Character Style Not Retained in PDF Export from InDesign

[johnr54626971]

If I apply a character style to just a few words within a paragraph-style text in a InDesign CC document, after selecting File/Adobe PDF Presets/PDF/X and saving, on opening the PDF all the document's formatting and text attributes are reflected with the exception of the words to which the chararacter style has been applied. Am I missing something? PS: I've never used character styles before in a PDF but presume Acrobat can support them.

<Title renamed by MOD>

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @johnr54626971,

Thanks for reaching out! To get a clearer picture of the issue you're facing with the character styles not reflecting correctly in your PDF export, I have a few questions that will help us diagnose the problem:

1. Could you please share the version of InDesign you are currently using and the details of your operating system? Knowing this information will help us check for any compatibility issues.
  
2. Is this issue occurring with just one particular file, or are you experiencing it across multiple files? This will help us determine if the problem might be file-specific.

3. Was this feature working for you earlier, or is this the first time you've noticed this problem? Any history of similar experiences can provide useful context.

Additionally, it would be really helpful if you could provide:
- A screenshot that clearly shows the difference between your InDesign document and the exported PDF. This will help us see exactly how the character styles are behaving.
- A screenshot of the export settings you used when creating the PDF. This could give us clues if there's something affecting the output.

Looking forward to your response so we can assist you further!

Thanks, 

Abhishek Rao

[Willi Adelberger]

Styles are never conveyed to PDF, only their appearance will survive and if activated, tags will remain. 

[rob day]

Hi @johnr54626971 , If you check the Character Style’s font in Find/Replace Font are its Restrictions listed as Normal?

[johnr7017304]

Thank you, Abhishek, for your prompt response. In reply:

1.
I am using InDesign CC 2014 under Windows 10.

2.
This is the first time I have attempted to embed a character style in a document for conversion to a PDF under Adorbe Acrobat. I created a second document for the purposes of these exchanges and the same occurred.

3.
Not attempted until now.

With this, there are five attachments. They are

1.
Screengrab of document page in InDesign. The words "look", "take book", "look down microscope", "Add Static Object" and "Single Location" all use the character style.
2.
Screengrab showing the InDesign character style set-up.

3.
Screengrab showing the InDesign PDF selection.

4.
Screengrab of resulting PDF.

5.
Copy of actual InDesign .indd Save.

[jmlevy]

The color you have choosen for the “Text Grey” character style is Registration 60%, that you should not use. I've changed it to Black 60% and the PDF is now OK.

To be honest, I have no explanation for knowing why Registration 60 % appears as 100 % in the PDF.

[rob day]

I have no explanation for knowing why Registration 60 % appears as 100 % in the PDF.

Hi @jmlevy , Acrobat is showing the overprint. Try turning on Overprint Preview in InDesign:

[jmlevy]

Hi @rob day Thanks! That is so obvious now that I even don't understand why I did not think about this…

[johnr7017304]

Enormous thanks, jmlevy, for that so-simple and effective fix. No doubt that other contributors' solutions are very worthwhile alternatives.

[rob day]

@jmlevy is right, setting the text to 60% of the [Registration] swatch results in an output value of 60|60|60|60, total ink 240%, not 60% Black (CMYK 0|0|0|6)

You need to turn on Overprint/Separation Preview to display the expected ouput color for a PDF/X-1a export on an offset press. Use the [Black] swatch for your Character Style.

Also, if you inspect the text in AcrobatPro the Color Space is listed as Separation, All—not DeviceCMYK