PDF files

[PhilM]

We are constantly having problems with our pdf files printing on the IGEN 4. It can be layering issues, colors dropping in or out, or even the box around type. Is there a consistant way to set up the files? Any hep would be greatly appreciated.

[buckeye]

You say "the box around type" - do you mean a white box? What version of pdf's are you sending to your iGen? Have you tried flattening them?

[PhilM]

I'm sorry. I probably should have included more info. We have the latest and greatest from Adobe and in In Design. What I am looking for is a checklist for opyimal digital printing.

[Magnus]

It sounds like you would have to normalize the PDFs or look at your rip-settings. Here you can find alot of good information: GWG | Home | Free tools for Print & Publishing

[RickS]

When we received our first iGen 4, Xerox said we needed to supply PDFx-1a PDFs. Which is Acrobat 4 or version 1.3. When I told them that was a 10 year old format, they replied that that was the least problematic format. We do have less problems if we flatten the transparencies which is one of the points of version 1.3. Not all files lend themselves to saving back this far though.
Rick

[Printease]

PhilM-

What RIP do you have on that iGen? Fiery, Creo or FreeFlow?

[lfelton]

It sounds like you would have to normalize the PDFs or look at your rip-settings. Here you can find alot of good information: GWG | Home | Free tools for Print & Publishing

+1 what Magnus said. We normalise files and have very nearly zero issues related to RIPs.

[RickS]

Freeflow at our iGen's.

[Lukas Engqvist]

PDFx1a:2003 is still a very valid format, there is nothing that can be printed that can't be saved in this format. IF you have unknown colour management downstream it is the best choice!

@RickS could you explain what you mean by "Not all files lend themselves to saving back this far though."
I know there is stitching, but that is only a problem if PDF is resampled after flattening.

The only issue I can think of that can be problematic is spot colours that should be process (and would give rise to strange transparency artifacts), but that isn't a PDF version problem but a problem of the creator not knowing or preparing the file to the intent.

[RickS]

You are right Lucas. I should have said WE have problems flattening some files back. The iGens do a better job converting PMS colors with their lookup tables and toners, so we generally leave them as spot colors. So the conversion to cmyk for the transparencies can get missed. It could very well be something else we are missing. Don't get me wrong, it's not like this is a common occurrence. It just trips us up once in a while.
Rick