Graphics and tables with transparency for printing

[Mateomono]

Hello!

I’m new to print and have tables and ai graphics that are transparent in my book layout. Is this ok for print and will it show up correctly? I read something about flattening but its not clear to me. 

[Willi Adelberger]

What file types are the graphics? If they have transparenccy, they should be in PDF, AI, PSD or TIFF. 

If they have vectors or text parts, use PDF or AI. 

If you have PDF, use PDF/x-4 for import only. 

[Mateomono]

The graphics are all AI files, so there is no issue then.

However, the tables are created within InDesign. How should I tackle that?

[Willi Adelberger]

Export content from InDesign as PDF/X-4 or save them as INDD and place it into another INDD file. 

[Mateomono]

@Willi Adelberger

Thank you for your input! If I understand correctly, since my graphics are all imported as AI files, they will be fine. For the tables, I need to export them from one InDesign file as PDF/X-4 and then import them into the book file?

[Mateomono]

@Willi Adelberger

Do I need to flatten the graphics for the tables?

[Willi Adelberger]

No, why should you? Export as PDF/X-4. That will keep all transparency correct alive.

[Mateomono]

@Willi Adelberger 

Thank you! I don't know, I was under the impression that I needed to flatten transparencies. 

[Mateomono]

@Willi Adelberger 
I just realized that for the tables I don't have transparency. There is a tint. Is this a problem for print (the book will not have colors)? And if it's not a problem, can I just leave the tables as they are in my InDesign file without needing to export them as PDF/X-4 and import them into my book file?

Thank you!

[Mateomono]

The tint is 20% from black 

[Willi Adelberger]

TINts have nothing to do with transparency.

[Mateomono]

@Willi AdelbergerYes, I just realized that. I was under the impression that I had transparency. But do tints cause any trouble for printing?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

[...] . But do tints cause any trouble for printing?

By @Mateomono

Not at all. Unless they are close to 0 or  100%. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

How is this project being printed? If a high-end laser printer (like Kinkos/FedEx) or an up-to-date digital press you should good with PDF/X-4. If using an offset press, make sure the printer can work with the PDF/X-4 files. Most can but it depends on how modern the printer's equipment is. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

The tint is 20% from black 

By @Mateomono

Does your tables overlap your graphics? 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Mateomono

Can you post a screenshot of a sample page?

If your table doesn't overlap any graphics - no need to worry. 

If they overlap - do you have a color as a fill for the cells in the table? 

[Mateomono]

@Robert at ID-Tasker  Here is a screenshot. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Mateomono

If there is no graphic behind the table - table doesn't overlap any graphic elements - no need to worry at all.

[Mateomono]

@Robert at ID-TaskerThank you very much! One question that is still open regarding this topic is: if I apply tints to my black colors, can that cause problems for black-and-white printing, or does it not matter?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Robert at ID-TaskerThank you very much! One question that is still open regarding this topic is: if I apply tints to my black colors, can that cause problems for black-and-white printing, or does it not matter?

By @Mateomono

Not at all. 

As long as it won't be close to 1%.

Below 3-5% it might not print all - if you're lucky - or you'll have uneven areas. 

20% will print perfectly fine. 

[Mateomono]

@Robert at ID-Tasker Thank you very much for your help! 🙂 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Robert at ID-Tasker Thank you very much for your help! 🙂 

By @Mateomono

You're welcome.