How to Export Transparent Images for Print in InDesign: Troubleshooting Issues

[ming_wai_5992]

Hi all,

I am working on a study project that creating a fashion booklet to print. I converted my transparent images from RGB to CMYK in Photoshop and I have double checked in file info that they are in tiff format and CMYK color space. I placed the images to Indesign then I hit print booklet and exported a Press Ready PDF from Acrobat Distiller. As a result, some of the transparent images work and some of them do not work, but all images are exported in the same way. I feel very confused. I also tried linking the images in PSD format, but still. Does anybody know what is wrong with my steps? Thank you so much! The screenshots below are taken from the Press Ready PDF.

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[Steve Werner]

The problem is that Distiller doesn't understand transparency. It only understands the PostScript language which never supported transparency.

There's usually no reason to convert images from RGB to CMYK in Photoshop before placing in InDesign. That's also an ancient technique.

Place the RGB images into InDesign and choose File > Export > Adobe PDF and export as PDF/X-4. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

In addition to @Steve Werner 's sage advice, how are you creating the transparency in Photoshop? 

Use PSD files--no need for TIFFs.

Stay in RGB but preview in CMYK for adjustment.

Knock out the background (KOBs) with either layer masks or clipping paths. 

EXPORT to PDF, not print or other Distiller process.