InDesign Frame visible when printing

Graphic Design
#1

Hi all,

I have noticed sometimes when I print a design from InDesign, there is a faint line where the frame was. For example, I had a photo of a person with the photo background removed overlapping a solid circle, and the circular frame was slightly visible through the person’s forehead.

Anyone know why this happens and if it’s possible to not have this happen?

Thanks!

#2

Probably too screamingly obvious, but … I assume you checked that the frame didn’t have a stroke applied by default when you first created it?

#3

I’ve seen those edge lines in PDFs, but I’ve never seen them appear when printed.

I Googled it. There are lots of reasons and theories. I have no idea which, if any, fully explain it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+creates+the+thin+light+lines+in+PDFs%3F&oq=what+creates+the+thin+light+lines+in+PDFs%3F&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCTQzNDg2ajBqOagCALACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

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#4

It’s cos you’re flattening the pdf possibly using pdf x1a

Use pdf x4a

Transparency in the image causes this. it’s a screen artefact and usually doesn’t show in print

The reason is when the pdf is flattened it directs the transparent image with the background, causing the image to be made of different pieces.

Keeping transparency live using pdfx4a will mean the image is not broken up in little pieces.

1 Like
#5

Oh you said when you print from InDesign

I never print directly from InDesign but it is the same principle I described.

Could be a limitation of your printer device.

Export to PDF x4a and print from acrobat

#6

It could also be an interaction of transparency and Pantone spot colors.
PDF x4a should fix it,
but if printing directly from Indesign onto a desktop inkjet, you sometimes have to go into the Ink Manager and click the button to convert all Spots to process (you can unclick it to get your Pantones back.)

The transparency or Pantone can be anywhere in the document. It doesn’t have to be involved with or touching the object giving you the issue.

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#7

Yes, this is exactly the thing that is happening.

#8

Sorry, no I was printing from a pdf, or rather, my printer printed it from the pdf I gave them. I will try the PDF x4a format, thanks! I’ve never really understood the different pdf formats, that could definitely be it.

Yes – I think the issue is when there is a frame that contains a placed .PSD with transparency over other things.