Issues with transparency inside a placed image

[elise_6385]

I've come across a specific issue with a placed image in InDesign and I'm wondering if there are any export setings that would fix this issue? An image of the issue is attached—the whole document is in CMYK and this placed picture is a PDF. The white box showing up in the middle of this logo only shows up in InDesign, I've opened the file in Illustrator and it seems to be perfectly fine there.

I've also checked the Overprint Preview, and the box does disappear with that preview on, but still prints with the white box. I'd love to try any PDF/InDesign settings to see if they help. Thank you!

[RvdT]

If it's transparent in Illustrator, then why not save it as an .ai file and relink to the .ai file?

[elise_6385]

I might be able to do that, this just seems like something I could fix in InDesign by adjusting the right settings, I just dont know what they would be haha. The logo is already embedded in a PDF file so when I'm opening it in Illustrator it's just me opening the PDF, not a working file with just the logo or anything unfortunately.

[RvdT]

you can also "Place" a pdf

and then check 'Show import options'

and check tranparent background (the file has to have a transparent background)

[elise_6385]

Thank you for this! I went through these steps on a new InDesign file and the white box has disappeared. So I went back to the original file I was trying to place this PDF in and for some reason the white box still shows up when it's placed. I'm racking my brain on what setting would cause that box to appear in one InDesign file but not another. Their color profiles are the same, both CMYK. 

^How is appears when successfully posted in the other document. I'm glad it's seeming like all I need to do is tweak a setting in the file, I was worried the issue was going to be more complex.

[Peter Spier]

What program produced the PDF?

Probably not the proplem if overprint previe is correct, but show the import options when you place the file and be sure Transparent Background is checked.

[elise_6385]

Hi! I'm unsure what program produced the PDF, it was handed off to me to use, but it would be between Illustrator or InDesign I'm sure. I did go through and make sure Transport Background is checked when importing but it didnt help sadly. I have found out that the white box is only showing up in the one specific InDesign file I'm working in, because when I placed it in a new file the box is not there. So that's kinda helpful!

[Peter Spier]

Try exporting the problem file to .idml and open and save that as a new .indd.

If that still doesn't fix it, try moving the pages to a new file.

[Peter Spier]

Hi! I'm unsure what program produced the PDF, it was handed off to me to use, but it would be between Illustrator or InDesign I'm sure.

By @elise_6385

If you open the PDF in Acrobat and check the Document Properties Description tab, then the Additional Metadata button, and finally expand the Advanced section you'll find the creator information.

[elise_6385]

I checked Acrobat and the original PDF was made in InDesign.

I also exported as an .idml and resaved it as a .indd and it didnt help unfortunately. It's looking like I'll just need to move it over to a new file, but I find it so strage that this is happening in that file at all, and I have no ideas as to why.