Participant

Question

PDF place in InDesign...certain fine lines not printing

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
March 11, 2019
3 replies
3089 views

Hi,

I'm placing a PDF created in AutoCAD into my InDesign document, then printing the .indd file. Although the lines are visible on the screen (in InDesign and when printed as a PDF in Acrobat), some fine lines are not printing. Yet there are some lines of the same weight that are printing. When printing the PDF in Acrobat, the lines all print. It is an architectural plan with varying black/grey line weights.

Here are some of the solutions I have attempted, with no success:

- Print to PDF in AutoCAD (default settings), saved as .ai file in Acrobat, placed and printed in InDesign

- Print to PDF in AutoCAD (default settings), saved as .jpg file (default and maximum quality settings) in Acrobat, placed and printed in InDesign

- Print to PDF in AutoCAD with 1200 dpi set, placed and printed in InDesign (some lines appeared)

- Print to PDF in AutoCAD with 2400 dpi set, placed and printed in InDesign (less lines appeared)

- Flattened PDF in Acrobat, placed and printed in InDesign (99% lines show, but overall, all line weights too thick and appear reddish)

- Printed INDD, IDML, and PDF (created from InDesign) on another printer

- Printed INDD in b&w (default settings)

I'm using:

PC with Windows 7 Professional

Adobe CC (Acrobat DC, InDesign, etc.): all up to date

AutoCAD Architecture 2018

Toshiba e-Studio 2505AC Printer

A PDF of all the different outcomes can be downloaded here.

Thank you in advance for any help!

This topic has been closed for replies.

S

SJRiegel

Legend

When I am dealing with AutoCad files, I always get them saved as AI, so I can go in and thicken the finest lines.

I also take the opportunity to convert them from RGB to Grayscale, since we are generally using then on one-color instruction sheets.

K

kimk35462561Author

Participant

Hi,

As I mentioned to IDEAS-Training, your advice helped. It makes sense for the AutoCAD user to change line weights before creating the PDF. I just didn't understand AutoCAD functions well enough.

I'll use the RGB to Grayscale in the cases where my black lines start appearing to be reddish. Thank you!

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

When you have very fine lines, especially from a reduced graphic, it possible they are at the borderline of the printer's capability. It's possible that some of the lines are not falling on the grid pattern that the printer uses when printing. Sometimes a slight shift of the graphic's position can solve the problem--however, that could throw other lines off.

You also could try opening the PDF in Acrobat Pro and use the Fix Hairlines feature (under the Print Production tools) to thicken the thinnest lines.

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

K

kimk35462561Author

Participant

I found this and SJRiegel's solutions useful...basically, I just need the AutoCAD user to increase line weights on their end. It looks like the ones not printing are minuscule: something like .001 mm.

Fix Hairlines is good to know for the future. Thank you!

Danny Whitehead.

Legend

Have you tried exporting the InDesign document as PDF (never print to PDF from InDesign), then printing that from Acrobat?

Also, are you printing from Indesign using the Toshiba's Postscript driver?

K

kimk35462561Author

Participant

Hi,

In InDesign, I usually use File>Adobe PDF presets>High Quality Print (I also tried Press Quality, and customized my own) to create a PDF.

Sorry, I'm not sure about your second question...is there something I can check to let you know?

I'm on a (company) network. This is what I usually select when printing:

Note: I've had the same computer for 5 years, this is the first time I've had the issue.

Thanks Danny.

Danny Whitehead.

Legend

kimk35462561 wrote
Hi,
In InDesign, I usually use File>Adobe PDF presets>High Quality Print (I also tried Press Quality, and customized my own) to create a PDF.

And have you tried printing that PDF from Acrobat (sorry if I'm missing something from your list).

Regarding the Postscript drivers, it appears that you aren't, and as a Mac user, I'm not sure I can tell you how to. We have an eStudio here as a general office printer, and the default Mac driver is Postscript. But the Windows guys here use PCL. There are quite a few options here:

https://electronicimaging.toshiba-europe.com/publicsite-service/driver/downloads?cID=12525906-38f4-425f-bb22-66468525d3dd&vkey=pstuis&lang=en&locale=en_EN&envi=

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