see the initial probelm and exporting as smallest file size it exported correctly.
I switched to High Quality and it exported incorrectly.
The fact that you started a new document and it still happens, might something quirky with your default swatches.
Reset your Preferences.
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When you say background layer, what exactly are you referring to. Can you please show screenshots of your layers panel.
-Dax
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Can you provide a screenshot of the Advanced-tab please?
And just my 2 ct: Is that yellow box your final solution to to cover the text/something?
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The yellow box is just a quick cover up. This was for a potential client who went a different way, and I just didn't want their name in screenshots. Since they're immaterial to the question, I just put a box over their name. But here's the advanced tab.
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Sorry, I used "layer" like you would in Photoshop. Here's the layers panel, and as you can see I'm referencing the rectangle with the gradient in it.
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InDesign has a few ways to supress printing/export of images/layers
Check Window>Outpu>Attributes and ensure Nonprinting is not selected
or more likely - Window>Layers - then click the 3 lines in the top right of the panel - (above the blue score on the image on the right)
Layer Options> and ensure Print Layer is not turned off (there should be a tick mark)
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I just checked and nonprinting is not selected in Output but Print layer is selected in the layer panel, so that's not why the background isn't exporting.
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When you go to View>overprint preview in InDesign does the background disappear?
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No, the background is still there.
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That's odd.
Feel like sharing the file?
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Ok - when I first opened the file I got the same result.
I checked the swatches - and there's swatches in a folder - the royal blue colour - that did not show up any colour in the dialog box at all.
I deleted this swathc and replaced it with the swatch already there in the main panel of swatches.
And it all works now.
Seems to be some sort of file corruption (not uncommon and nothing to worry about)
You should use File>Export and choose IDML - open that and it opens as untitled.
And then save that as a new file.
Try the export now.
Failing that try the swatches steps above.
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Unfortunately, I'm still having the problem with the background even when I tried your suggestions. I even created a new document using only preset swatch colors and the background did not export when it covered the full document. It did export when it was only 3/4 of the document though.
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https://forums.adobe.com/people/Eugene+Tyson wrote
Ok - when I first opened the file I got the same result.
…
Hi Eugene,
very strange. I had no problem to export to PDF and seeing the background.
Tried with PDF/X-4 and PDF/X-1a presets.
InDesign CC 2019 version 14.0.1.209 on Windows 10 (German).
Regards,
Uwe
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Hi Lau
It only happened briefly but can confirm it happened for sure. I opened the file Indesign 13.1 on my Mac and had the issue.
Later opened on my Windows laptop and using 14.1 (latest version available of INDeisgn) and the issue persisted.
But also quickly disappeared.
It was like it was trying to use old information but somehow got overridden and resolved the issue.
That's why I thought that there may be some default settings corrupt on the users end, like default swatches, or a bad pref file.
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Interestingly enough, I downloaded and opened the indd file and was able to export a pdf with the background with no problem from your exact file. Can you tell us what version of InDesign you are using? 14.0.1 is the version I am on.
Also, I see that you are using the gradient feather tool. What happens if you just change it to a solid color, or if you change it to a normal gradient fading from your blue to white?
-Dax
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I'm in 14.0.1 as well. I even uninstalled and reinstalled so I'm working with a recently installed version.
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The problem for me appears to be with the bottom edge. Anything that touches or bleeds at the bottom edge of the document doesn't appear when I export.
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I did see the initial probelm and exporting as smallest file size it exported correctly.
I switched to High Quality and it exported incorrectly.
The fact that you started a new document and it still happens, might something quirky with your default swatches.
Reset your Preferences.
If that's not working then a clean install
Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems
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Thanks.
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And I'm having the same problems with solid as well as gradient backgrounds.
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SOLVED Had the same issue, found this elsewhere: Check your Acrobat preferences: Edit > Preferences, then click on accessibility and make sure "Replace Document colors" is NOT checked.