Hi.
I haven't posted for a while so here goes. Last week I received a flyer with a gradient across the whole of the front. The gradient was created in IDCS5.
On top of the gradient background are other images and text. On screen in ID all looked great, and when exported to High Quality pdf, all looked great.
However, when converted to pdfx1a:2001, the usual artifacts show up, i.e fine white lines where there are effects or transparencies. There was also a stepped effect on the gradient, particularly when transitioning from green to blue.
As I've had no issues with artifacts showing up in print in the past (and having had reassurances from Indesign Secrets that they shouldn't be pritned ;) ) I went ahead with the print. When it arrived, the gradient stepping showed.
When I approached the printers about he was none too helpful, so when I approached another for the reprint, their designer helpfully advised me that rather than relying on ID to effectively deal with transparencies and filters, that instead I export the image elements out as a high res pdf using the best setting under High Quality, open the pdf in Photoshop and save as a high res tiff. He also said that not relying on the software was common practice?
The high quality pdf showed no gradient stepping, but when converted to tiff, it did but to a lesser extent.
I went ahead with the print and it came back okay, but still not a wonderfully smooth gradient – still some element of stepping – again particularly from green to blue.
The process that the printer's designer suggested, though possibly a workround, is not ideal if working with lengthier document in which there are gradient background, filters and effects. But using ID potentially leads to poor print results.
Am I doing something wrong or missing something?
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