tiff file loses resolution when placed in indesign

[S. M.5ED6]

Hi all

Hoping you can help

I received a tiff file from my illustrator with dimensions of 1280 x 928

When I place or embed (doesn't make any difference which I do) the file into inDesign and then, without doing anything else to the file, do a test export to a PDF, the result is a 914 x 678 file.

I've checked with the printer and it doesn't seem to be related to their PDF preset

How to I retain the resolution of the tiff file?

I'll be grateful to hear from ya'll

Thanks

[LinSims]

Let me move this to the Indesign forum for you, which is the appropriate forum for your question.

The Using the Community forum is for help in using the Adobe Support Community forums, not for help with specific programs. Product questions should be posted in the associated product community.

[S. M.5ED6]

thank you

[rob day]

Are you scaling the image after you place? If the scaled resolution (the Effective Resolution listed in the Link Info panel) exceeds the preset’s Compression>Downsampling for Images Above PPI setting, the image pixel dimensions would be reduced.

Where are you checking the image’s pixel dimensions? Are you using AcrobatPro’s preflight?

[S. M.5ED6]

Thank you for replying

My illustrator knows my exact dimensions (it's a book cover) and he is adamant the file reflects the necessary full size + bleed (8.5 x 11.7899 + 1/8th inch all around for bleed). This isn't his first rodeo (and it's his second cover for me, so I'm inclined to think the problem is at my end because I'm a newbie)

The only scaling I do is to remove some white margins (not sure why their there) and scaling the image up to fit to the bleed margins.

I think that's only part of what you're asking me, tho. You're also asking me about the printer preset?

I'll doubt check that

[S. M.5ED6]

sorry for the typos above

the printer's presets indicate no downsampling for images (colour, grayscale, monochrome), but the box for "compress text and line art" is checked; not sure if that makes a difference

[S. M.5ED6]

As I think about it the printer is probably right. As soon as I place the document in inDesign and check its properties its effective PPI is 109 (actual is 300). I know that sounds like a scaling problem...but I'm having trouble thinking the illustrator has sent me a problem.

[rob day · Accepted solution]

The problem is on the Illustrator’s end.

Why the export to TIFF from Illustrator? There is no need to convert the Illustrator file into an image format, the better option would be .AI or .PDF, which would keep any text or drawn objects as vectors.

1280px x 928px is not enough resolution if the image is going to be output at 11.8" x 8.5"—its output resolution would be the 109ppi InDesign is showing as the effective output resolution (928px/8.5in=109ppi).

Also, The export you are describing would not further lower the pixel dimensions. Where are you getting the 914 x 678 numbers? You have to use AcrobatPro in order to get the exported resolution and pixel dimensions.

[S. M.5ED6]

Thanks to you and to Creamer Training.

Yes, the answer is the get the .ai file and foget about the tiff file.

I did get a pdf as well, but couldn't figure out how to make that work in indesign; fortunately, the .ai file did the job.

At the end of the day, a simple solution.

Thanks again

[Creamer Training]

At the sizes you mentioned, 8.75 x 12.125 inches (rounded), your pixel dimensions need be be 1968-2728 x 2625-3638 pixels to print properly. The latter numbers, 2728 x 3638 pixels, represent the size at 300 ppi. It appears that your image does not have enough pixel data.