Failed to export to PDF for a large poster

[F_Rivera]

I cannot seem to save 2 large projects to PDF

These are my steps for exporting:

1. file

2. adobe presets : PDF X-4 or hi quality print

3. include bleed

4. attempt to save

5. rejection

I have recreated the file from scratch

I have moved the file to a new file

I have asked a different person to save the file > no luck

I had our IT guy try to "downsample"... it only worked when we scaled it half way and then weird stuff happened

C:\Users\frivera\Creative Cloud Files

[Scott Citron]

1. Do you have enough hard drive space on your destination drive to hold the PDF?
2. Have you tried restarting your computer?
3. Also, are you getting this error when exporting from InDesign?

[F_Rivera]

Hi Scott,

1. Yes, my IT department has ensured i have more than enough space

2. restarted multiple times

3. yes, from indesign

[F_Rivera]

Also, in dealing with large format posters. That should not stop InDesign from working properly right?

188in X 66in

and

66in X 117in

[Derek Cross]

What is the size of the document?

If it's a large poster that's to be viewed from a distance the resolution of images can be quite low – say 50PPI.

[F_Rivera]

They will be wall posters, the dpi right now is 150-300 and the image still isn't as sharp as I'd prefer it to be. I'm concerned going lower will blur or pixelate the images

[Derek Cross]

Make a copy of the document, lower the resolution of images to say 100PPI and see if you can export it as a PDF. If it works, you've isolated the issue.

And try a bit of Unsharp Mask filter on the images.

[F_Rivera]

Just tried lowering the resolution. It worked it did create the PDF but now the images are pixelated. The current images are under 100 ppi so I will try to raise it little by little.

[Derek Cross]

Yes experiment, but as I mentioned, posters that are viewed from a distance (unlike a book or magazine illustration) do not have to have such a high resolution.

[F_Rivera]

I understand, in this case, people will be able to walk right up to it. Will they? maybe some.

Why doesn't Indesign have the capacity for large format projects? I have tried recreating in photoshop but it said the scratch disks were full...

[Derek Cross]

Check the system requirements: InDesign system requirements

[F_Rivera]

Hi Derek,

My IT department confirmed that I have more than the requirements, the vendor has confirmed that I need a higher quality image and my Indesign nor Photoshop allow me to export a hi quality file of this size. It's not that large compared to billboards. Its 5ft 7in x 9ft 7in

[BobLevine]

You haven't explained anywhere near enough.

In your original post you said "weird things." Please be specific.

You said you have more than the requirements but didn't tell us what they are.

Have you tried scaling everything down to say 25% and letting the printer scale it up?

[F_Rivera]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for jumping in to help,

1. "weird" the final imaged was warped. See below, this is on a second project I am also struggling with
   
   
   
   
   
2. For the requirements I wasn't told what they were, I will ask and reply back
3. I have tried scaling it at 50% but I was still having issues with the low resolution. I will try again to see if anything else has changed

I have attached the final image below, this is the low res version

[BobLevine]

First thing I would try is to export to IDML and work on that.

Then I'd start deleting half the object in the file and exporting a PDF. Then try the other half.

Keep going to until you find the culprit.

[F_Rivera]

Asset Type:	Windows
Last user:	Rivera, Franchesca
OS:	Windows 10 Pro (64 bit)
Build:	10.0.17134.523
Version:	1803
Domain:	srg
Manufacturer:	Hewlett-Packard
Model:	HP ZBook 15 G4
SKU:	2TC42UP#ABA
Memory:	16 GB
Processor:	Intel Core i7-7820HQ CPU @ 2.90GHz
Motherboard:	HP 8275
Graphics:	Intel(R) HD Graphics 630 1.0 GB NVIDIA Quadro M2200 4.0 GB
Audio:	Conexant ISST Audio NVIDIA High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
Antivirus:	CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor Enabled & Up To Date
Network:	Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet  - 80:CE:62:D7:F3:EC 10.181.18.195
Harddisk:	C: Windows 85.6 GB free of 235.5 GB

For the computer specs

Newest error message when I tried to increase the resolution in the image

[F_Rivera]

With the Nissan car ad above I was able to save as PDF once I got the background image to be the correct resolution. I didn't do anything different other make it the exact size needed and then raised the resolution. 

For the long vertical image with 2 photos, that one has really been freezing my computer. I will try what you suggested on Monday.

[BobLevine]

There is zero reason for something this size to ever have a file that big.

[F_Rivera]

Hi Bob,

I missed what it was that I was doing wrong and how I should correct it. The goal is to create an image with 300ppi resolution so that its a clear image when printed.

The steps I do get this outcome are:

1. open photoshop
2. go to image/image size
3. increase the size of the image to match sizes of the artwork
4. then increase the resolution to 300 and select preserve details (enlargement)
5. then I save as jpg and import into InDesign and into my layout
   
   

in Indesign:

1. I insert the photo
2. check the links panel to see the resolution
3. save as Adobe PDF x-4 to include bleed
4. then boom, rejection

which part of this process is incorrect?

*I have tried to duplicate in photoshop so that I didn't have to use Indesign but I had errors there as well

[Derek Cross]

When you state "rejection", can you explain how this is indicated.

[F_Rivera]

The "failed to export PDF" box appears, I put a screen shot in the first post of this thread

[Derek Cross]

The image of the error message is Photoshop – I thought you were exporting from InDesign using the Adobe PDF Presets?

As Bob states, at 2GB you seem to have overdone the enlargement of the image!

[F_Rivera]

The very first screenshot at the top of this thread is InDesign, the photoshop screenshot is not the one I'm referring to but I understand that the error message reads as too high, 300ppi is considered standard in the print world, I do not understand how that is too high.

Is there anyone else on the team that is able to understand how to help me correct my process so that I can export this file at the right resolution?

[BobLevine]

F.Rivera  wrote

300ppi is considered standard in the print world, I do not understand how that is too high.

Considered by whom? Seriously, anyone throwing that around for ANY print project should be ignored.

While 300 may be a rule of thumb it is hardly a standard. I've done some excellent work with 200 or even a little less. For posters I've gone as low as 25 with excellent results.

BTW, I don't recall seeing this mentioned anywhere but you should be using RGB images.

[F_Rivera]

Hi Bob,

The images are RGB, I have sent the file to China with a res of 150 and it was rejected. The images were pixelated on their end. Also this is not just China, I have vendors in Mexico and Michigan that also have this requirement unless the material is fabric then they allow the 150ppi.