Photoshop pdf files - not printing everything

[Sylah]

I have experienced that when I save my photshop file as a pdf file, people receiving the fil have problems printing it.

What happens is that if they do not select print as image, some of the text or graphic elements simply won't print.

Is there a solution to this that I am unaware of?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Could you show an example (pdf and printed result) or can you provide the pdf?

What are the pdf settings you use when creating the pdf?

[josephlavine]

Hi Sylah-

It would be great if you could provide additonal information as c.pfaffenbicher mentioned.  Perhaps along with the pdf samples, you can include screen captures of your settings.

best

[Sylah]

I know that I have to print the pdf file as print image, so I don't experience the issue myself - but others do.

What they have computer/ printer wise is unknown to me. The only response I get is that some of the text/ graphic is not printed when they use ordinary print - aka not using the option "print as image".

I'm slowly thinking that it's because in photoshop I make an image, which I merge and then flatten to use up least amount of space.

I don't choose any options as such when I save as pdf - I just click ok to everything when I save - so I guess standard pdf settings.

So I'm thinking that maybe there is an option somewhere in photoshop where I can save the pdf file as a document?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Please post meaningful screenshots including the Layer Panel of the file and provide the resulting pdf.

So I'm thinking that maybe there is an option somewhere in photoshop where I can save the pdf file as a document?

A pdf is a document so what is that supposed to mean?

[Derek Cross]

Print to PDF is the worst way of producing a PDF.

I suggest this method: In Photoshop select Save As and from the Format drop-down menu select Photoshop PDF. In the next dialogue box (Save Adobe PDF) select from the PDF drop-down Adobe PDF Preset select  PDF/X-4.

[Sylah]

First I merge alle the layers and then I choose flatten image.

When that is done, I save the image as a pdf as illustrated by the screen shots. I did note that I didn't chose the pdf/x standard you recommended - can this be the issue?

Yes pdf is a document. I was in the mindset that a printer can differentiate between a document and an image, so I was thinking maybe there was something in the pdf settings that would indicate the same.

[Derek Cross]

You state "I know that I have to print the pdf file as print image", as I mentioned create the PDF as I described then use: File > Print to your desktop printer:

Do you know which application your customer is using to open and print your PDF?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Once again: Please provide a pdf.

And the screenshot of the pdf settings is far from complete as you modified the [High Quality Print] preset.

Why do you flatten the images? That way the vector and type data (if there is any) will be converted to pixels.

[Sylah]

Why do you need to see the pdf file at all? If you are looking for something specific, you can let me know and I will check for it.

I will not upload the file as it contains personal information about someone else.

During my time searching for an answer before coming here, I discovered that apparently it's a rather known issue. Usually that just means that something isn't done the way it's supposed to be done.

The answers I have gotten so far is:
===========================
1) make sure Adobe Reader is updated - not sure if the receiver has that updated
2) make sure printer driver sofware is updated - again not sure if the receiver has that updated

The solution I have gotten so far is:
===========================
1) To print out the pdf file as an image - and this works, when the reciver is told to do it.

I wanted to make sure that it was not something that I did wrong in the process of converting the photoshop file to a pdf file - hence why I asked my question here.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Why do you need to see the pdf file at all? If you are looking for something specific, you can let me know and I will check for it.

The issue you described appears inconsistent with the pdfs your described process (flattening) would produce.

For

some of the text or graphic elements

not to print they would most likely have to be present as information separate from the basic image content.

So unless you are willing to provide a pdf that actually produces the misprints I see no option to verify your claims.

Edit: Or to trouble-shoot the issue in a meaningful manner.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

To avoid confidentiality issues you could create a new file with placeholder text, make sure it also produces the print issues and then provide the file, the pdf and a scan or photograph of the faulty print.

[Sylah]

I was contemplating doing exactly that.

Thank you for trying to help out.

[Derek Cross]

I can’t wait to hear the denouement in this matter!

[Sylah]

I actually think I found the answer.

I DID save incorrectly.

It seems that I should remove the tics for "Preserve Photoshop Editing Capabilities" and "Optimize for Fast Web Preview" (in the window in my 3rd picture above), and also remember to save as a copy and not have a tic in "layers" (shown in my 4th picture above).

Apparently when you save a pdf without remove those tics, the resulting pdf is not a pure pdf format and thus can cause issues when printing out.

[Derek Cross]

This wouldn't have occurred if you'd selected (and still should select) PDF/X-4.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

The other PDF/X standards also rule out the possibility of the Photoshop file being included in the pdf.

[Sylah]

Actually all of the pdf/x standards does tic off "Optimize for Fast Web Preview" automatically.

Not sure if that makes the whole difference or not. But I was told not to have that a tic'ed off.

[defaultdn7t7zqgsev5]

I'm having the same problem!  I brought my pdf files - saved from Photoshop - to FEDEX, and over 50% would not print.  I brought them back as jpegs and none opened... I don't currently have Acrobat, and I was wondering if perhaps Adobe does something to force one to buy Acrobat?