Gradient Text PDF Issue

[yearbookdesign]

Hi! Unsure where to reach out for help but I have some documents (~20 spreads on one) where there are headlines that have color gradients applied instead of being solid colors, but when I look at the exported PDF, there's this weird jagged block of the gradient blocking out the area behind the text. Super sorry if this is already answered somewhere but I couldn't find any other similar posts and I'm not sure if it's more of a PDF issue or if it will actually print like that. If anyone has any thoughts, that would be super appreciated! 

[Steve Werner]

Please tell us what operating system (exactly) you're running. Please tell us (exactly) what InDesign version you're using. What PDF preset was used to create the PDF file? Can you attach screen captures of the problem, please.

[yearbookdesign]

OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Home Version 10.0.18362 Build 18362

Indesign 2020 Version 15.0

The preset was a custom one for printing but I'm not sure all of the details. If there's any particular setting you'd like to see, I can check that.

Image of the problem: 

Thank you!

[Steve Werner]

You're talking about a difference before and after, but you only provided one image. Provide an image of the other (before or after) that is different, and tell us which is which, thanks.

[yearbookdesign]

Hello, here is a picture of the before from designing it on InDesign:

The other photo is the after, when I view the exported PDF. Thanks!

[Steve Werner]

That's pretty bizarre and I can't think of where that could come from. I think you'd have to be willing to post a sample of the file to get feedback on why that happened.

[Steve Werner · Accepted solution]

I forgot to ask: What PDF reader are you viewing the PDF file in: Adobe Reader or Acrobat? Or some third party PDF reader which may be sub-standard in a printing environment (like a web browser)?

[yearbookdesign]

Wow, I didn't think of that! I've been opening them in web browsers. When I open it in Adobe Acrobat, it looks correct without the weird block! I guess that means it'll be okay when printing?

Thank you so much for your help!

[Steve Werner]

Yes, web browser PDF readers aren't appropriate for print publishing. It should print exactly as you see it on screen. If that works for you, please make my answer as correct to help other people.