PDF file printing with shading

[Ccopy]

We are currently printing to Docucolors and a common problem we are running into when printing PDF's are documents that have shading from one color to white, it doesn't print a smooth transition in color...it will have a line between the 2 colors and often pixalise some of the images in the files. Sorry, thats the best way I can explain it. Thanks in advance.

[Tech]

Check your output preview on screen and I'm betting you won't find anything wrong on screen. This sounds a lot like your printer's limitation rather than PDF problem. Perhaps a LPI/resolution problem?

[powertieke]

Could be bad flattening in the printer's rip. Did you try the "print as Image" option in the acrobat print -> advanced menu?

[Lukas Engqvist]

Is it a spot colour? I would look at linearisation of the press, or clipping below certain percentages as possible issue, very hard to say without seeing. Do you have possibility to post a screen shot, or a simplified PDF and a photo/scan of the issue when printed?

[BAB Print]

We had a similar problem for a long time and it was finally solved by using the gradated pattern when calibrating instead of the "random" color patches. It seemed that when using the random, if there was a slight variation in the small dot patches it would cause a hard line. However, when we used the inline gradient, they seemed to be more consistent. So basically I'm in total agreement with Lukas with this and the warning to watch out for spot colors! They cause tons of problems with gradients especially if transparency is used. Convert them before RIPing. Good luck!