Get in there!

[Rehab]

Is it safe to save a PSD and place it into an InDesign document for print?

Have recently started work at a new company where the designers continuously use cut out images, saved as PSD's and then place them into InDesign documents so as to avoid the white backround when saving as EPS's

Is this a bad idea?

[jimking]

It's a good idea. It'll work fine.

[SurfPark]

Yeah, it works. Just make sure the PDS files are in CMYK format. The transparent background also works with EPS and TIFF.

[PrintDriver]

To "avoid the white background" in an eps you can change your screen preview on one image or all to High Quality display.

It's best to check with the printer you are using regarding using PSD format in InDesign. Most are up to speed on InD now so it isn't a problem but there are still a few out there that aren't believing it's the program du jour.

[Rehab]

Thanks for getting back guys -

Yeah, it works. Just make sure the PDS files are in CMYK format. The transparent background also works with EPS and TIFF.

However, I am alittle confused as whenever I save a colour image with clipping path as an EPS, it definitely saves with a white background.

[budafist]

Did you tick "Save Transparency" when you are saving as an eps?

[PrintDriver]

Object>Clipping Path>Photoshop Path (tip arrow)

Have you ever used InD or Quark before?

[Ned]

Or when you're importing, check "Show more options", and you can activate the Photoshop clipping path there.

One note about TIFF transparency (which was mentioned)... You have to have THE most up to date programs to handle it. Even Illustrator CS can't open a transparent TIFF! If you need alpha transparency (if you have soft edges or partial opacity), I would suggest PSD format, but if you can get away with hard-edged vector transparency, use a FLAT tiff with clipping path.

[PrintDriver]

You can feather the clipping path of a flattened tif in InD.

[Rehab]

Did you tick "Save Transparency" when you are saving as an eps?


I have checked the 'lock transparent pixels' box However it still retains the white.

[Rehab]

Object>Clipping Path>Photoshop Path (tip arrow)

Have you ever used InD or Quark before?

Have used InDesign, however only for basic DTP. When I follow your instruction above, I am then very reliant on the threshold to reduce the white line of pixels around the path of the photoshop EPS? Without it ever completely leaving a clean line.

I mean what I'm really wanting to know is - Is placing a PSD into the InDesign doc a risk for print?

[hewligan]

It really depends on your workflow.

Are you sending to your printer as pdf? If so, you're safe as houses. Well, for typical offset print jobs you're safe, anyway. I'm sure PD could bring up some fancy extra-big format stuff where it'll cause problems, but mostly it's plenty safe.

If you're sending raw files, then it really depends on how up to date your printer's software is. For the most part, it should still be fine, and I haven't had a problem with it for quite a while, but there are still some printers out there for whom it might be a problem.

So, in short: It's probably okay, but check with your printer to be sure.

[Rehab]

It really depends on your workflow.

Are you sending to your printer as pdf? If so, you're safe as houses. Well, for typical offset print jobs you're safe, anyway. I'm sure PD could bring up some fancy extra-big format stuff where it'll cause problems, but mostly it's plenty safe.

If you're sending raw files, then it really depends on how up to date your printer's software is. For the most part, it should still be fine, and I haven't had a problem with it for quite a while, but there are still some printers out there for whom it might be a problem.

So, in short: It's probably okay, but check with your printer to be sure.

Thats perfect, thanks for your help, and eleviating my panic.

[panzer]

as print driver said

http://www.heathrowe.com/tuts/knockout.asp?knockout=clippath