PDF export is clean printed file has white around transparent images

[astoryof355226334rsd]

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

[kglad]

what app?

[astoryof355226334rsd]

Indesign , is that what you mean?

[kglad]

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.

<"moved from using the community">

[astoryof355226334rsd]

Thank you for your help with this.  I am a new user.

[kglad]

no problem. now, an id expert can weigh in.

[rob day]

Hi @astoryof355226334rsd , can you share the PDF?

[astoryof355226334rsd]

Hi Rob,

Here is the file.  Any help would be appreciated.  

[Derek Cross]

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. 

[rob day]

There's some strange shapes on a couple of pages

Hi Derek, I think the problem is the fringing where the gray CMYK background, (which is 0|0|0|60, black only), transitions into the 4-color black (sRGB). The artifact is not in the PDF and is being introduced by the printer:

[astoryof355226334rsd]

Yes, when I look at the pdf and the indesign file, it's clean.  Could it be how I'm exporting it?  

[rob day]

Is the problem only showing on the pages where you are placing the transparent RGB illustrations on an InDesign gray background? Are the pages where the InDesign background is a color and not gray OK?

[astoryof355226334rsd]

All of the backgrounds are grey of a different variety, no coloured background.  I printed it on my black and white printer and it doesn't show up.  The version that the printer sent me, the coloured images have it as well.

[rob day]

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]

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

[astoryof355226334rsd]

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]

Same everything, that this is a problem from my end.

There are no artifacts in the PDF—this is what I get when I print your PDF:

[rob day]

Do you have access to an in-house printer that you can use to proof the PDF you are sending?

[astoryof355226334rsd]

Yes, I can print here in black and white.

So if it prints the same here then what is the problem?  

[rob day]

So if it prints the same here then what is the problem?

I don’t see how it could, the print artifacts are not in the file. If you check the Separations in AcrobatPro there are no unexpected changes in the output values.

[astoryof355226334rsd]

I don't know what that means.  Can you tell me where to find this?

[rob day]

In AcrobatPro Tools>Print Production>Output Preview>Separations:

[astoryof355226334rsd]

Ok, thank you.  So should these all be consistant?

[astoryof355226334rsd]

I have found the output preview and the separations and can't seem to duplicate the process black spot where it's not selected. (in your middle example)

[rob day]

(in your middle example)

I’ve unchecked the Black plate, so only the CMY separations are viewing.

Note that the image grays are RGB so they separate to 4-color, while the InDesign gray is CMYK black only. You might try making the grays uniformly 4-color—use an RGB gray with equal RGB values in InDesign for the backgrounds. Seems like the print artifacts are happening in the black only CMYK backgrounds.