InDesign CS4 will not print

[Guest]

Mac OS 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard); Adobe InDesign CS4.

When I hit splat-P or choose Print, I get the spinning beachball, followed by the wrist-watch. It stall here. Strange thing is even though the cursor indicates the program is hung up, I can use all InDesign tools to continue working on the document.

It never gets to the print dialog box.

I have restarted InDesign.

I have trashed the preferences files.

I have restarted my computer.

Other programs print fine.

I am able to export to PDF.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

rwsiii

[Erica Gamet]

Is the problem only with this file? You say you are able to print from other programs...what about from other InDesign files? If just this file, perhaps try saving it as an IDML file, then open the IDML file back into InDesign. If that doesn't fix it, try printing just one page at a time to see if it's just one rogue page. Since you're not even getting to the print dialog, not sure these will help, but it's good to narrow down where the issue might be starting.

[Guest]

Hi Erica, Thanks for the suggestion.

I think I've got it working now, but just as mysteriously as it stopped working.

I had several document open and the problem went away after I closed all of them. So my guess is one of them was corrupt and it screwed up the print dialog box for all the other ones too.

But just a guess.

Thanks again for your help

Richard

[BobLevine]

Printing has never been a strong point for InDesign and the recommended workflow from most is to export a PDF and print that.

[Steve Werner]

I agree with Bob. Adobe Reader and Acrobat have  much stronger printer support. I don't expect that will change.

[Joely]

Your software is 11 years old. What to expect?

Was there an OS- or Printer-Update before the problems? Could be the Printer-Drivers not compatible…

[Steve Werner]

Yes, a current version of Reader (free!) would be much more likely to keep up-to-date with current printer drivers than an old InDesign version.

[BobLevine]

In fairness, the OP is still using 10.6.8.

So, InDesign and the O/S are compatible, but that is one old workflow. ID is 9 versions out of date and the O/S is 8 versions out.

[Guest]

Thank you all, the problem seems to have resolved itself.

An aside to those criticizing my software version choices:

I have used InDesign since version 2 up to version CS6 (and Quark 3, 4, 5 & 9 before that). I have used  Macintosh OSs between System 7 and Mountain Lion, but I also run a Linotronic Hell RIP 50, and a Linotronic 530 imagesetter. I find InDesign CS4 in Snow Leopard to be the best software/hardware combination for my workflow. I am a letterpress printer which means the end result of any work I do in computer will be finally output on, in some cases, nineteenth century machinery.

My reasons or using out-of-date software are very well thought out. All serious typographic considerations were addressed by CS3, and many of the touted improvements from version to version are more hindrance than help. Furthermore, as a self-employed artist, I refuse to participate in Adobe's Creative Cloud business model on philosophic grounds. Its net effect is to hold you hostage to your own work. I do not understand how anyone who seriously values the work they do would use any CC product.

Don't get me wrong I am thankful for both Adobe and Macintosh (and for these forums). I am not criticizing them so much as explaining decisions I have made in response to decisions they have made. I am only pointing out that there are some very good reasons to get off the up-grade carousel.

Thanks again for all your help

[Derek Cross]

As a matter of interest in what form do you produce your output from InDesign for letterpress printing?

[Guest]

Hello Derek,

I print from InDesign to an imagesetter (basically a large machine which images film with a laser). I then develop the film in a separate machine. I then use the film to expose photopolymer plates (in a third machine) which wash out to leave a relief surface which I can use to print with letterpress presses. I have a C&P, a Vandercook, a Windmill and a KSBA presses. I also print hand-set metal and wood type.

Google "photopolymer plates for letterpress" to see how it's done.

Happy to send you a sample if you contact me directly at richard(at)letterspressed(dot)com

rwsiii

[Derek Cross]

Hi Richards,

Thanks, I've sent you an email.

Regards,

Derek