Exporting for print PDF makes images pixelated

[Mae5CAC]

I am exporting a multipage document as a PDF for print, but when I do so, some of the images become very pixelated. The images are all above 300 dpi and 3000x3000, and there are no missing links in InDesign for those pictures. Is there a way to export that doesn't make it pixelated? I have attached a screenshot of a zoomed-in part of the PDF compared to the same part in the InDesign projet. Thank you!

[BobLevine]

You are zoomed in at 1600%. Of course it's going to be pixelated.

There is nothing abnormal or unexpected going on here. It should print fine.

[Laubender]

Hi @Mae5CAC ,

please provide a sample image file where you see the issue.

Also the scale factor of the image after you placed it in InDesign.

When you export to PDF make sure that downsampling of images ist turned off.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

[Bill Silbert]

What PDF preset are you using when you output the file as a PDF? Make sure that you use either High Quality Print or Press Quality. This should give you the best possible results. Although, as Bob said blowing the image up to 1600% will always lead to pixelization. 

[rob day]

Hi @Mae5CAC , When you Export there is an option in the Compression tab to Downsample images with an Effective Resolution over a defined threshold—it looks like your image in the PDF was downsampled.

Select the image and check the LinkInfo’s Effective Resolution, if you really want the exported resolution to be the listed Effective Resolution, turn off Downsampling in the Compression tab