Expert: Glen Demers - 12/3/2009

Question
When we create PDFs through Indesign, either by exporting or making postscript files and running them through Acrobat Distiller we often end up with frame lines around image/text boxes. These only show up when viewing the PDFs on screen, when they actually print, they disappear.  Do you know what causes this? It seems to happen more often around items that have a style, usually a drop shadow, applied.

Answer
Hi Jason,

Whenever you have effects such as drop shadows the file transitions from vector to bitmap in those areas. The lines you are seeing are probably artifacts from this flattening. There are many things to try and correct this.

In Acrobat make sure in preferences you have smooth lines and smooth graphics checked. Try viewing the file at different sizes to see if it's just a display glitch.

In InDesign in the print dialog do not allow printing of grids, guides and non-printing items. Adjust your flattener settings to a higher resolution. Adobe has an excellent resource for printing with transparent objects here: http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/creativesuite/articles/cs3ip_printprodtrans.pd...

Hope this helps,
Glen Demers
Prepress Technician, Best Printing Online
www.bestprintingonline.com

For more InDesign tips please visit our help pages here: http://www.bestprintingonline.com/indesign.htm

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