Creating Outlines Bug

[marjee36087345]

I have InDesign version 15.1.1 and had to create outlines of text to send it for cutting out in printhouse. I did it as usual and checked that everything looked well. I see outlines in my file, export to pdf as usual and the printhouse says the text is not outlined. I added two images about this problem – one photo from the printhouse screen when they try to open my file, the other is a screenshot from my screen of the same text showing outlines. Seems to me that InDesign does not really create outlines although it looks like it does and nothing warns me that the problem is there. 

We then created a pdf from the same indd file in another computer that has InDesign 15.0.3 and everything works as it should. 

[Geоrge]

I don't recomend to anybody create outlines through InDesign, except some situations for creating effects with some object.

Read here - https://indesignsecrets.com/outlining-fonts-the-2016-edition.php - and use it this 

>> Open the Print Production panel and open Preflight. In the Search field at the top right, search for “outline”. 

>> This selects the “Converts fonts to outlines” fixup.

[marjee36087345]

Ok, thank you. But it used to work fine until now. I don't use outlines for all of my work, only when it is really needed for something like cut out letters on the exhibition wall for example. Illustrator is not good enough for designing text blocks. I'm really surprised you can say something like that, because outlining small amounts of text in InDesign is really convinient. Why should I like this solution where I have to make extra movements in another programme?

[Laubender · Accepted solution]

Hi marjee,

export the page to PDF and convert the text to outlines using Acrobat Pro's preflight function.

When in Acrobat Pro go to:

Print Production > Preflight > Acrobat Pro DC 2015 Profiles > Select single fix ups

Document > Convert fonts to outlines

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[marjee36087345]

Thank you.

[defaultbp0fk8l52gme]

Hi,

At my workplace we have to outline text before sending to printers. So what we do is create a "Transparency Layer". This layer will be at the very top and all it is, is a white transparent rectangle that covers the work. Then the settings are pre set: Edit -> Transparency Flattener Presets... -> New, then click on Convert all text to outline.

[Frans v.d. Geest]

Wow! Talking about bad workflows... 😞

[BobLevine]

Honestly, not something I would admit to in public. That is a god awful workflow so filled with potential problems that I wouldn't even consider it.