Jagged text when using 'Text Wrap'

[Andrea HG]

Hi All,

I regularly compile a Senior's newsletter and whenever I use 'Text Wrap' the text on the page becomes pixelated (jagged). The issue appears to be with Transparency Blend Space., specifically when this is set to CMYK. The newsletter is printed and I would assume the Blend Space needs to be CMYK. You can see the imperfect text when the document is exported to PDF for printing and then printed.

The attached image shows two pages. The same [regular] font is used on both pages. It occurs regardless of what font I use.

Has anyone else had this issue and overcome it?

[Willi Adelberger]

Do you work with layers?

Do so and put the text in a layer ABOVE the image.

[Andrea HG]

Hi @Willi Adelberger , yes, I work with layers and have the text above any graphics. I have had this issue for at least 15 months and with two different versions of Indesign. I am working with the current 2025 version. 

[Willi Adelberger]

Is any kind of transparency involved on that page?

[Andrea HG]

Not on all of the pages that have this issue. The majority have jpeg images and neither of the frames (image or text) are touching (ie. overlapping). And, the text is above the image in layers.

[Andrea HG]

PS. I have tried different fonts and different image formats (original working files - Photoshop or Illustrator, jpegs, pngs, eps etc). It's really bizarre! 🤔

[Willi Adelberger]

Avoid PNG or EPS. 

Only PDF, Ai, PSD and TIFF support transparency. 

[Andrea HG]

I hear you, @Willi Adelberger. I have been so frustrated with the issue. I have tried every possible solution I can think of. 😁

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Technically, PNG does support 8-bit transparency. Also, if an EPS came from a vector program, it the background (but not the objects) can be transparent. While not actually transparancy, the background in a raster image with a clipping path saved as EPS will appear to be "transparent". 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Andrea HG

What are your PDF export settings? 

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

The issue appears to be with Transparency Blend Space., specifically when this is set to CMYK. The newsletter is printed and I would assume the Blend Space needs to be CMYK.

I am not sure this is the case. Working in CMYK is a somewhat archaic method, used (IIRC) when InDesign went directly to press output. With the evolution of Acrobat/PDF, it's far more common now to work entirely in RGB and manage all color conversion etc. in the export to PDF.

Others here can correct or amplify, but I suspect the problem is entirely avoidable by simply not using CMYK settings in the document.

This is all doubly true if you're not going to commercial four-color printing. All (modern) digital printing assumes RGB input as well and does not always handle CMYK input well.

[Andrea HG]

The issue goes away when I set the transparency to RGB, @James Gifford—NitroPress. Then I get the following message when I go to export to PDF for [external] printing. Am not sure if it would make a great difference or not. I usually export to PDF using 'Press Quality' or 'PDF/X-1a:2001'. I am more than happy to accept any suggestions/recommendations for settings! I usually work with web-based graphics and only have to deal with printed publications every so often. 😁

[Andrea HG]

May I ask @James Gifford—NitroPress what settings you use when exporting your InDesign file to PDF for printing? I have been looking at various posts, however, so far the 'solutions' are generic, ie. use what you think is best! I (voluntarily) produce a seniors' group quarterly newsletter magazine. It is printed at a local print press store, always in full colour. Thank you! Best regards, Andrea

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Andrea HG

First option on the list of PDF presets - [High quality print].

Or ask the place you print for a preset / detailed info of the settings.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

I don't have any special expertise on PDF settings — others here know a great deal more about the various standards. But it comes down to how your printing is done: is this offset/ink printing? Or digital printing? The settings and export model will vary for each. The place to ask is your printer (which is always the final authority) for which settings they require or get the best results from.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Check your Flatener Preview panel (Window>Output>) for any outlined or raster-filled text.