Old RIP - InDesign CC - fonts corrupt

[dirkk2153896]

We work with InDesign CS 5.5 and a Harlequin RIP, which is rather old, but we hardly had problems with that. Now we upgraded to InDesign CC, but the workflow remained the same: InDesign - PDF 1.3 - Harlequin RIP. But now the fonts are corrupted! I have to make outlines of all the text.

Does anyone has the sam problem and knows a workaround?

[kglad]

[moved from Adobe Creative Cloud to InDesign]

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Exactly how old IS the RIP? What version is it? What exact version of ID CC? 2018?

If CC 2018, install and older CC version via the Creative Cloud panel and test that.

[Bill Silbert]

Are you making your pdfs by using the export to pdf function which is File Menu>Export... and then choosing Adobe PDF (Print) from the lower part of the Export dialog window which appears? In the Export Adobe PDF dialog window which subsequently appears what setting are you using in the Fonts part of the Advanced section for subsetting?

The setting I have in the highlighted area above (100%) works for me (it is the default) in terms of making sure that all fonts are embedded. However, I've seen the exact opposite needed in some cases (0%) in order to properly embed the fonts. Try it both ways and see if that helps.

[Test Screen Name]

Rips are software. They have bugs, need updates, just like any other piece of software. Some shops treat them as if they are a passive machine, like a printing press.

[BobLevine]

1.3? That’s not old, it’s ancient.

And where exactly are you seeing this corruption?

What operating system is being used?

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

I believe the 1.3 was in reference to the PDF version used from ID.

PDF 1.3 is the version used for PDF/X-1a. Old, yes, but the version I would use on an old RIP.

[BobLevine]

Exactly what I was referring to when I said it was ancient. It’s an 18-year old “standard.”

[Jongware]

But Bob, that in itself should not cause fonts to be corrupted, when exported to the same PDF version and processed with the same RIP. It's not as if standards get stale and makes old workflows stop working.

Instead, it strongly suggests that there has been a change in how InDesign CC creates PDF 1.3 files. (And since that is indeed an old and settled standard and it was working correctly in older versions: an unnecessary change, and apparently destructive to boot.)

[rob day]

Instead, it strongly suggests that there has been a change in how InDesign CC creates PDF 1.3 files. (And since that is indeed an old and settled standard and it was working correctly in older versions: an unnecessary change, and apparently destructive to boot.)

I think there have been some InDesign OTF features added since 5.5. Could that have changed the way OTF fonts are exported?

[BobLevine]

That's why I asked where the corruption was being seen. On screen? Print? I had no info at the time.

[dirkk2153896]

The RIP creates a preview. There you can see the corruption: moved outlines, etc.

[rob day]

InDesign - PDF 1.3 - Harlequin RIP. But now the fonts are corrupted! I have to make outlines of all the text.

Are the fonts corrupted when you view the PDF in Acrobat or only in the output? Does it happen with all fonts or only certain formats?

[dirkk2153896]

The PDF setting has not changed! The fonts are embedded, but show strange shapes. In Acrobat, the fonts are allright, even in an old acrobat (4). It must be the newer version of InDesign, or better: the old RIP, which causes the problem

RIP is Harlequin 7.03

Sorry, I can\'t upload pictures.

My workaround is making outlines via Pitstop

[rob day]

What about font formats? Does it happen with all fonts—T1, TT, OTF?

[dirkk2153896]

In this case it was OTF. But with InDesign CS5.5 it was thee same. I Think it is just the old RIP.

[Danny Whitehead.]

Are you using the PDF/X-1a:2001 setting for export?

What kind of strange shapes?

Are there any errors on the Harlequin log?

We send PDF/X-4:2008 to our old 8.3 Harlequin RIP, pretty much without issue. It sounds like you might be forced to upgrade your RIP. Better now than when your pressman's stood there waiting for plates!

[Geоrge]

Old believer don't see any problems in create outline text for every PDF with old RIP. Think about it as feature, not a bug.

[dirkk2153896]

I think the best way is creating outlines.