How to convert an interactive file to Black and White without flattening file?

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
December 18, 2024
3 replies
756 views

I designed a document in InDesign that has some interactive text fields so that clients can fill in their information and print the document. I have been asked to make a black and white version, but I can't find a simple way to do it that doesn't result in flattening the whole file or removing the interactive text fields?

Any help would be hugely appreciated!

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Correct answer Joel Cherney

Well, there are no color mode conversions within the app. I can't think of many uses for such a feature, since it can be done at print or export time. Export to print PDF has a full range of conversion options, including grayscale... but the export to Interactive PDF, like nearly everything to do with that slightly wonky format and platform, does not.

Michael, you'll find the "just convert everything to greyscale" option not in ID, but in Acrobat. Once you've exported your interactive PDF form, you open it up in Acrobat and go to "Convert Colors" which you'll find in the Print Production tools. Doing so should leave all your interactivity untouched.

BobLevine

Community Expert

You can replace the artwork in Acrobat without touching the interactive fields.

Willi Adelberger

Community Expert

In Acrobat Pro you can convert the file in greyscale without destroying the interactivity.

Willi Adelberger

Community Expert

Export to PDF, convert to output profile, use a geyscale profile.

James Gifford—NitroPress

Legend

What format are you exporting to/providing the document to users in?

M

Michael28312949xskoAuthor

Inspiring

I'm exporting them as interactive PDFs,. but ultimately they will be for print. They are single page, letter sized documents that have a few interactive text fields. The idea was that we distribute the file to different groups, they add their contact info in the fields provided and then they have a personalized, printable copy.

M

Michael28312949xskoAuthor

Inspiring

I think changing the ID original to BW/grayscale is your only good option.

And I assume there's a reason for the request, but any form can be printed in monochrome... of course, relying on office denizens to do so and conserve color resources is asking a lot.

(Hmm... can PDFs be pre-set to print in grayscale? Or is that an app-level setting only?)

Yeah, I explained to them that most if not all printers convert to grayscale automatically if it is for a black and white printer.

I'm honestly a little surprised there isn't a simple "convert mode to grayscale" option in ID.

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