printing problem with exported .pdf 3

[tallpaulchicago]

i use indesign to layout 11x17 posters for theatre companies. i create the title of the play in photoshop so that i can have an "outer glow" around the font. (i don't know how to create text in indesign with an "outer glow" effect.) i save the title as a .tif file and place it into the indesign file. when i need to print a mock-up for my client to view, i export the indesign file as a .pdf and print it from my epson stylus photo 1280 inkjet printer. the problem occurs at the area of the title of the play. the .tif file is saved with a transparent background, but the rectangular area around the title always prints a little darker on my inkjet printer. this, of course, looks strange and the client is always a little confused. i never have this problem when i send the file to a print shop for process printing. does anyone have any advice?.

 

[jmgalvin]

There are quite a few possibilities here.

First, Photoshop interprets color differently than Indesign and Illustrator. Something like a panton solid will read different in PS and ID. The easiest way around this, if you’re using similar cmyk colors in both apps, is to make the thing in PS and place in ID. Then use the eydropper in ID tool to grab the imported color and make a swatch. However, this problem should arise on both the real print and your proof so that’s probably not it.

Second, I’m guessing that the printer is rbg and interpreting certain imported cmyk in the pdf things incorrectly. You might try printing directly from ID and see what happens, You could also try exporting an rgb pdf (advanced section of pdf export window) from ID to print on your machine and see how that comes out.

Another thing you could try is to start with a PS doc with a transparent background. Then add a layer for the color you want as the background, Do your work and trash the colored background layer and save that tiff. Then insert that in the ID doc and see if it comes out better.


Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[jimoblak]

I'm going to guess that your inkjet printer does not have the optional PostScript support.

What you are seeing is an effect of the transparency effects on a non-postscript printer. jmgalvin's tips are helpful in any other situation but the only way that you are going to resolve this is to get a PostScript printer or flatten your PSD file before placing in InDesign.

For further info, go to adobe.com and search for the keyword 'transparency' to learn about caveats of using transparency. These effects are only supported on better printers.

 

[RegistrationMark]

Try printing the file in Separations instead of Composite. I assume your printer recombines separations so that you get one printout in color, rather than 4 black and white "plates". You can glow text in InDesign using the Object--Drop Shadow menu. Set the X and Y offsets to zero, and set your Blur, Spread and Noise to your desired effect.
Mark

 

[tallpaulchicago]

seems like the problem is that my printer cannot handle the postscript printing. the specs for my printer list postscript printing as "yes, optional." does this mean i have to buy separate software? or, is there a way to turn on postscript printing somewhere in the printing preferences?
also, i have indesign 2, and it doesn't have the settings for spread and noise in the object>drop shadow menu.
i guess i'll just continue to email the client mock-ups of the designs.

 

[jmgalvin]

Yes. If you go to epson.com and search for "rip" you'll come across a few. Click on them to see which one supports your machine. Make sure to see if the rip works with your operating system. It should be listed under specs or something.

Before you do that, try exporting an RGB pdf and see how it prints for you. When you get the pdf export window, select Press quality and click on the Advanced pane in the next window. in Color, pick rgb. In destination profile, pick Document RGB. Print that and see if it looks ok. If yes you can use that for your local print, but send the regular cmyk to the printer.

RIPS (for postscript and cmyk printing) can be a little tricky to use.



Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[jmgalvin]

Forgot something. Have you tried printing directly out of ID? You could try that too and see how things work.

Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4