Grey Box appears under text effects when printing from InDesign or PDF. Help!

[elenaf14971050]

Hi experts / folks,

I can't figure out how to get rid of the grey box that appears underneath my text when printed, which have effects applied to it in In Design (drop shadow / bevel&emboss etc.). I have tried printing from both PDF and In Design and am getting the same result (doesn't happen with just a white background but I have a color background.) I know it has something to do with the transparency flattener setting or something like that, but the internet has not given me clear instructions on how to fix. This file is to be a digitally printed sign and I need to know that this wont be a problem for the printers!

Any insight helps,

Thanks! 

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

Can we see a screenshot of the object in question along with the Effect panel. Thanks!

[Bill Silbert]

What kind of printer are you printing to? Inkjet or Laser printer? Have you tried printing on another printer?

[BobLevine · Accepted solution]

Sounds like this:

https://indesignsecrets.com/eliminating-ydb-yucky-discolored-box-syndrome.php

[Karleena5E87]

I FOUND A SOLUTION!

I was experiencing the same issue but on text with no effects applied. It would export to pdf just fine and look great in Acrobat, but when I printed it, there was a yucky shading behind any text that was on top of or in a coloured shape. I tried a million things and finally figured it out. 

I created a new transparency flattener preset (called Text to Outlines) that converts all text to outlines upon exporting. Then, you have to make sure there's a tiny box somewhere on your page that has no fill, no outline and has a transparency less than 100%. When you export the file, choose PDF/X-1a:2003, then in the Advanced tab, select your transparency flattener preset (Text to Outlines) and then export. And like magic, it will print without a yucky box around the text!

With this method, I didn't have to mess with any of my colours or anything.

Hope that helps someone 🙂

[rob day]

Hi @Karleena5E87 , You might also try Printing as Image from AcobatPro—Print>Advanced>Print As Image. Sometimes that works, and you don’t have to jump through the flattening hoops.

[Karleena5E87]

Thanks, that's a good idea too @rob day. I did try that and it works for me. My challenge is that I need to send these documents to my non-designer coworkers to review and print. I need a solution that will give me the confidence that it is printing properly for everyone.