Indesign CS problems
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- RIZ
Has anyone had any trouble with converting Indesign CS files to pdf, then offset printing them?
Strange things have happened with drop shadows over block colours and images - not cool, especially when they didn't show up on laser-proofs for a 44 page magazine.
Any advice or tips to prevent this happening again would be highly appreciated.
thanks.
- Duane0
This may not be the cause of your problem, but be wary of using transparency effects in InDesign or Illustrator. They seem to generate problems.
- RIZ0
hmmm, it does seem strange that the effects are there to be used, and save you time by not having to use photoshop to produce them, but they are dodgey.
Surely they are there to be used without problems don't you think?
- D_Dot0
Maybe you need to flatten the drop shadow layer?
Not sure.
- Duane0
I can't recall exactly, but I seem to remember that transparency is not supported by post script or something. The first time I ran into it was with a poster I developed in Illustrator. Upon going to print, the printer rejected my file because I used 'multiply' on some vector art placed over images. They told me it wasn't supported. It does seem silly that it would even be an option if it doesn't print though.
- scottstoel0
Adobe is always offering features that exceed the ability current rips have.
One thing you could do when you create your pdf is set the transparency flattener to ignor spread overides (your spread flattening default may be set to ignore transparency.)
Another thing is to print the file to postscript (making sure your transpaerncy flattener is set the way you want it, then print to postscript. Then distill the file using the pdfx1a setting (Acrobat 6). It's a great way to preflight the job. If you can't make a pdf this way, chances are it wouldn't print anyway.
But even with this, your transparency flattened pdf may be too complicated for your rip to comprehent, because in the process of flattening you file now has so many paths, it is too large to rip.
But in the end, I think your printer just isn't keeping up with the technology. There are ways around that problem (transparency), and if they can't help you out, you might want to try another printer.
- Beech0
You cannot apply any of indesigns transparency effects (like drop shadows) on spot colours. Its not supported in the postscript.
Other than that all the other advice covered most things. Sometimes i create version 1.3 pdfs (ie. acrobat 4) because they are simpler and work with older rips/postscript etc.
- RIZ0
this is a great response, thanks everyone.
- Rand0
I recently used multiply for a block of color overlapping a cmyk raster image for a print job and it worked out ok-- maybe because it was simple?
- Gorbie0
the problem comes from flattening transparency. I worked for a printer who used a PDF workflow (AGFA) and this happened all the time.
While there isn't any certain way to tell exactly how the conversion will react - it's best to stay away from transparency effects over spot colors, gradients, and complex vector artwork.
This is not your printer's "fault" really. As mentioned before - Adobe is ahead of technology again. the real reasons that these options are available is that 1) PDF 6 supports native transparency (doesn't need flattening even though postscript level 3 hardly supports this) which means 2) PostScript level 4 will support these kinds of layouts but has NOT been released yet, but is coming "soon".
there is one PDF workflow RIP software that will support native transparency but it is hardly standard and the name eludes me at the moment.
The common work around that prepress techs will use is to literally convert your layout into a flattened graphic in photoshop and print from that. most people wouldn't kow the difference anyway - but i found it unsettling that they would do that.... so try and keep it simple for now - and as always - wait for things to work as advertised.