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AuroraPenticton
AuroraPenticton
Inspiring
July 17, 2025
Answered

InDesign removes items from a PDF (Canva)

  • July 17, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 1039 views

When placing PDF's into a document and printing them, InDesign seems to randomly cause some items to be removed from the layout. It seems to be mostly Canva PDF's that are affected.

 

Screenshot 1 - my client's Canva PDF is dropped into our printer (Fiery Command Workstation). Everything is correct in the preview.

Screenshot 2 - I need the document 2-up on a sheet so I lay that out with InDesign and print to the Fiery. Now there is a bunch of text missing in the tan colored box. I can even make a PDF of this 2-up layout and it removes the items from the PDF.

 

This problem started with InDesign 2023. I still have 2022 installed for this very purpose because these files print fine from 2022. I've been burnt by this problem several times now and keep hoping a new version will fix it. 2023, 2024 and 2025 do not fix it.

Correct answer Brad @ Roaring Mouse

Thank you! Yeah if I up the PDF format to the latest version then the text remains. But it's still gone if I print directly from InDesign. It's set to print PS level 3 and all fonts.


I have created a preflight for Acrobat to convert Type 3 fonts to outline. It works here. I will PM you a fixed file. let me know if it works

3 replies

Brad @ Roaring Mouse
Community Expert
Brad @ Roaring MouseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 18, 2025

Can you post the original PDF and the resulting one after placing in InDesign?
I have a theory but I would need the files to see for sure. (PrePress guy here). You can DM me if you don't want to post publicly.

I had a client send me a 48-page annual report they did in Canva and there was no end of issues. I spent more chargeable time fixing it than what it would have cost me to do the document properly!

AuroraPenticton
AuroraPentictonAuthor
Inspiring
July 18, 2025

Thanks! PM sent.

Brad @ Roaring Mouse
Community Expert
Brad @ Roaring MouseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 18, 2025

I was able to reproduce the behaviour.

Not sure why the text in particular vanished, but the original PDF was version v1.6 and you saved your imposed file out backwards at v1.3, and I think there must be a backwards compatibility problem. Is there a reason why you are using such an old format? I would only flatten files when if there's a troubleshooting issue. In any case, if you save out at any version higher than v1.3, it works fine. I personally recommend at least v1.5

    Willi Adelberger
    Community Expert
    Willi AdelbergerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 17, 2025

    Canva PDFs are not unproblematic. Open them in Acrobat Pro in Pint Production run a Preflight to check and repair for print readiness like meeting standards. Then place them in InDesign. 

      AuroraPenticton
      AuroraPentictonAuthor
      Inspiring
      July 17, 2025

      Thanks I tried the Digital Publishing preset and one of the press presets and the problem remains. I also had a coworker in another office try printing the file and he gets the same thing.

      Willi Adelberger
      Community Expert
      Willi AdelbergerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 17, 2025

      If the problem remains, the file was created wrongly. Not an InDesign issue 

      AuroraPenticton
      AuroraPentictonAuthor
      Inspiring
      July 17, 2025

      I know, the answer really is "Canva sucks" and I agree. But tons of our customers use it, it's completely random when it happens, and it doesn't happen in InDesign 2022.

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