IDD + embedded illustrator with transp. - Frame artifacts appear in output

[davidkanderson@adobeforums.com]

I've placed ai and psd docs into my IDD docs, and have the following problem:
I output to pdf (using the press settings) from IDD, and send the pdf to my printer. The printed proof shows artifacts around elements that were "placed" from illustrator and have transparency (these artifacts, which amount to a discoloring of elements under the imported elements - in the shape of the IDD frame of the imported element generally, are not visible on screen). Specifically, the color within the IDD frame for that object is off. There is a not-great fix of carefully editing the frame to match the exact shape of the element...but for drop shadows this doesn't work, because the area under the shadow is discolored.
Printing from the IDD doc directly does not solve the problem.
My printer says they've seen this before with IDD docs and transparency effects. What can I do?

David Anderson

[davidkanderson@adobeforums.com]

Thanks.

Every document (ai, psd, idd) is set to CMYK.
However, how do I set transparency blend space to CMYK - and in which application?

the "press" settings default to pdf 1.3 (acrobat 4)...with some printers I've found that creates less problems than with setting it to 1.5 (acrobat 6).

Perhaps I will export 2 versions of each pdf and see which my printer can best work with.

It seems like transparency creates huge problems, and unpredictability with printers. Is there a reliable way to avoid this? Are there any books/sites/etc you'd recommend for making sure a transparency-heavy and embedded/placed docs-heavy project gets printed correctly?

Thanks,
David

[Bob_Levine]

The reliable way to avoid this by using printers with up to date
equipment and knowlege.

The transparency blend space is set in InDesign under the edit menu.

Bob