pdf not exporting correctly?

[BrucieBruce]

I'm exporting an ID file to PDF to send to printer. I have exported this same file many times without issue. This is a two page file for a brochure, that has a die-cut. I placed an EPS file of the die-cut line on a separate layer so the printer could turn it on/off or print separately as needed. Now, suddenly, when I export the file to PDF the die-line shows up with a white fill, totally blocking everything beneath it??? This never happened before. I've tried 10 different solutions and all produce the same thing.

[BobLevine]

Why EPS? It's an archaic format. Open it in Illustrator, save as PDF and place that.

Be sure to show options and choose transparent background.

[BobLevine]

One more thought. Is that die a spot color? Are you exporting to PDF/X1-a?

[BrucieBruce]

Bob,

Thanks for your reply. I tried exporting the dieline from Illustrator as a PDF, but it creates no preview of the line??? It just comes in blank. But when I export the ID file to PDF, the die line shows up for a split second as the PDF is previewing. The die-line has no fill. I was just using a 100% magenta 1pt stroke.

I'm gonna try using a spot color for the stroke and see if that helps.

[BrucieBruce]

The plot thickens…

As I said, the EPS and PDF files are coming in with no preview. So I gave the die-line a spot color fill and exported from Illustrator as EPS and PDF. Neither of the file came in with a preview. So to me the problem seems to lie with Illustrator?

[BobLevine]

You might be able to copy/paste the dieline from Illy to InDesign if it's really simple.

[BrucieBruce]

Should I export as PDF/X1-a?

[BrucieBruce · Accepted solution]

Problem solved.

Bob, again, thanks for your efforts. Out of desperation, I recreated the illustrator file. Apparently the file had become corrupt, which is why it was not generating a preview. Both the EPS and PDF versions of the new file worked fine.

Best,

Bruce M.