Drop Shadow banding off press (ID2.0.2)

[SiriK]

I am using InDesign 2.0.2 and have recently (past 9 months or so) been getting icky drop shadows. I am placing .tif files and then applying the drop shadow in ID to the frame. The shadow starts banding the color (CMYK) the closer it gets to white and has a defined end point instead of a smooth blend from the drop shadow color to the paper. When the drop shadow is over another color it doesn't do this.

When it's printed on the office color printer this problem doesn't show up, but after coming back from the printer it does. I don't know what methods and equipment they use (...I know I should...) and haven't had any luck finding out the cause after speaking with them.

Has anyone had any similar problems or any idea as to why this is happening now when it wasn't a year ago?

[Scott_Falkner@adobeforums.com]

InDesign's drop shadows aren't nearly as good as Photoshop's. One huge advantage in PS is added noise (I like 2% -- more satisfying than skim).

[Bob_Levine]

What are your drop shadow settings?

Bob

[SiriK]

x-0 y-.05 blur-.1 and I keep it at Normal/50%

[Bob_Levine]

What color? Have you tried muliply as the blend mode?

Bob

[SiriK]

I've used many different cmyk colors - the most severe banding happens with the darker colors. And I haven't tried changing the blend modes. The strange thing about this problem is that it wasn't happening before with the exact same settings. The last printing (which I haven't gotten back yet) I tried doing a few different things so I'll see if anything changes then.

[Bob_Levine]

Multiply should fix it. Normal will knock out anything under it and give
you the hard edge you're seeing.

Bob

[SiriK]

Thanks, Bob, I'll give that a try!