pngs and jpegs not exporting clearly to PDF

[Steve5FD8]

Hello, 

I am working on a document that I've edited numerous times. I drop in a new png or jpeg of a QR code (tried both). The files is crystal clear in indesign, but when exporting to PDF, the QR code (no other images) is fuzzy or has a small grey outline round it. I tried creating a brand new document and using the same QR code and it exported fine. I assumed then that the document was corrupt, rebuilt it and started again, but to the same issue. Is it a size thing? As it's a QR code? Surely not, .id can handle tiny, intricate graphics. I've set the QR at over 1cm, the recommended minimum size for QRs. I'm completely stumped!

Thanks

Kim

[Willi Adelberger]

What is the original resolution?

What is the output resolution?

Why do you use PNG? What is the original program of these files and what kind of content do the images have?

[Eugene Tyson]

I wrote an article here - check the Effective Resolution in InDesign Links Panel

https://creativepro.com/high-res-image-look-low-res/

[chantalb84891737]

Same issue here. It's only with jpg files, when it's eps I have no problem. It is since I've updated Adobe into the newest version. I can't solve this problem eather.

[Eugene Tyson]

As you've opened a topic here - and posted here - might try keep it all in one place - so I've locked the other thread
https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/jpg-is-blurry-when-a-pdf-is-made-from-indesign/t...

Thanks

[Steve5FD8]

Hi Chantal, 

I spoke with a designer friend I know and he's mostly helped - he said:

Change the resolution and compression settings to the attached and it will display better.

Does that help?

[chantalb84891737]

I can try but I always work with these settings (PDF x-1a2001) several years and I've never had problems. This file I used several times but now when I make a new PDF it fails.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

@Steve5FD8 This is not good advice. See my post about the best image format.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

See my post on the best format to use. 

EPS, like PDFs, can be vector, raster, or a combination of the two. So, it's possible that the EPS files were vector. 

Never use JPEG for flat-color images. 

[chantalb84891737]

Can't solve the problem. In indesign the jpg files look good and shrap. I made a pdf from this exact same file a year earlier and again no problem. With this updatet version of Indesign I can't make a good pdf for print (I use the PDF/X-1a 2001 version)

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Why can't you solve the problem? 

If you are using JPEGs, you are processing them according to the color or grayscale settings. Again, JPEG is the worst format to use for flat-color graphics. 

Upload a sample QR code (from the original source) or message me by clicking on my name. I'll take a look at it.

[chantalb84891737]

Think that there are 2 problems in this topic. I have no problems with QR-codes. 

I have a problem with old Indesign files and make a new pdf from them. The old pdf ones are sharp (with a logo in jpg) but the new pdf isn't sharp. It's a business card where only the number is changed, rest is the same. Both pdf fles are made in X-1a:2001

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

So why did you piggyback on a question about QR codes instead of starting your own thread? The original question was about QR codes.

Don't use JPEG for anything except for photographs, not graphics. Other than that, you need to post your export settings used to make the PDF. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

QR codes are typically black-and-white rectangles. Ideally, they should be created in InDesign or a vecter program such as Illustrator. 

PNG and JPEG are raster (pixel) formats and are not appropriate for this type of image. JPEG is the worst format for flat-color graphics and PNG is only RGB or grayscale. 

If they must be raster images, this is how you should process them:

1. Create them at 1200 ppi if possible, but if you can't make them as high as you can.
2. In Photoshop, open the code and convert to Bitmap mode (if they are in RGB, you will have to convert to Grayscale mode first, then Bitmap.)
3. Use the 50% Threshold conversion setting. (You can adjust the resolution to 1200 ppi here if you wish.)
4. Save as TIFF, using the LZW compression setting.

Place in InDesign. The white background will become transparent and you can color the QR code in InDesign if required. These images will not be processed as color or grayscale images and stay crisp.

[Steve5FD8]

Thanks Dave. We use a website to generate our QRs, available in png, jpeg, SVS, EPS and PDF. Which is best to pick up?

Thanks

Kim

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

It's possible the SVG, EPS, and PDF are vector. Open them in Illustrator and check. If they are, use the PDF (you may want to crop the page size in Acrobat if necessary).

If all the formats are raster, make it the highest resolution possible. Export out the PNG and PDF, then open in Photohshop. If the PDF is an RGB image, you might was well use the PNG for ease of use. The convert and save as TIFF as I posted earlier.

Edit: If you use the QR codes in different colors, I like to convert the vector art to high-resoluton, LZW-compressed TIFF by exporting it from Illustrator. That way, I can color it in InDesign. A high-res Bitmap-mode TIFF file will look like vector art when printed.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

We use a website to generate our QRs, available in png, jpeg, SVS, EPS and PDF. Which is best to pick up?

By @Steve5FD8

You can generate QR codes directly in the InDesign. 

https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/indesign/using/generate-qr-code.html

[Willi Adelberger]

In this case PDF or EPS.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

In this case PDF or EPS.

By @Willi Adelberger

They would have to be inspected to make sure they are vector as I mentioned previously. They could just be a raster files saved in EPS or PDF format. 

[Laubender]

Hi @Steve5FD8 ,

in case you are using pixel-based images for an QR code it's not so much important if the files are high-res or not.

In an extreme case every square in an QR code could be exactly one pixel wide. There would be no loss of quality with exporting to PDF if the right image type is used and the export will not try to re-render the placed images.

For example:

Save the QR codes as 1-Bit bitmap data in PhotoShop as TIFF file, place that in InDesign.

When exporting to PDF make sure you do not downsample bitmap data.

Download a sample from my Dropbox account:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/f4cltq0hx70nkb4yzujsa/QRCode-Vector-vs-PixelImage.zip?rlkey=j9j3tp500...

QRCodeVector-vs-PixelImage.indd

On page 1 is the QR code generated in InDesign as vector graphic.

Page 2 is showing a placed lowres TIFF image of the same code where every square of the QR code is just 1 pixel wide.

All in all the whole QR code image is 25 x 25 pixels. Effective resolution in InDesign is about 8 ppi.

I exported the InDesign document to PDF where I disabled downsampling for 1-bit images.

From my German InDesign showing page 2 where the bitmap is placed:

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )