PSD files not crisp when imported

[hippytrippygypsy]

I have a nice, crisp EPS file I downloaded from a clipart site - it's a black and white line art. In order to have a transparent background, I have saved the file as a PSD and imported it into InDesign (version 3). On screen it looks terrible, and when I send it to our RIP computer I can see that the edges are not crisp like they should be.

I am using Photoshop 8 (or CS). I have one layer showing the black line art and the transparency grid behind it. I am going to file - save as - file type is Photoshop PSD. In the Save Options box I have Layers checked and in the Color box I have ICC profiles checked.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[tperkins]

Have you tried convert the PhotoShop image to a one color bitmap? "Image>Mode>Bitmap" If it just line art, no screens or blends, then this is the way to go. Then just save it as a tif when imported it will give you the tranparent background and providing that the resolution is high enough give you the crisp output that you are looking for.

Tony Perkins

 

[jimoblak]

Are you certain that you have to take this into Photoshop to make a transparent background? Most clip art EPS files do not have backgrounds. You may be looking at a low-resolution preview in InDesign when it is placed. Use your view menu to display the original EPS in high resolution on screen. You can also right-click on the placed graphic to set the view setting to high resolution.

If this does not work and you do not have a vector illustration program that you can use to correct the graphic, do as tperkins notes. Open the EPS into Photoshop at the size that you want to print at and at 600 pixels per inch. When you convert it to bitmap mode and resave as a TIFF, you should see a tidy filesize.

- - picklefish - -
Why is everyone in this forum responding to me as picklefish?

 

[hippytrippygypsy]

Oh. My. God. You know that feeling when you just learned something that is going to make your life SO much easier? Jimoblak - I had no idea those view settings were there. I was on Typical Display, so you were right, once I set it to high quality I realized the background WAS transparent! I can't believe that . . . Thank you SO much!!!!!

Thanks for both replies, this website is a godsend for me - I don't have any co-workers who can help me at all!