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Question

PDF export is clean printed file has white around transparent images

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
June 15, 2024
6 replies
10211 views

Hello,

I have an issue where the indesign file and the pdf file are clean and look great. When I send to the printer some of the images have white blotches around them. I have shared 2 different places where this is happening. Some of the images are from the printer so they are not great but you can see the white bloches. I am not a graphic designer and have been using the program and learning as I go. Any help would be appreciated as I am looking to get this printed. Thanks

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rayek.elfin

Legend

What seems to happen (based on the printed result samples) is that the printers' RIP converts the areas where the transparency mixes down into tiny bitmap squares/rectangles. But the print raster of the background isn't matched because the image is printed at 300DPI while the vector object in the background is (seemingly) printed with pure black ink and a higher raster resolution (at the print device highest output resolution).

But to be sure I would have to examine the original print with a printer's magnifier glass. Hopefully this won't be a problem with the PDF/X 1-a version, since there will still be parts vector and parts bitmap with the same background colour - just larger areas.

As always: you can't know unless you print a good proof.

reproo2773183

Inspiring

Looks to me like the RIP at the printer is treating 0/0/0/60k as a spot colour (DeviceN) so when it tries to raster the transparency it thinks it can overprint, but it doesn't, instead it punches out the k channel.

They should be able to fix this by first converting all to cmyk and then try to raster the transparency, and not try to do both at the same time.

A

astoryof355226334rsdAuthor

Participating Frequently

I am going to send this information to the printer. I have sent them the indesign file as well packaged it for them and they continue to have this problem. I am not a graphic designer and have no idea how to fix this.

rayek.elfin

Legend

I checked your PDF file, and all affected objects are RGB transparent images that mix down into a CMYK vector background object.

To me this is obviously a RIP problem: the transparent objects have to be flattened and mixed with the background, and that's where the issues arise.

I noticed you exported a PDF/X-4 PDF. Try exporting a PDF/X 1-A and send that to your printer. That will take care of the flattening on your side, instead of relying on the RIP on the printer's side.

(meaning: no more transparent objects in your PDF, all pre-flattened in InDesign's PDF export)

A

astoryof355226334rsdAuthor

Participating Frequently

I will do this and send it to the printer. Thank you.

rob day

Community Expert

What is the printing method? Is the problem print a proof from a composite printer? Is the final print going to be done on an offset press?

rob day

Community Expert

Also, if it is a proof from your printer, are you printing from the InDesign file or the exported PDF?

A

astoryof355226334rsdAuthor

Participating Frequently

Yes, this is a proof from the printer. They are printing from the exported pdf.

this is the 3rd edition of this and the settings (according to the printer) are the same as the first 2 batches. Same printer, same paper, same settings.

I don't know if it's an offset press. The printers words were. Same everything, that this is a problem from my end.

rob day

Community Expert

Hi @astoryof355226334rsd , can you share the PDF?

A

astoryof355226334rsdAuthor

Participating Frequently

Hi Rob,

Here is the file. Any help would be appreciated.

a_story_of_and_-_Box_with_card_set_june_10.pdf

Derek Cross

Community Expert

There's some strange shapes on a couple of pages, you should be able to track them down in InDesign.
I suggest you offset the crop marks a little and in fact ask your printer if they want them, some don't.

kglad

Community Expert

in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.