InDesign Stretching Illustrator Vector Image on Epub Export

[tylerw87196938]

I want to create an epub in InDesign of my book. On my title page (not my cover), I have a vector image of the title I brought over from Illustrator. When I publish the epub, the image is essentially reoriented vertically across several pages. (I use Amazon's Kindle Previewer to check my epub.)

Here is how it's supposed to look:

Here is how the image is distorted upon export:

[Scott Falkner]

How was the image brought into InDesign? It should be saved as an Illustrator file then placed.

[tylerw87196938]

When you say it should be saved as an Illustrator file, do you mean PNG? Thanks for the quick response.

[tylerw87196938]

I placed as a PNG, and it keeps the right orientation, but the image is now blurry, both in InDesign and Kindle Previewer.

[Willi Adelberger]

Don't use PNG, for EPUBs use SVG, for Print AI files.

[James Gifford—NitroPress · Accepted solution]

SVG has no real advantage for this purpose; PNG or even JPEG is not much larger in most cases and the resolution of most EPUB readers is fairly limited. SVGs also bring a host of compatibility problems that are (IMHO) best avoided. Placing an AI file is good; letting the export process render it to 150 or 300ppi loses very little in most cases.

The exception might be things like flowcharts and diagrams where maximum resolution of lines, arrows etc. is an asset.

[Willi Adelberger]

SVG enlarges without pixelation on larger devices and has in most cases smaller file sizes than the same in PNG. 

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

For line and text art, yes. The OP's art isn't that linear.

[tylerw87196938]

I placed the actual Illustrator file (.ai) and it now looks clean and clear. Thank you!

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

An example of why it's always good to use original, preferably vector images for everything you can within ID. 🙂

Note that vector images are converted to raster images as part of the export. (SVG images are an exception, but I recommend avoiding those unless you have thoroughly mastered their creation and management.)

If the result is not exactly what you want, or if you need a different image resolution for file size or distributor requirements, you have considerable control over the rasterizing by right-clicking on the placed graphic and selecting Object Export Options.

Completely editorial comment: I am not fond of "art" title pages. But I'm probably in a minority there.

[Scott Falkner]

No. Save it as a native Illustrator file.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Sort of a ponderous addition, but to clarify (my overall position, at least) —

• PSD/TIFF and AI/PDF are the superior formats for print projects. (And PDF, when things stop there.)
• SVG should be used only as an export format for web use.
  • Don't create or edit in SVG; edit in AI or equivalent and export.
  • Don't use SVG for print. (I also don't think PNG is a stable format for print; use JPEG if you can't use PSD/TIFF.)
• And although EPUB is "web-like" I would reserve SVG for relatively "plain" vector illustrations without things like shading or live font links. SVG brings few advantages to EPUB/e-book because —
  • Not all EPUB readers handle the format well or consistently.
  • There are gotchas in the InDesign export process that can amplify this problem (e.g., one major variation works in most EPUB readers but not Kindle conversions).
  • If the exported image has any raster or font elements, the embedded PNG elements and required fonts greatly increase the net size of the file, losing much advantage over a rasterized (JPEG/PNG) image.
  • Exporting to a 300ppi image might show slight resolution problems on a web site, but the many limitations of e-book readers (such as a base 144-150ppi display mode, regardless of screen resolution) mean that the simplicity and modest file size difference greatly outweighs largely theoretical advantages.

Frankly and IMVHO, if a diagram or flowchart does not export well to 300ppi PNG or JPEG and display well on an e-book reader, it isn't often better in SVG and needs to be modified (heavier strokes, etc).