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Yet another transparency question

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Eggles

Technical User
Jul 27, 2002
1,423
AU
I was recently asked to reprint an A3 poster made some months ago, when it printed perfectly. This time, there were problems. The background to the poster is a radial gradient created in InDesign CS2 using a CMYK colour and when I printed it (same printer, a PS3 Canon with a Fiery RIP) there was a distinct and abrupt change of colour at the edges of the gradient on the corners of the page. There are no spot colours in the file. My colour profiles have all been synchronised in Bridge. Any suggestions as to what the problem may be and what I can try to get it to print correctly? Even printing from a PDF hasn't resolved it.
 
Usually, when something printed well before, and then has problems on a second print, something in the Print settings is the culprit.

Assuming that you did not chnage anything like a RIP upgrade, new version of ID, etc, you might go over your print settings very carefully. You could see if you have High Resolution selected under Transparency flattener/Advanced tab. You could fool around with Source Space under Color management.

Since the problem occurred at the edges, it could also be a Bleed problem. You might check the bleed settings on the docuent and then make sure that you have Use Document Bleed settings selected in the Print window under Marks and Bleed section.

Using OSX 10.3.8 on a G4
 
I tried all combinations I could think of for both the Transparency settings and Source Space, and nothing helped (no new versions of the RIP or ID). I am mystified why I am having this problem. However, I didn't think to check the bleed settings, as I know in my default print styles, this is unselected (as it's pointless on an in-house printer). One more thing to check. I admit I have had my confidence shaken with regard to these settings now, as I thought I had most of it sorted. I think I will have to reread Adobe's PDFs on Color Management.
 
Eggles.

We sometimes run into this problem if the job was worked on a different computer then the one where the job is being curently worked. There might be different print styles for Indesign loaded on one computer vs. the other.

And if the software was reloaded or if the preferences were trashed these have all caused problems on jobs that ripped one way and now rip a totally different way.

I keep a copy of my Indesign Flattener Presets and Print Presets in case of emergencies.

info@prepress-online.com

"Tell'em we're comin', and hell's comin' with us.
 
In this case, it was the same computer that was used (only Mac in the workplace). So this was not the reason.

I don't have a copy of ID CS2 at home (where I am now) to check but what do you normally use for your settings for the Flattener when printing? In my case, a PS3 Canon CLC1180. I think my ID defaults to Medium, but perhaps with gradients it needs to be something else? Should it be High or Low (if these are the correct terms)?
 
I would try High for a transparency Flattner setting.
I have my own custom settings:

Raster/Vector Balance: 100
Line Art and Text Resoltion 2400 ppi
Gradient and Mesh Resolution 400 ppi
Convert all text to outlines: On
Convert all strokes to outlines: On
Clip Complex regions: off

I use to run into alot of transparency issues before I created these settings, I still once in a while - run into an issue, but not as much as I use too.

Now I use these setting for a Hi-end rip - Creo/Brisque, but I have used these same setting when I output lasers or creating ps files. I would try the defualt high setting that Indesign has to see what kind of results you get and try my settings as well.

info@prepress-online.com

"Tell'em we're comin', and hell's comin' with us.
 
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