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Vobis_Haendler
Vobis_Haendler
Participating Frequently
March 25, 2020
Answered

InDesign exports display errors in pdf

  • March 25, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 1931 views

Hello everyone!
I am currently formatting a book for print. When I export the pdf out of InDesign with the [PDF/X3:2002] settings, which the printing works require, the export has some display error (in the attached pictures).
I combine illustrations in Indesign an "stack" them, to make the composition work. Does someone know a solution for my display-error problems?

Thank you!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Dov Isaacs

I will go back to Derek Cross's response.

 

Try exporting PDF/X-4 with no color conversions. PDF/X-4 doesn't do transparency flattening when creating PDF. Transparency remains “live” until the RIP process where transparency blending occurs – the only proper place for this to occur. If your resultant PDF/X-4 file displays without any issue and you can print it to a standard office printer without any issue, then in fact the flattening that occurs with PDF/X-3 is the source of your problem.

 

In terms of your “printer” you should know that virtually every RIP and DFE manufactured over the last 10 years fully supports PDF/X-4. If your “printer” insists on retrograde ISO standards such as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-3, it is indicative of either total lack of professional knowledge / training and/or use of very outdated workflow software.

 

PS: I am the current chair of ISO TC130 WG2/TF2, the ISO committee responsible for development of the PDF/X standards.

 

3 replies

Dov Isaacs
Dov IsaacsCorrect answer
Legend
April 2, 2020

I will go back to Derek Cross's response.

 

Try exporting PDF/X-4 with no color conversions. PDF/X-4 doesn't do transparency flattening when creating PDF. Transparency remains “live” until the RIP process where transparency blending occurs – the only proper place for this to occur. If your resultant PDF/X-4 file displays without any issue and you can print it to a standard office printer without any issue, then in fact the flattening that occurs with PDF/X-3 is the source of your problem.

 

In terms of your “printer” you should know that virtually every RIP and DFE manufactured over the last 10 years fully supports PDF/X-4. If your “printer” insists on retrograde ISO standards such as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-3, it is indicative of either total lack of professional knowledge / training and/or use of very outdated workflow software.

 

PS: I am the current chair of ISO TC130 WG2/TF2, the ISO committee responsible for development of the PDF/X standards.

 

- Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 2, 2020

    Hi Dov, I sounds the OP is seeing the "artifacts" in a PDF even with live transparency, which makes me think the lines are in the image, or possible a placed flattened PDF?

     

    I tried exporting the file in a higher acrobat reader version. The artifacts arte still in there but not as visible as they were.

    Dov Isaacs
    Dov Isaacs
    Legend
    April 2, 2020

    It is possible. Without the actual digital assets to experiment with ourselves, we can only speculate! 😒

     

    - Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 25, 2020

    Your screen captures are showing "stitching" artifacts that happen at low resolutions when you flatten a PDF—both PDF/X-1a and PDF/X-3 flatten transparency. Stitching artifacts would not print when the output is high resolution. They do show in a display preview where the resolution is relatively low and there is anti-aliasing.

    Vobis_Haendler
    Vobis_HaendlerAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    April 2, 2020

    Unfortunately the artifacts will print, the printer tested it.
    I tried exporting the file in a higher acrobat reader version. The artifacts arte still in there but not as visible as they were. I am waiting for a the printer's response. Thank you.

    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 2, 2020

    Unfortunately the artifacts will print, the printer tested it.

     

    Is the printing to a composite printer, i.e. inkjet, or is it an offset press? If so, are they printing directly from Acrobat at high resolution, or are they opening the poster in a bitmap application like Photoshop and printing from there?

    Derek Cross
    Community Expert
    Derek CrossCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 25, 2020

    Try a PDF/X-4 and see if the printer will accept that.

    Vobis_Haendler
    Vobis_HaendlerAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    April 2, 2020

    They want a pdf/x-3 file, I just can change the acrobat reader version.

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