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Kay h plus p
Kay h plus p
Participating Frequently
October 17, 2017
Question

drop shadow with low resolution

  • October 17, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 2062 views

If you create a Drop Shadow between 19 - 55 mm in size and export the page as PDF-X3 with 300 dpi, the full resolution is not rendered (check with Acrobat Pro DC - Preflight with image resolution check). Under 19 mm and over 55 mm everything is OK. Tested on Windows 7 + 10 (InDesign CC + CS6) and Mac (InDesign CC)

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1 reply

rob day
Community Expert
rob dayCommunity Expert
Community Expert
October 17, 2017

I see the same—I get 256ppi for larger shadows. i'm guessing it's because there's nothing to resolve so anything higher is wasted pixels. You could also move to PDF/X-4 where the transparency (shadows) is kept live and resolution isn't an issue.

Kay h plus p
Kay h plus pAuthor
Participating Frequently
October 18, 2017

Thanks for your input.

Unfortunately with a drop shadow of 50 mm the output resolution is only 105 ppi, which is not as tolerable as the 256 ppi you describe. Starting from 18 mm the output resolution gets progressively worse until it hits 55 mm where the preflight says it's all fine again. It's really bizarre.

With a PDF/X-4 the issue does not occure but most printing services still need a PDF/X-3, so this is not yet a valid option.

Dov Isaacs
Dov Isaacs
Legend
October 18, 2017

https://forums.adobe.com/people/Kay+h+plus+p  wrote

…With a PDF/X-4 the issue does not occure but most printing services still need a PDF/X-3, so this is not yet a valid option.

Actually most “printing services” don't really need PDF/X-3 or PDF/X-1a, but rather they feel comfortable with it due to lack of knowledge / training and/or fear. Virtually all direct PDF RIPs from the last 7 to 10 years fully support PDF/X-4 with ICC color management and in-RIP transparency blending!

It is sad how many professionals in an economically-distressed industry act like modern day Luddites when it comes to using well-supported and proven 21st century PDF print publishing workflows.

          - Dov

- Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
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