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Help: InDesign CS2 frame color problem

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ildfluen

Technical User
Apr 1, 2007
3
DK
Hi guys,

I really hope that you can help me out with this problem i'm having. It's bugging me real bad by now, cause i've tried everything i can think of. I'm new to InDesign so that might not be much compared to people in here.

Well, im making this rather simple poster for my local Pizzaria, or at least i thought it would be simple. Because its just a couple of pictures, a few graphical elements, some text and a few effects.

Now the problem lies in when i begin to print the poster. Everything looks just fine in InDesign and in the PDF, but when i print it theres color disturbances in the graphic elements that lays over each other. If i make a teal oval shape, and put a yellow star over it, the frame/box of the star makes the oval a different color, and the oval makes the background colors different. Its a bit hard to explain since im not English, so i hope you understand what i mean.

I've taken a photo of the print to help u understand my problem, and i've also uploaded the PDF that its printet from, and even the workfiles from InDesign.

You can find them here:
Photo of the print - PDF file - InDesign workfiles -

I can hardly imagine other people not having experienced this, so i really hope someone here can provide some help. I'd be really thankfull :)

Steffen
Denmark
 
...the root cause of this is the drop shadow effects in indesign, you have exported this to pdf to 1.6 (acrobat 7), this means transparency hasn't been flattened...

...unless your rip or output device supports this format you may encounter problems with output...

...have you tried flattening the file in export from indesign, export to pdf 1.3 (acrobat 4)?

...the other option is to print from Acrobat with 'Print as image' enabled in the advance options of Acrobat...

...to add:

If a document contains transparent objects, Acrobat flattens the document before printing it. Flattening removes transparency information and converts images to a format the printer can interpret. Adjust the transparency flattening to determine if transparency is causing the problem.

To adjust the transparency flattening:

1. Choose File > Print, and then click Advanced.

2. Select Transparency Flattening from the list on the left.

3. Adjust the Raster/Vector Balance:

-- If you print to an inkjet printer, drag the Raster/Vector Balance slider to the lowest setting.

-- If you print to a PostScript printer, drag the Raster/Vector Balance slider to the highest setting.

4. Select Convert All Text T o Outlines.

5. Deselect Clip Complex Regions , click OK, and then click Print.


Andrew

 
Thank you for your reply.. I have tried what you suggested, but more or less with same result.

Have you any other ideas for what could help ?

Steffen
Denmark
 
My first question would be...How are you printing this? You said the problem came in when you printed this. To what kind of device are you printing?

I think apepp's suggestion of printing to a PDF (Acrobat v. 4) file, choosing the High Quality Flattener setting in the print dialog box, should be your first step.

From the looks of the JPEG file, I would say this is a transparency issue. By creating an Acrobat v. 4 compatible file, you'll have flattened the transparency. If it looks okay, you're good to go.

My guess is that whatever you're sending the files to, cannot handle the transparency that is in the PDF (or the setting chosen when printing to that output device are not high enough).
 
i'm thinking a PDF/X1a would settle this deal whether you print to a Postscript RIP or a desktop printer.
I had no problem printing your PDF, but my workplace has fancy RIPs.
I'll try it tonight on my Epson iNkJet at home.
if your color is good, then transparency flattening is definitely your issue.
I'd hate to see you waste a bunch of ink experimenting with your current PDF.
Lykke til
Mark
 
Hi Mark,

Thank you for your reply and advise - unfortunately that didnt solve my problem either :/

I have a normal home-laserprinter (Brother HL-3020) on WinXP.

Any other suggestions on how to solve this ? :>

Steffen
Denmark
 
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