Expert: Glen Demers - 8/28/2009

Question
I am the editor for a small newspaper.  16-20 pages monthly with a 5,000 distribution.  I am submitting pdf files created from Serif Page Plusx3 to my printer who is using indesign software.  The printer keeps telling me that my files "separate" and that the "black" print is coming out in four colors.  I cannot afford the adobe software and have found Serif Page Plus to be a good desktop publishing alternative, but i haven't been able to find the right combination of options in publishing to a PDF file that is compatible with Adobe Indesign.

Answer
Hi Maria,

I am not familiar with Serif Page Plus, but my guess is that it's making the pdf's in RGB color space. When InDesign separates this pdf's for color printing the black is then rendered in all four process colors.
Check the pdf options in Serif Page Plus and see if you can change the color space to CMYK, Make sure that the black you use in your pages is 0% Cyan, 0% Magenta, 0% Yellow and 100% Black.
If you can install third party joboptions for your pdf's use the PDF x-1a settings. These settings flatten pdf's and make sure they are CMYK and acceptable for commercial printing.
You may click this link for a more detailed explanation of pdf joboptions and how to add it to your distiller. http://is.gd/2EPN3

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